Shannon Raines

Many schools use lotteries to determine which students are admitted to programs with limited space. It's a useful way to handle enrollment fairly and consistently. Even though lotteries are common, they're not always well understood. If the process isn't managed carefully, it can quickly become confusing for both staff and families.  What Is a School ... Read more

There’s a growing question in today’s classrooms: Should schools continue with traditional grading or switch to standards-based grading? Both grading models have their place, but their differences can impact student motivation, instructional feedback, and clarity in communication.  Educators are evaluating both systems to ensure that grades accurately reflect learning objectives. This blog breaks down both ... Read more

Summer gives educators something rare during the school year: time to reflect. With the rush of daily routines on hold and a year’s worth of insight from students and staff, it’s a natural time to step back and think about what’s working and what might need a closer look. One area that often needs a ... Read more

Implementing a new Student Information System (SIS) is a major undertaking. The right SIS can streamline daily school operations, from enrollment to grading, attendance, and state compliance. But before your district can benefit from a new SIS, there's a critical challenge to navigate: migrating your district's data.  Whether your district is moving on from a ... Read more

Technology touches nearly every aspect of school operations, from managing enrollment to collecting and analyzing data, meeting compliance requirements, and more. Adopting many disparate Edtech solutions often creates long-term limitations as needs change, system costs rise, and integrations become more complex. In response, districts are shifting their approach to technology. Instead of relying on piecemeal ... Read more

As the school year winds down, educators and administrators turn their attention to planning for the next academic year. Final grades are being entered, celebrations are underway, and classrooms are slowly being packed up for summer. Amid all this activity, one important task should rise to the top of every district’s priority list: cleaning up ... Read more

Academic progress, attendance, behavior, social-emotional learning, and family engagement all shape a student’s journey. But too often, schools rely on multiple disconnected EdTech systems to collect and track this data. When data is spread across different platforms, educators can struggle to see the full picture, making it harder to identify at-risk students and provide the ... Read more

Classrooms are filled with students who have different strengths, challenges, and learning styles. Some understand new concepts quickly, while others need more time or alternative approaches. To support all learners, many educators use strategies like differentiated learning and personalized learning.  Choosing the right approach depends on factors like classroom size, student independence, and available resources. ... Read more

Schools face increasing pressure to support students’ academic achievement and ensure their social and emotional well-being. As classrooms become more diverse in their learning needs, educators are expected to deliver a wide range of student support services. To meet these demands, educators need systematic, evidence-based approaches that can flex and adapt to meet the needs ... Read more