Rachel Langan
A New Day, Same Old WCASD
Today's post begins the same way yesterday's post ended: We have fought the good fight, finished the race, and remained faithful to our...
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Rachel Langan
- Nov 7
Thank You for Your Support!
A huge THANK YOU to all who have supported us with your kind words, financial support, and the sharing of time and talents as you...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 6
FAFSA Applications Fell After COVID — And For Many Incoming College Freshmen, They Haven’t Recovered
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the dreaded federal form that needs to completed annually by any US student (as well...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 5
Covid: Learning losses were just one consequence. The connection losses were more significant.
The Power of School Relationships: How Restoring Connections Will Help Accelerate Postsecondary Success By David Adams October 27, 2023...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 4
What is K-Shaped Learning Recovery? And is this happening in WCASD?
K-shaped recovery is when "one leg — the strong students — have trended upward while the other leg — the struggling students — remains...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 3
Open Letter from Stacey Whomsley
Dear WCASD Voter, It’s hard to believe that just two short years ago I was preparing for the 2021 election cycle. It has been an honor...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 3
What happens when Everybody Wins?
Meritocracy or mediocrity? Grade inflation vs grade conflation. As high grades get easier and easier to achieve, the highest grades can...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 2
Solutions: Invite the Public to Help Decide What Stays and Goes in the District Budget
WCASD's budget has grown on an average of $10 million per year and is now over $302 million annually. Since the current board seems...
Rachel Langan
- Nov 1
Is WCASD looking at the effects of chronic absenteeism and academics?
We know that WCASD students (particularly minority and identified students, see page 19 of this board document) experienced high rates of...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 31
Dear WCASD Voters:
Your vote matters, and we very much need your vote this election! Back to Basics WC has worked incredibly hard over the last year to...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 30
Use of Chat GPT, absenteeism, post-graduation plans among teens explored in new national poll.
Today's post explores results from a national survey, where 1 out of 5 teens say they missed 15 or more days of school last year....
Rachel Langan
- Oct 29
30% of WCASD 3rd Graders Read Below Grade Level
PSSA Scores for WCASD 3rd graders: 2023 = 30% reading below grade level (see page 2) 2022 = 27% reading below grade level 2021 = 22%...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 28
Despite K-2 Reading Gains, Results Flat for 3rd Grade ‘COVID Kids’
Amplify researchers say they’re optimistic about the outcome and suspect “things could’ve gotten worse” without efforts to curb learning...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 27
Smart phones and the mental health crisis.
Yesterday we looked at how the UK will be banning smartphones at school. Today's post links to several related articles on the topic of...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 26
UK: Banning Smartphones at Schools = Higher Test Scores, Less Anxiety, More Exercise
Teachers in the U.K. will soon be prohibiting mobile phone use during the school day. Experts suggest the U.S. should consider doing the...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 25
Generation Lost: The Pandemic’s Lifetime Tax
Students’ Covid learning losses portend a future workforce with fewer skills, lower earnings. See full article here. The learning loss...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 24
We need YOUR help on Election Day
Do you have 2-4 hours to spare on Election Day, Tuesday November 7th? We need volunteers to work the polls (training provided) by...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 24
How Have Schools Improved Since the Pandemic? What Teachers Had to Say:
Educator's view: In technology, mental health, and nurturing and solutions-oriented environments, COVID provided lessons schools have...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 23
Silence vs Violence
“Schools that choose to speak out about social or political issues will also face the dilemma of deciding when to weigh in and when to...
Rachel Langan
- Oct 21
Four Things to Know About Lowest ACT Scores in More Than Three Decades
See this post for context on the ACT, and see this post about how 20% fewer WCASD students are taking the SAT than they were just two...
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