One-Size Does Not Fit All: Unlearning Traditional Education Systems
A recent commentary in EdWeek by Christopher Dede, a professor in learning technologies at the Harvard Graduate School of Education argues that “the biggest barrier we face in this process of reinventing our (what will soon be) obsolete educational models is not learning, but unlearning. We have to let go of deeply held, emotionally valued […]
Showing up for Akron
Showing up is just the start, but we need to start somewhere. Sometimes we have to start, or restart with a clearer vision in mind. I think of this when I think about the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for Akron and especially our children in Akron Public Schools. Showing up is the important first starting […]
Progress with Privacy: New Portal for Out of School Time Providers
Impact: nowadays, that seems to be the watchword of the nonprofit sector as we engage more deeply with students both in and out of school. For-profit organizations have long been able to assess their impact using financial measures like net profit margins, profitability ratios, return on investment, etc. But for nonprofits, where success is not […]
Equity in education: Leveling the playing field for all students
After many years Congress recently updated the former No Child Left Behind Act, and replaced it with the new Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA.) ESSA essentially answers criticisms about perceived federal oversight into local educational standards and accountability decisions by reverting many decisions back to the states. Under ESSA, the U.S. Education Secretary shall not […]
The purpose of higher-ed: an either-or proposition
When it comes to a well-rounded culture and productive society, which do we want: someone who is a critical thinker, writer, broadly exposed to humanities and arts, and a skilled listener, perhaps with some hands-on work experience? Or, do we want someone who has acquired skills in a particular field of study who can apply […]
It’s About Time…for Common Core and Quality Teaching
After a year of implementation, and countless hours of prep time by teachers and school administrators figuring out how to administer and use the assessments for math and English language arts, PARCC has gone down in flames. PARCC, which stands for the Partnership for Assessments for Readiness of College and Careers, is a consortium of […]
If you missed our “Understanding Collaboration” workshop last year, check this out!
BVU: The Center for Nonprofit Excellence, along with The Foundation Center, is offering a great no-fee workshop May 14 on how nonprofits can collaborate. There are so many options from which to choose – new ways of collaborating that meet your mission and organizational identity, but can save money and better serve your constituents. Check […]
“Turning Values Into Metrics” workshop videos now available
After our recent workshop conducted by Summit Education Initiative on outcomes measurement and evaluation, we have created short videos from the workshop for reference. You can search through several topics and perhaps find one that will help guide your consideration about outcomes and impact for your organization. We hope you find these vignettes useful.
GAR President Christine Mayer announces new arts landscape assessment
GAR Foundation president Christine Mayer today announced the release of a new comprehensive assessment of arts and culture in Summit County. The study was funded by GAR Foundation as well as the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Click on this press release for the highlights. For a web-link to the full report and […]
GAR Foundation Awards more than $2 million to local nonprofits at its November distribution meeting
For a list of G R Foundation’s grants awarded at our November 14, 2013 meeting, please click here.