The research of Thomas Guskey, professor of educational policy studies and evaluation, is featured in two new publications.  First is a chapter entitled All Our Children Learning: New Views on the Work of Benjamin S. Bloom for “Engaging Every Learner”, and second is an interview with the Kentucky Association of School Councils entitled, Using Assessments as an Integral Part of the Instructional Process.

“Educators today are deeply concerned with improving the quality of instruction, reducing achievement gaps, and ensuring that all students learn well,” said Guskey.  “This chapter describes how [Benjamin] Bloom conceptualized and addressed these problems, and the success that he and his students achieved in resolving them through the use of mastery learning strategies.”

Bloom was an educational psychologist, former president of the American Educational Research Association, and author of “Taxonomy of Educational Objectives.”  His research centered on the idea that all children can learn well given appropriate conditions.  He stressed the importance of focusing instruction on higher level cognitive skills and the benefits of involving students in engaging learning tasks as a means of ensuring student success.

According to the Hope Foundation, “Engaging Every Learner” offers educational leaders key concepts and strategies for framing discussions about closing the equity gap and ensuring high achievement for all learners.  This book is a part of an educational series called The Soul of Educational Leadership and is useful to all schools, districts, and learning communities.

The book was a joint effort of the Hope Foundation, the American Association of School Administrators and the National Association of Elementary School Principals.

Guskey’s interview with the Kentucky Association of School Councils was published in their Spring 2007 issue of “Insights.”  In the interview, Guskey answered questions centered on the use of assessment and how it helps students achieve proficiency, the role of technology in assessment, and what individual school councils can do to ensure goals are met.

The Kentucky Association of School Councils is a non-profit organization whose mission is to help parents, teachers, principals and school officials make decisions that promote academic success in students throughout Kentucky.

More information about “Engaging Every Learner” is available on the Hope Foundation website at www.hopefoundation.org, and Guskey’s interview can be read in its entirety at www.kasc.net

Updated on April 16, 2007 14:22 by the Webmaster - Content by Brad Duncan