Written By Joseph Deem Ed.D. Student screentime is defined as any time spent at school on a virtual device such as a computer, television, or phone. Student screentime is becoming a controversial issue with a backlash (techlash) growing within parent…
The Importance of District Wide Systems for Effective Schools
Written by Joseph Deem Ed.D. To achieve ideal student results, districts must be systems driven. Effective systems require district-wide adherence. The systems must be monitored and supportive. At a minimum, the systems must include: High-quality standards-based curricula Calendars that define…
Positive effects of Handwriting and “Paper and Pencil” Math
Written By Joseph Deem Ed.D. Recent studies point to the positive learning effects of handwriting over word processing . In the paper titled The Neuroscience Behind Writing: Handwriting vs. Typing Giuseppe Marano et al (2025) discovered that typing engages fewer neural…
Dispelling Anti-Achievement Mythology Why Rigorous Standards and Achievement Tests are Essential
Written By Joseph Deem Ed.D. Myth 1 Rigorous standards and achievement tests stifle creativity. Myth 2 Rigorous standards and achievement tests always narrow the curriculum. Myth 3 Rigorous standards and achievement tests inevitably discriminate. A Misguided Trend is…
Many Students Are Not Competent Writers
Written By Joseph Deem Ed.D. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress, three-quarters of 12th and 8th graders lack proficiency in writing, and 40 percent of high school juniors who took a recent ACT writing exam lacked the reading…
The Evolution of the Competent Learner Concept and How It Benefits Students
Written By Joseph Deem Ed. D Merriam Webster defines competence as having essential or adequate ability or qualities. In an educational setting, competence means having the necessary behaviors, ability, knowledge, or skill to enable learning. As an educator, competence means…
The relationship between Academic English, English Language development and Standards Plus Lessons
According to recent research (2021) conducted by the Linguistic Minority Research Institute at the University of California, “Learning Academic English is one of the surest, most reliable ways of attaining socio-economic success in the United States today.” As educators, our…