White Papers

Thought leadership from edweek.org's special advertisers.

Data-Driven Decision Making: Analyzing Your Data to Improve Student Learning

Sponsor: SAS Topic: Accountability Posted: March 2009

With funding shortfalls and calls for even greater accountability, school and district administrators need greater insight to face a future that requires them to reduce costs, implement efficient and effective academic programs, ensure that funding is used appropriately, use resources strategically, and provide all students with an equal opportunity to achieve their full potential.

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Onward to Algebra: The Case for Mathematics Intervention for Struggling Students in the Intermediate Grades

Sponsor: CompassLearning Topic: Instruction Posted: January 2009

This white paper provides a brief overview of the essential mathematics concepts and operations that must be covered before a student is ready for algebra, and related instructional strategies.

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Doing More With Less: Best Practices for Reducing Costs and Improving Quality

Sponsor: Blackboard Topic: Professional development Posted: May 2009

With the nation’s economic challenges and the prospect of state and local budget shortfalls, school systems everywhere are facing budgetary pressures and the possibility of significant reductions. Districts are seeking solutions for reducing costs without negatively affecting the quality and scope of their core instructional programs. "Doing More With Less" examines how districts are discovering new and highly promising answers to their top priorities while still effectively managing costs.

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Smart Options: Investing the Recovery Funds for Student Success

Sponsor: Coalition for Student Success Topic: Stimulus, Student Achievement Posted: May 2009

The federal government’s unprecedented $100 billion investment in our nation’s public schools through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) offers a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform public education. We believe that states and districts must use these funds to act smartly and with focus to set the groundwork for real student improvement for decades to come — preparing many more young people to graduate high school ready for college and careers.

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Creating a Visual Learning Environment Using 21st Century Die-Cutters

Sponsor: Varitronics Topic: Learning Environment Posted: April 2009

An overview of academic benefits of incorporating cutouts into curriculum and transitioning from manual die-cutting instruments to electronic systems.

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Guide to Mathematics Intervention Solutions: A Roadmap for Student Success

Sponsor: Carnegie Learning Topic: Intervention Posted: February 2009

In this report, we will help navigate the complex and under-defined educational category of intervention solutions.

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Implementing the Gradual Release of Responsibility Model in Your Reading Classroom

Sponsor: Recorded Books Topic: Reading Posted: January 2009

Through a three-step process that gradually releases responsibility for learning to students, struggling readers can improve comprehension, build vocabulary, and increase self-efficacy.

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Interactive Whiteboards in 1:1 Learning Environments

Sponsor: SMART Technologies Topic: Instruction, Technology Posted: October 2008

What is the place of interactive whiteboards in 1:1 settings? This paper examines the critical role they play, particularly in the way they support differentiated or personalized learning.

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A Layered Approach to Laptop Security for Education

Sponsor: Absolute Software Topic: Technology, Security Posted: September 2008

As school districts invest in laptop computers as every-day learning tools, they face greater risk of theft, unauthorized software installation and hardware tampering. These incidents may also have serious legal consequences, potentially violating government regulations.

This whitepaper outlines a multi-layered strategy for protecting laptops that combines traditional measures with technology for recovering stolen computers, remotely deleting data and tracking computers outside school facilities. Learn how Internet-based IT asset tracking simplifies the management of school laptops and reduces the cost of 1:1 programs.