BetterLesson

This week on Lessons Learned, Matt Kennard is joined by Luyen Chou, Co-Founder and CEO of DeweyLearn, Inc., to discuss the impact of AI on professional learning. From turning classroom data into actionable insights to helping educators strengthen practice through multimodal feedback, Luyen shares how DeweyLearn is making professional learning more timely, precise, and human-centered. This episode offers K–12 leaders and educators an optimistic look at how AI can enhance—not replace—the essential human elements of great teaching. 🎧 Listen now (link in comments)!

Our approach to strategic scheduling and district resource allocation isn't about imposing solutions—it's about integrating data to illuminate priorities. Here's how we partnered with Racine Unified School District to transform their resource allocation: 🔍 Deep Data Analysis We analyzed student transcripts, staffing patterns, bell schedules, and how time was being used across all 17,000 students. 🎯 Collaborative Priority Setting Rather than prescribing solutions, we presented opportunities around pathway realignment, academic intensity, and resource allocation—then asked: "Where do you want to focus?" 📊 Evidence-Based Decision Making We provided objective analysis that removed emotion from difficult conversations and let the numbers guide strategic choices. The result? Racine identified how to increase instructional time and improve postsecondary pathways without additional costs, because the data revealed opportunities to reinvest what they already had. 👇 Watch Dr. Steven Gering, Director of School Success at BetterLesson, explain our partnership approach and how data analysis drives transformation. #K12Partnerships #DataDriven #EducationConsulting #StrategicScheduling

"When this is implemented, it will be championed by teachers and principals—the people who do it every day. Not just a district decision being forced on them." –Emily DeBaker, Chief of Staff at Racine Unified School District The best transformations are owned by those who implement them. Racine's approach to strategic scheduling change offers a masterclass in sustainable reform. The process included: ✅ Transparent data sharing with leadership teams ✅ Stakeholder workshops facilitated by BetterLesson experts ✅ Committee-driven solutioning ✅ Intentional inclusion of diverse voices, including potential skeptics Racine Unified's investment in collaborative processes ensures the transformation will stick because it belongs to everyone who makes it work daily. 👇 Watch Emily share their approach to building buy-in and sustainable change. #ChangeManagement #K12Leadership #CollaborativeLeadership #SustainableReform

Strong teacher-student relationships are the foundation of every student’s classroom experience. RPPL (Research Partnership for Professional Learning)’s Reprioritizing Relationships: Using Teacher Professional Learning to Strengthen Classroom Connections synthesizes what research tells us about how professional learning can help teachers:  ✅ Build stronger 1:1 connections with students  ✅ Foster supportive classroom climates  ✅ Improve student outcomes across academics, engagement, attendance, and mental health Read how schools can put it into practice at the link in the comments 👇

This week was a big one for us on Lessons Learned: our host Matt Kennard sat down with Dr. Thomas Guskey, author of the Guskey Framework for evaluating professional learning, to talk about teacher growth, system-level support, and strategic leadership. Drawing on decades of experience as a teacher, principal, and researcher, Dr. Guskey explains why all professional development planning must start with student outcomes, how organizational support often makes or breaks instructional success, and why small, measurable wins are essential for sustainable change. The conversation also explores how technology and AI are reshaping professional learning and assessment, as well as strategies for demonstrating ROI from federal funding. If you're a K-12 leader working to prioritize PD resources or adapt your organization's support in the midst of a lot of uncertainty, this episode is one for you! 🎧 Listen now (link in comments)

What if you could add nearly a year of instructional time—without hiring more teachers? Racine Unified School District partnered with BetterLesson to audit their instructional time, transcripts, and student pathways. What they discovered revealed untapped opportunities to increase learning time and serve their 17,000 students effectively. Key insights from our recent webinar with Racine's Chief of Staff Emily DeBaker: 🔍 More course options ≠ better outcomes: RUSD’s extensive course catalog—intended to engage student curiosity—was actually hindering student success. Between outdated topics like keyboarding and redundant electives, student journeys were overly complex, making staffing inefficient. 📊 Master schedules distribute your most strategic resources: Racine's 8-period schedule actually provided 25% less instructional time than traditional schedules. Adopting a 6 or 7-period schedule could unlock up to a full year of English instruction, spread across four years. ⚡ Data drives transformation: Rather than imposing solutions, Racine spent time building stakeholder buy-in through transparent data sharing and collaborative workshops. The result? Common sense shifts that leverages resources more efficiently while increasing postsecondary preparedness for all students. 👇 Watch Emily explain why they partnered with BetterLesson and how course streamlining creates real impact. #K12Leadership #StrategicScheduling #StudentOutcomes #DistrictLeadership

How can localized collaboration between schools, nonprofits, and employers create true career mobility? In this episode of Lessons Learned, host Matt Kennard speaks with Dr. Monique Perry-Graves, CEO of Road to Hire, about how intentional partnerships and early career exposure can open pathways for students from Title I schools into high-paying careers. Dr. Graves shares her inspiring journey—from INROADS intern to corporate leader to Teach for America Executive Director—and why early career exposure, strong local partnerships, and continuous professional development are essential to preparing students for the future of work. She closes with a hopeful vision: investing in young adults today builds the leaders, innovators, and changemakers of tomorrow. 🎧 Listen now (link in comments)!

BetterLesson CEO Matthew Kennard joined Elana D. Leoni from Leoni Consulting Group (LCG) to tackle a critical question: can EdTech move beyond features to focus on outcomes? As districts are being asked to do more with less—preparing every student for postsecondary success while using resources more efficiently—it's not just on K-12 leaders to ensure every dollar is having an impact on students. "It's not just about features and stories; it's about outcomes." -Matt Kennard Listen to the full episode to hear: - How providers should apply the Guskey framework while evaluating professional learning's impact - Why building resilient systems will always win over point solutions - What accountability looks like for both vendors and district leaders When professional learning connects directly to student outcomes, everyone wins. Listen to the full episode (link in comments). #EdTech #ProfessionalDevelopment #StudentOutcomes #EducationLeadership #DistrictROI

This special episode of Lessons Learned comes from a recent virtual event featuring the superintendents of Visalia Unified (CA) and Willoughby-Eastlake (OH). Together, they share how auditing schedules and reallocating resources uncovered $5M+ in potential improvements—while also boosting academic rigor and student engagement. From aligning student pathways with high-wage careers to measuring academic intensity, this conversation offers actionable strategies for district leaders navigating today’s budget and staffing challenges. 🎧 Listen now (link in comments)!

What does it take to build stronger school–industry partnerships? This week on Lessons Learned, Dominion Energy’s Matt Kellam joins host Matthew Kennard to share how collaboration between K-12 and employers can expand student opportunities, strengthen local pipelines, and prepare learners for whatever comes next—college, the military, or the workforce. From skill-based curricula to AI’s role in shaping future-ready education, this episode offers district leaders practical strategies for connecting classrooms with real-world opportunity. 🎧 Listen now (link in comments)