How successful students use LMS tools – confirming our hunches

(Blackboard) By John Whitmer, Ed. D. — Within Blackboard’s data science group, we have an active practice researching how our technologies impact student achievement. We do this research to improve our products, of course, but also to share our findings and insights with the broader education community.  Today, I’d like to share some recent research insights […]

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ACT report bashes test-optional policy

(The Ithacan) By Staff Writers — A report released by the ACT program in late September asserted that test-optional admission policies at colleges and universities are not beneficial. However, Ithaca College administrators, faculty and students said test-optional policies at the college have been worthwhile. The report released by the ACT in September found that test-optional policies do […]

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History of Test Prep: ACT Offers First Accommodations for English-Language Learners

(Education Week)– ACT Inc., announced Monday that it will provide, for the first time, accommodations for English-learners who take its college-entrance exam. The options will become available in the fall of 2017. Students will have to apply for them through their school counselor’s office. The accommodations announced Monday include: More time on the test: up to […]

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George Washington U. gets more diverse after ditching admission test mandate

(The Washington Post) By Nick Anderson — A year after switching to a test-optional admissions policy, George Washington University said this week that its latest freshman class is the most racially diverse in the school’s history. GW, the largest university in the District of Columbia, has in the past several years sought to shed its […]

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Remember When: Get to Know the Trump Education Transition Team

(Edweek) By Alyson Klein — The folks on President-elect Donald Trump’s education transition team will help set the policy course—and likely, even appoint key personnel—for the new administration. Their backgrounds could provide clues on the direction the Trump administration wants to go on K-12. Here’s a look: James Manning Trump’s transition team told reporters Monday […]

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