The biggest problem with grading isn't your grading policy. It's what grades communicate to students about learning. This week's Research Wednesday explores one question that can reshape grading conversations and improve both motivation and achievement. www.creativeleadership.net/the-grading-...

Most teachers say they understand the Science of Reading. The research tells a different story. Our latest Research Wednesday explores what the data means and why leadership, not another mandate, may be the missing piece. Read the 5-minute research recap - www.creativeleadership.net/teachers-res...

AI is changing how organizations operate, innovate, & make decisions. Join Creative Leadership Solutions for a practical conversation on what leaders need to know now. creativeleadership.net/events/free-...

Free Webinar - Leading Through the AI Shift: What Leaders Need to Know Now June 24, 2026 - 1:00 PM EST REGISTER HERE - us06web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

This week's Research Wednesday explores a meta-analysis of workplace coaching and its impact on performance, goal attainment, resilience, and self-efficacy. www.creativeleadership.net/the-power-of... Research Wednesday will take a “summer break” and shift to twice-monthly updates.

This Research Wednesday shows how assumptions about student ability shape the level of work students experience—and what shifts in classrooms when expectations rise. www.creativeleadership.net/in-pursuit-o... Research Wednesday will take a “summer break” and shift to twice-monthly updates.

Close This Year with Clarity Our June newsletter shares practical strategies you can use immediately to capture student voice, recognize success, and turn reflection into stronger results next year. Read the Newsletter - www.creativeleadership.net/newsletter/

PLCs do not fail because the research is flawed — they fail when implementation lacks trust, clarity, and adaptive leadership. Read the Research - www.creativeleadership.net/plcs-that-wo... In June, we will take a “summer break” and shift to twice-monthly updates.

When AI Feels More Welcoming Than School - Listen more. Judge less. If students feel more welcomed by AI than by school, that is where our work begins. Belonging is built one interaction at a time. bit.ly/RW052026 In June, we will take a “summer break” and shift to twice-monthly updates.

Devices became symbols of equity. But access was never the same as impact. The real question isn’t how much tech students use—it’s how much thinking they do. This research challenges what schools have assumed for years. Read the Research - www.creativeleadership.net/flatpack-lea...

What happens when AI meets high-impact teaching practices? Real-time feedback, sharper decisions, and stronger collaboration. This is how schools turn insight into action.   Read the latest Research Wednesday and see what works - www.creativeleadership.net/putting-ai-t...

Family & Community Engagement experts Dr. Alex Marrero, Superintendent of Denver Public Schools, and Dr. Washington B. Collado reveal how to move families from simple involvement to true empowerment — the real key to student success. www.creativeleadership.net/newsletter/

Students are often asked to write about texts they have not yet fully processed. Without structured interaction with the text, writing remains shallow and inconsistent. Text annotation provides a practical bridge between reading and meaningful writing. www.creativeleadership.net/using-text-a...

What if the biggest barrier to women in leadership… is the belief there’s only room for a few? It’s time to replace competition with intentional support and sponsorship. Here’s how women in education can rise—together. Read Research Wednesday - www.creativeleadership.net/research-wed...

The problem with PLCs and MTSS isn’t effort, belief, or expertise. It is design. When the operating model is unclear, collaboration does not consistently lead to better Tier 1 instruction or results.   Read this week's Research Wednesday to learn more - www.creativeleadership.net/research-wed...

The Key to Secondary School Success: Getting 9th Grade Right Contributing Author: Dr. Douglas Reeves Kaaron Andrews studied the relationship between 9th-grade student performance, graduation, and subsequent post-secondary success. Read the latest Research Wednesday here - tinyurl.com/RW031126

Do Audiobooks Count as Reading? Dr. Douglas Reeves While surveys show over 40% of U.S. adults think listening to a book isn’t real reading, Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of New York PL disagrees in this Nov. 23, 2025 article. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: tinyurl.com/RW030426

CLS March Newsletter PLCs Done Right Explore how Collaborative Learning Teams can move from routine meetings to measurable impact. From strengthening structure to anchoring conversations in student evidence, learn practical ways to align adult practice and drive results. tinyurl.com/CLSNewsMarch...

Hope for Cynics In this inspiring book (Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, 2025) by Jamil Zaki, there is a treasure trove of research that will help all of us who support educators and school leaders. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4cMYlK4

Research Wednesday - February 25, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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A Balanced and Skeptical View of AI in Schools In this thoughtful and evidence-rich article (February 12, 2026), the authors cite several randomized control trials (RCT) that provide mixed evidence on the use of AI in schools. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4aCrYv4

Research Wednesday - February 18, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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The Power of Effective Relationships Effective relationships are a key to leadership performance and organizational success. This synthesis of evidence analyzes why leaders must focus on relationships to accomplish organizational goals. Read the latest Research Wednesday post: conta.cc/4cpew01

Research Wednesday - February 11, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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Four Practical Guidelines for Effective Implementation of the Science of Reading Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4rrGuMT Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - February 4, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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When Grading Becomes Politicized My research and writing on grading have generally been aimed at challenging toxic grading practices. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4kbydum Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - January 28, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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Authentic Leadership Can Re-energize You to Positively Impact Tier 1 Instruction Across Your School Contributing author: Pamela M VanHorn, Ph.D. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4r4SPXi Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - January 21, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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Changing the Trajectory – Importance of Using Formative Assessment Contributing Author: Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4b1bGOb Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - January 14, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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New Year, New Strategies January offers a chance to reset priorities and sharpen our focus. In this edition, we share practical strategies and successful ideas we are seeing in the field—approaches to implement immediately and strengthen work. View the Newsletter - bit.ly/CLSNewsJan2026

Renowned educator and author Rick Wormeli reflects on his journey into education and challenges long-held assumptions about accountability, grading, and compliance in schools. Now streaming on all platforms. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...

Creativity: Why Compliance is Failing Schools

Podcast Episode · Fearless Schools Podcast · 01/05/2026 · 31m

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Evidence on the Impact of Coaching In Strong Ground (2025), Dr. Brene Brown features data from over 16,000 participants in coaching. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/453cwGt Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - January 7, 2026

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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The Evidence Already Inside Your School Contributing Author: Allyson Apsey One of the most overlooked sources of educational research isn’t in journals or at conferences; it’s happening inside our own schools. Read Research Wednesday here: conta.cc/490uOJF Sign up for emails: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - December 17, 2025

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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Reclaiming Hope in Time of Despair In this November 24, 2025, article in the New York Times, Senator Cory Booker provides a glimmer of hope for those who are sinking into despair. Read the latest Research Wednesday post here: conta.cc/4aaDuzd Sign up for the weekly email blast: conta.cc/3wE1oBQ

Research Wednesday - December 10, 2025

Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

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