InsideSchools - Podcast Details

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Tests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastHOW THE COMMON DATA SET CAN HELP INTERPRET WHAT COLLEGES TELL YOUFinding your best fit school requires a lot of smart research, so don’t overlook one of the best sources of institutional information available. Amy and Mike invited independent counselor Jane Gabin to discuss how the common data set can help interpret what colleges tell you. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What is the Common Data Set? How can studying the CDS help with judging the value of a school? What does a school’s graduation rate tell us about the school? How can the...2024-12-3125 min

Tests and the Rest: College Admissions PodcastCONCERNS ABOUT COLLEGE STAFFING TRENDSAs we observe over and over, the cost of college increases every year. But if you think that additional funding is going to faculty, you are probably wrong. Amy and Mike invited independent counselor Jane Gabin to explore concerns about college staffing trends. What are five things you will learn in this episode? What does it mean to be an adjunct professor? Are all part-time faculty the same? Is it a bad thing to have an adjunct professor? Are full-time faculty more stable? Is there a link between faculty composition and quality of education? What questions s...2022-05-0326 min

Disrupt Education222 - Plotting Plots - The Intersection of Reading and DataTom Liam Lynch is Director of Education Policy at the Center for New York City Affairs at The New School and Editor-in-Chief of InsideSchools. A former educational technology professor, English teacher, and school district official for the New York City Department of Education, Dr. Lynch led the implementation of a $50M online learning program in over 100 schools called iLearnNYC. He then architected and drove the implementation of WeTeachNYC, a $6.8M digital resource repository, learning environment, and blended learning program for the city’s 80,000 teachers. Dr. Lynch researches the relationship between software theory, literacy, and education reform. He has written do...2022-04-2032 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsThe Streets are Watching: The New Hood, Social Stratification, and ‘Fundamental Flaws’ | Season 2, Episode 11During this episode, we hear from Talib Hudson, Founder and Project Director of The New Hood. We chat about incoming Chancellor Banks’ appointment announcement and his description of NYC as ‘fundamentally flawed.’ RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.thenewhood.org/about https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/moynihan-report-1965/ ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/12/9/22826524/david-banks-chancellor-eric-adams STAY IN TOUCH Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us: InsideSchools, our flagship website // Our InsideSchools+ Community or our Face...2021-12-1558 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsBlack Lives Matter at Schools: A Closer Look | Season 2, Episode 10During this episode, the InsideSchools staff speaks with members of Black Lives Matter at School. This episode focuses on how the organization came to be, how the good work spread nationwide and the impact the organization continues to have. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/ https://twitter.com/BLMAtSchool https://www.teachingforchange.org/educator-resources/black-lives-matter-at-school ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/should-black-lives-matter-agenda-be-taught-school/618277/ https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/1554-black-lives-matter-at-school https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/12/01/black-lives-matter-school-new-book-antiracist-work-education/ https...2021-12-0650 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsCRT and CR-SE: What does it all mean? | Season 2, Episode 9In this episode of InsideSchools+, we are joined by a host of researchers from the African American Policy Forum to give us a primer on Critical Race Theory - what it is, why it’s in the news and what parents need to know. This broadcast focuses on how CRT has evolved in the news and some initial pieces of what parents should know when they hear the topic. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE NY Introduced CRT Legislation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/177DAlBYY3EcwpCig4CAHKv5tRtJPrW8P/view?usp=sharing BERC Report: ht...2021-11-2240 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsDo the Dollars Make SENSE When It Comes to the Importance of Childcare? | Season 2, Episode 8In this episode of ExtraHelp we are joined by Zakiyah Ansari, Advocacy Director of the New York State Alliance for Quality Education (AQE). Zakiyah talks us through the current child care walkthroughs and gives us a brief history on how the industry has been impacted by Covid-19. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE THROUGH THE NIGHT Film: https://www.throughthenightfilm.com/ Alliance for Quality Education: https://www.aqeny.org/ AQE Policy: https://www.aqeny.org/policy/ 30 Year Equity Fight Won in New York State Budget: https://www.aqeny.o...2021-11-1535 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsNew Meeting, Who Dis? All Things Parent-Teacher Conferences in NYC | Season 2, Episode 7In this episode, we work to set parents up for success when preparing for their child’s parent-teacher conferences in NYC. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE How to Improve Your Parent-Teacher Experience: https://insideschools.org/news-&-views/how-to-improve-your-parent-teacher-experience What is APTT?: https://www.wested.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/services-appt-brochure.pdf NYC Parent Teacher Conferences Guide: https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/parent-teacher-conferences ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/17/21564443/parent-teacher-relationships-remote-learning https://www.citeonline.com/nyc-schools-engaging-more-parents/ https://ny.ch...2021-11-0835 min

Raising New YorkersEducation Series: Demystifying NYC Public SchoolEducation in New York City will forever be a hot topic. This season we're exploring various school options offered to New York City kids by sitting down with adults who have first hand experiences with them. Our guests will range from parents, teachers, and administrators. 📚 In this episode, we chat with Hope Kidd, a mom with 5 of her children currently in a NYC Public School. Hope shares her experiences candidly and touches on how it's been for her and her family of 7 since they've moved here 6 years ago. NYC Public School district is the largest school district in the Unit...2021-11-0344 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsPhysical and Emotional Safety in Schools: A Bronx Tale | Season 2, Episode 6In this episode of ExtraHelp we are joined by Dr. Asya Johnson, principal at Longwood Academy in the Bronx. We review recent headlines of the increase in violence in schools in the Bronx and spend time hearing how principals can work toward cultivating schools sites that nurture physical and emotional safety. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE DOE Safety in Schools Parent Guide to School Safety and Emergency Preparedness ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE https://pix11.com/news/local-news/nyc-gun-possession-schools-increasing-scanning/ https://abc7ny.com/new-york-city-bronx-the-school-shooting/11152403/ https://abc7ny.co...2021-11-0121 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsDemocratizing NYC’s Gifted and Talented Education: The Color Lines of Brilliance | Season 2, Episode 5During this episode, the InsideSchools staff speaks with Kaliris Salas-Ramirez, PhD, a Distinguished Medical Lecturer at the CUNY School of Medicine and the President of the Community Education Council. This episode focuses on the emerging conversations surrounding Mayor Bill De Blasio's plan to phase out the NYC Gifted and Talented program, in addition to discussing the history and ongoing impact of gifted and talented education, standardized testing, and local government influence on public education policy. RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE NYC Opt-Out https://www.optoutnyc.com/ District 2: Families for Real Educational Equity (FREE) https...2021-10-2242 min

Disability INC.The Legacy of Bloomberg & de Blasio on the NYC School SystemDr. Tom Liam Lynch is Director of Education Policy at The Center for New York City Affairs at The New School and Editor-in-Chief of the website InsideSchools. A former educational technology professor, English teacher, and school district official for the New York City Department of Education, Lynch has written dozens of articles and presented the world over on educational technologies, online learning, school reform, new literacies, and K-12 computer science. He holds a doctorate in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. To view the report referenced in this interview, visit www.centernyc.org. To read the tr...2021-10-1946 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsTeaching Truth: The Path Toward Decolonizing the Curriculum | Season 2, Episode 4During this episode, InsideSchools staff build community with Lisa Covington, a representative from the national steering committee of Black Lives Matter at School. We discuss the organization’s initiatives, the recent Attorney General’s memorandum around “threats of violence against school administrators, board members, teachers, and staff who participate in the vital work of running our nation's public schools,” and social justice curriculum in schools. -------- RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.blacklivesmatteratschool.com/year-of-purpose.html https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/metrocenter/ejroc/culturally-responsive-curriculum-scorecards NEA Know Your Rights | https://neaedjustice.org/wp-c...2021-10-0837 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsTaking Up Arms: The Vaccination Wars in NYC’s Schools | Season 2, Episode 3During this episode, InsideSchools staff review the back and forth conversations about vaccinations and what the DOE mandates may mean for staffing in schools. We are joined by Raymond Ankrum, Sr., Superintendent of Riverhead Charter School. -------- RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/daily-covid-case-map https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/covid-19-testing-for-students/testing-providers https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/health-and-wellness/covid-information/covid-19-testing-for-students ARTICLES FROM THE EPISODE https://www.healthline.com/health-news/vaccine-mandates-in-schools-arent-new-theyve-been-used-since-1850 https://www.u...2021-10-0123 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsWhat are the Kids Reading? Decoding NYC’s Curriculum Renaissance | Season 2, Episode 2During this episode, InsideSchools+ staff review the recent news blitz around NYC’s $635 million curriculum and programming initiatives. We welcome back Tom Liam Lynch to share his experience and talk through the N.Y.C. Universal Academic Recovery Plan. (Note: An earlier version of this podcast was posted without music! That won't do at all. So we re-published it with the jazzy transitions listeners have come to know and love.) -------- RESOURCES FROM THE EPISODE WeTeachNYC: Curriculum | https://www.weteachnyc.org/approach/curriculum/ NYC Instructional Priorities | https://www.weteachnyc.org/media2016/filer_publ...2021-09-2427 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsRebooting Extra Help and Launching the 2021-22 School Year | Season 2, Episode 1Extra Help is BACK! During this show, Tom, creator and host of Season 1 of Extra Help, and Tanishia, host of Season 2, discuss the intended function of Extra Help, its connection to the work of InsideSchools, and the goals for the new season. In addition, the two will discuss current news headlines that take us into the opening of schools for the 2021-22 school year. ------ RESOURCES TO SHARE: School Platform Inventory Homecoming 2021 Document WEBSITES TO SHARE: DOE Transportation Overview InsideSchools Family Welcome Centers ARTICLES TO SHARE: https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/8/26/22643726/ny...2021-09-0925 min

Talk Out of SchoolIssues with Preschool Reopenings and Online LearningResources:InsideSchools websiteInsideSchools plusInsideSchools free course for parents: "How to Support Online Learning at Home" 2020-09-1654 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 30: Season Finale, and What Comes Next for Us AllThis week marks the end of the school year in New York City. And with the end of the school year comes the end of this season of Extra Help. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch reflects briefly on the first season of the podcast, lay out all the unknowns facing NYC families with the new school year just two months away, and give a little glimpse into what is up next for InsideSchools. Resources: InsideSchools/CNYCA report on DOE response to Covid-19 via remote learning -- Please tell us what you think. W...2020-06-2512 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 29: Well THAT Was A Busy Week in NYC Schools: What It Means For SeptemberThis past week, the NYC Department of Education has been burning the midnight oil. Last Thursday, the Chancellor held a virtual meeting for all principals and superintendents updating them on current status and future plans for the school system. That same evening, the teachers union sent a message to its union 75K members about what to expect in the coming year. Sometime on Monday, the city published the results of its remote learning survey for families WHILE ALSO launching a new survey asking parents for their input on re-opening in September. And somewhere in the middle, the Chancellor sent...2020-06-1821 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 28: #BlackLivesMatter, Culturally-Responsive Teaching, and Reopening NYC SchoolsNew York City has erupted in recent weeks in response to the death of George Floyd, a Black man who was killed while being restrained by police in Minneapolis, and far too many other similar events in our city and nation. Under the banner of #BlackLivesMatter, protests sprouted up throughout the city in every borough and across the world. For teachers and families who had been mostly concerned about how to sufficiently complete the academic year online, there was now an unanticipated reality to address in school: widespread civic action in response to systemic racism that targets B...2020-06-1119 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 27: What Happens to Culturally Responsive Teaching When It’s All Online?One of the hallmarks of the de Blasio Administration's education agenda has been "culturally responsive-sustaining education." With an emphasis on teachers appreciating students cultural backgrounds, identities, and histories, CRSE was in full swing across the school system. There were books purchased, workshops given, and schools began implementing new practices. And then Covid-19. And then remote learning. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch interviews Dr. Gholdy Muhammad from Georgia State University, who led many of the CRSE workshops for NYC schools. Resources: Cultivating Genius [book] // Sample Lesson // TOBTR Interview // ACE-ED Article // EduTalk Interview // Language Magazine Article ...2020-06-0422 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 26: Survey Says: Some Parents and Teachers Getting Uneasy About Returning to SchoolThere’s a report making its way around social media about a new survey. The survey asked over 500 K-12 teachers and 400 parents of K-12 students a series of questions about their experiences remote learning and their feelings about returning to school in the fall. 20% of teachers said they are unlikely to return to the classroom in September, concerning some that there’s a flood of resignations on the horizon. And 60% of parents said they would rather pursue at-home learning instead of sending their children back in the fall. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explores what this survey does and...2020-05-2821 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 25: Balancing Students' Social Emotional and Academic Needs During a PandemicNYC officials are beginning to signal that remote learning could continue into the fall. That means parents, teachers, and administrators are going to have to work together to make remote learning more than just a stopgap measure. What does it mean to teach remotely and well? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch interviewed Kaitlyn Zwicke, a math teacher at Queens High School for Information, Research, and Technology. They talked about the challenges of teaching remotely, and why students' social emotional needs are as important (if not more) than academics. (NOTE: A special thanks to New Visions for P...2020-05-2116 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 24: Gov. Cuomo’s Post-Pandemic Education Committee Draws Swift Criticism, but Why?When Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that New York State was partnering with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to "reimagine" the future of public education, critics were quick to raise alarm. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch responds to a question from listener Chrissy from the Bronx, who is worried about the billionaire's involvement. Why are some stakeholders concerned that the Gates Foundation is involved in New York? What are some of the ways this might unfold? How do parents and teachers make sense of it all? That and more on this episode. Links: Gov. Cuomo announcement // Di...2020-05-1421 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 23: It is Time for a NYC Virtual SchoolNYC schools will almost certainly have some form of remote learning come September. Whether it is 100% online or some hybrid model with alternating day schedules is left to be seen. But if we know remote learning is here to stay, it is high time for the City to establish a NYC Virtual School. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares what a virtual school is, how it would work, and why it's more ready for launch than you might think. -- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of t...2020-05-0815 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 22: UNESCO’s Guidelines Can Help NYC Reopen Schools, Equitably and WellThe NYC school system is so big, it can be helpful to look for insights not just from what other cities or states are doing, but entire countries. That goes for learning in teaching in "normal" times--and it especially goes for what it means to reopen schools. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explore a new document from the United Nations that offers guidance to countries on reopening schools safely and equitably. Tom offers two concrete suggestions for city officials, including the establishment of a citywide virtual school. Links: UNESCO guidelines // UFT remote teaching p...2020-05-0520 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 21: $897 iPads Raises Eyebrows, But Not For the Reasons They ShouldAs New York City continues its foray into remote learning, questions persist about the city's digital learning strategy. The high price of iPads recently drew criticism. The committee that approves policy and budgets had to cancel their monthly meeting when their video conferencing service crashed. Officials are still distributing devices to students in need, over a month since their physical schools closed. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explains why these kinds of things are important for families. In short: this is just the beginning of widespread digital learning in city schools, and officials need to engage families on instructional...2020-04-3010 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 20: Returning to School Will Be Way More Complicated Than You ThinkGoing back to school in the wake of Covid-19 will not be as simple as it sounds. That's the premise of a recent report by Opportunity Labs called "Return to Schools Roadmap." Fortunately, the report offers an abundance of tactics for schools and districts to act on--all with an eye toward public education AND public health. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch interviews one of the contributors to the report, former NYC Department of Education official Cricket Heinze. They talk about the report, including how parents and families will be affected in September based on the kinds of conversations...2020-04-2815 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 19: We Took Your Questions About Remote Learning via Facebook LiveIt's been a month of remote learning in New York City, and the reviews are really mixed. With so many families continuing to struggle with making remote learning work, we thought we'd hold a Facebook Live session to answer real questions in real time. Here's the audio of the session. Or, to view on Facebook just go here. -- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us: InsideSchools, our flagship website // Our InsideSchools Facebook Page // Tweet, tweet: Over on Twitter // Sign up for our...2020-04-2331 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 18: The City’s Asking Families What They Think of Remote Learning. Here’s Our Take On It.The NYC Department of Education has launched a survey for students and families, one that asks them what they think of remote learning so far. Surveys can be tricky things, so Tom Liam Lynch invited Senior Research Fellow at the Center for NYC Affairs, Nicole Mader, on the show to get her take. They discuss what the survey is, where to find it, and what good can ultimately come of it. Spoiler alert: They both agree it's important for families and children to complete. (Looking for the survey? You can find it here.) -- ...2020-04-2115 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 17: September Starts Now: What Might NYC Schools Look Like in the Fall?It might seem premature, but we all need to start talking about September. Now. Why? Because there are possible scenarios in which public health officials might not want to see 1.1 million students headed back to overcrowded classrooms. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch offers parents and school officials what he suggests are key considerations for fall planning, preparation for which needs to start immediately. That includes planning for the scenario where not all students go back at once. -- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main w...2020-04-1616 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 16: The Saturday Letter Where the Mayor and Chancellor Commit to FamiliesDated a few days ago, the NYC mayor and schools chancellor published a letter. It included their commitments to families to help improve the quality of learning citywide in the wake of Covid-19. Not all families got the letter (and if you didn't, click here), but what it offers is heartening--and herculean. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares the main points of the officials' letter and offers his insights on why their commitments are important, including what makes them hard to realize. NB: Tom also shares an update on the future of Extra Help. We are ge...2020-04-1418 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 15: We Must Do Online Learning Better. Enter iLearnNYC and WeTeachNYCBy now, many families are getting a sense of what online learning looks like in their child’s school. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch takes a moment to underscore something: Online learning could have looked VERY differently, even in response to a pandemic. Families and teachers need to know that the city has platform--right now--that can help immensely: iLearnNYC and WeTeachNYC. And if versions of online or hybrid learning are possible options for schools in September, we all need to better know what they are and what they can do. -- Please tell us wha...2020-04-1012 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 14: A New Hotline Where Students Help Students Cope with #CoronaVirusNYCIn previous episodes, we’ve focused on helping parents and teachers navigate the troubled educational waters of learning and teaching amidst Covid-19. But what about students? Fortunately, non-profit IntegrateNYC has created a hotline to help. It’s created by students, for students. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with IntegrateNYC leadership: High School Executive Director Leanne Nunes and Adult Executive Director Zaps. They share details about the hotline, as well as what they think city officials are doing well and what they could do better to support young people in a time of crisis. Resources: Learn more...2020-04-0916 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 13: How Much “Learning” is Really Happening “Online”?There are two words in the term "online learning." But when you listen to the way we often talk about it, there's little being said about what "learning" is supposed to look like. How do we know our children are learning online--well? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch explores that question by comparing learning online to learning in traditional classrooms. In the end, he offers ways that teachers can up their online teaching game AND ways for parents to better spot quality learning in action. -- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. H...2020-04-0814 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 12: State Exams Might Be Cancelled, But We Need To Assess More Than EverWith state Regents exams being cancelled in wake of Covid-19, many New York City teaches and students breathed a sigh of relief. That's understandable. But the need for thoughtful assessments might be more important than ever. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch offers some perspective on why cancelling high-stakes exams was the right move by state officials, but also why it must be balanced with increased formative assessments by teachers. -- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us: InsideSchools, our flagship website // O...2020-04-0711 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 11: This Video Solution Might Just Be What Schools and Families Need Right Now: ScreencastsTeachers' and families' heads are spinning. In 72 hours, NYC schools restricted use of the widely used Zoom video conferencing tool, required use of Microsoft Teams, and then added late Sunday (via Twitter) that Google Meet could also be used. Only, some school leaders had already messaged otherwise to teachers and staff. And that was a weekend! There is little doubt that video has a meaningful place in digital learning. But what are schools and families to do? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares some key moves schools can make to better support families amidst the chaos of a g...2020-04-0616 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 10: Zoom is a Privacy Nightmare and Parents Need to Understand WhyZoom is a video conferencing product that has seen exponential adoption as schools have switched to online learning during Covid-19. Students across NYC are using it with their teachers every day. But recent reports have raised alarm, saying Zoom disregards privacy and security protocols. In this episode, host and public school parent Tom Liam Lynch investigates further to see what all the fuss is about. Spoiler alert: In just a few minutes, he was able to attend his own child's online class--no access code, no credentials, no nothing. He shares more about why this is a problem, how we...2020-04-0314 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 9: Admissions to NYC Specialized High Schools is Still Inequitable, So Say the DataSpecialized high schools in NYC is a hot topic. That was especially true when the de Blasio Administration made a move to radically overhaul their admission process several months ago. The process relies heavily on a single exam: the Specialized High School Admissions Test or SHSAT. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with Senior Research Fellow at the Center for NYC Affairs, Nicole Mader, about what recent admissions data tells us about how equitable the SHSAT is. Resources SHSAT Infographic Discussed in Episode Scrapping the SHSAT: Breaking Down Who Would Be Affected and How Diversity in...2020-04-0212 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 8: Son: They Can’t Cancel Spring Break! Dad: Sure They Can.When NYC schools announced that they were cancelling the upcoming Spring Break (except for two days), you can imagine the ripple the news sent throughout many households. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares with listeners how his family dealt with it, including trying to slow down to help his son appreciate the school officials' rationale. The morning meeting at the breakfast table ended with a request for waffles--and extra syrup. It was honored. --- Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us:2020-04-0111 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 7: What Should ELA Class Look Like Online, During a Pandemic?After teaching ELA and ELA teachers for a decade and a half, Tom Liam Lynch has learned a few things about what matters most. In this episode, he shares "simple and high-leverage" strategies for parents and teachers. What matters when teaching reading across grade-levels? How does one read for school versus reading for life? What are ways to engage in writing when a young person really doesn't want to write? All this and more, please an invitation to send him your individual question over on Twitter @tomliamlynch It's a fast-paced episode, one well-worth a re-listen. Share it...2020-03-3116 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 6: Let’s Ask a Seasoned Math Teacher How to Help Our Kids with Math, Shall We?Math and ELA, Math and ELA. That's what many parents are talking and asking about on social media. How do I help my child with these subjects at home--when I'm not a math or ELA teacher?! We hear you. Let's take it one step at a time, starting with math. And since we at InsideSchools are not math teachers either, we called up a Math for America Master Teacher: Mr. Chris Boyd. In this episode, we ask Chris what parents can be doing to support math instruction at home. His advice is deceptively simple, strategic, and wise. C...2020-03-3014 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 5: We Got a High School Offer--But Now What Do We Do?When NYC does anything, it does it big. That goes for New Year's Eve, skyscrapers, and, well, high school offers. A staggering 78,000 8th graders received high school offers recently. While the process works well for some families, many families are left wondering what options are still on the table. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks with InsideSchools senior editor Laura Zingmond to break down what the offer letters mean, and how families should proceed from here--whether they like their offer or not. Resources from the episode: Here's the Contact DOE page on our site: https://ins...2020-03-2711 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 4: What to Do When You’re Frustrated with Your Child’s TeacherAs a parent, sometimes it's hard when you don't feel like your child is getting the support they need from a teacher. It can be really frustrating. As a former teacher, Tom Liam Lynch knows firsthand how hard it is to manage the needs of dozens of students (at least) and their families. Still, parents have options for advocating for their children's needs. In this episode, Tom talks offers a series of steps that parents can take to get their children what they need. It's not about shouting the loudest. It's about thoroughly understanding what's going on, communicating in a...2020-03-2613 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 3: A NYC Mom Wants to Know What Learning Online Looks Like and Where to Find ResourcesA mom from Manhattan wrote in with a slew of questions about what learning online and at home is supposed to look like. She wrote: What should homeschool look like? How many hours? How much progress? Can kids go outside? Which of all of the available online educational programming is actually good and recommended for kids at different ages? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch answers each question one by one--and shares his go-to list of education resource providers in a pinch. Spoiler alert: They include... Khan Academy LearnZillion Newsela ABC Mouse PBS Learning BrainPop WeTeachNYC YouTube (like...2020-03-2519 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 2: Wait, When Did Google Get a Classroom and What the Heck’s a Zoom?NYC schools had their first day of online learning and homeschooling. You couldn't help but see the names of two technologies pop up over and over: Zoom and Google Classroom. But for teachers and parents who are new to these products, what are they and how do you get the most out of them? In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch talks to us about his experience teaching online, leading a large-scale online learning initiative in city schools, and what to do if you are a teacher or parent trying to figure this all out. Please tell us wh...2020-03-2419 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 1: Help Me Help My Child Learn OnlineSO MANY READERS asked us where they should even begin in helping their children learn online during COVID-19. We know it's a lot to take in. In this episode, Tom Liam Lynch shares his advice to get started based on his experiences as a father, an educator, and a former educational technology professor. This episode pairs well with Tom's post on InsideSchools here: https://insideschools.org/news-&-views/im-just-a-parent-trying-to-keep-it-together-right-now Please tell us what you think. We LOVE feedback. Here are a few of the main ways to reach us: InsideSchools, our flagship website Our InsideSchools Facebook P...2020-03-2312 min

Extra Help with InsideSchoolsEpisode 0: Introducing Extra HelpIn the wake of NYC schools shutting down in response to COVID-19, the team at InsideSchools sent out a survey asking how they could help. The response was overwhelming. There's so much information and insight to share. So they are expanding their communication channels to include audio. 2020-03-1800 min

New York City Bar Association PodcastPilots, Plans, & Promises: Is Desegregation Possible in New York City’s Schools?Focused on New York City’s schools grades K-8, panelists on November 8, 2018 discussed the history of school segregation and integration efforts; diversity pilots and plans; school admission screens, G&T programs, and their potential for desegregation; accountability, legal constraints, and best practices. Whether you are an education advocate, parent, practitioner, public official, student, or concerned citizen, this exciting and thought-provoking conversation is packed with information you will want to know. Speakers: Matthew Gonzales, Director, School Diversity Project, New York Appleseed Richard D. Kahlenberg, Senior Fellow, The Century Foundation Brad Lander, Member, New York City Council Emmy Liss, Chief of Staff, Di...2019-05-072h 16