January 2024

 A new year has begun and January is here to get it started.

To all students and educators, take the time to make an education plan.

Design a roadmap to guide you to the end of the school year and beyond.

Allow for breaks and adjustments along the way.

Best of luck to all in 2024!

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2024.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

June 2021

CLASS OF 2021

To the Class of 2021:

Congratulations to you for reaching this point in your educational journey.

A journey that ends with a renewed sense of hope.

That recent challenges are being met and surpassed.

With open schools and classrooms.

Reuniting Classmates.

Connecting with Teachers.

Liberating Parents.

Eliminating the need for barriers; both physical and virtual alike.

A steep step in the path towards the future that many were unable to make.

Make the most of it for you have made it through to today.

You have flattened curves and raised social issues.

Technology prepared you for distance learning,

and is now allowing you a greater access to further learning.

Keep moving forward in your educational journey.

Congratulations to the Class of 2021!!!

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2021.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

The Spring of COVID-19

"Even the darkest clouds must eventually give way to the sun."

I has been a difficult and challenging time in education.

There was no lesson plan or training that prepared educators to deal with the consequences of a global pandemic such as COVID-19.

No staff development, or professional development, or college class, or credential program could have prepared administrators or teachers for what the state of education is today.

To have to abandon the educational structure so familiar to all.  It's scheduled calendar and class schedule in a school and classroom setting where social interaction is one of the key components of the students growth and development.

It has been indeed a dark time in education.

Nevertheless, educators did what educators do and have always done.

Educators have taken on the distance learning challenge and have manage to continue the education process for students and their parents.  They have elevated their lessons above the dark clouds for students to reach in the safety of their homes.

Educators have done their best to ensure that the class of 2020 is prepared for the challenges that they will face ahead as they continue on with their education and schools prepare for their return.

Thank You, Educators!


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2020.  MRCR Edicational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Reflecting on 2018

"Reflecting on 2018 - A guide on how to reflect and look back at the year that has passed".

As 2018 comes to an end educators and students should take the time to review and assess what has been achieved this year.  There is much that has taken place over the past 12 months and all has had an impact in our day to day education.  Every year begins with hope and a vision of a brighter future.  Every year ends with longing and nostalgia, in some cases even a bit of regret, over the decisions made and events that shaped the year that was.

As it is true of education, doing an overall assessment can be quite an overwhelming task to take on even when it is a self-assessment.  It is always good to have a partner to help through this process: a colleague, a friend or classmate, parents and relatives can be of great help and provide assistance and feedback.

Begin by making a list of all the events that you remember and/or were a part of, for example: 

1) Students in the classroom.
2) Teams and Clubs.
3) After-School Activities.
4) Sporting Events.
5) Art, Movies, Music, Television shows.
6) Society, Politics, and Government.
7) An "In Memoriam" to those who passed on.
8) Challenges not met.
9) Accomplishments Achieved.

then proceed to give each a rating or value of your choice:

- Stars and check marks.
- Impact in our life.
- Significance of the event.

and finally, reflect on how you have grown over the year.

Doing this, not only to end the year but on a regular basis, can help with grow and development in addition to helping with emotional understanding on how each of us was shaped and molded by the year that was 2018.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Christmas 2018

Happy Holidays. 2018.

Happy Holidays!

To all who visit our education blog and follow us on Twitter, we want to wish you a Feliz Navidad and Merry Christmas.

and to all Students, Teachers, Parents, Administrators, and all school faculty, staff, and education advocates: Enjoy the Winter Break.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Preparing for Winter Break

Winter Break is near.

It is time to reflect on what a year it has been.

Schools prepare to take a winter break as people celebrate holidays and welcome in the new year.

Students need breaks from school to rest and recharge, but taking a break from learning can result in the widening of the academic performance gap.  Students can fall behind in education if they do not continue to maintain a minimum level of learning while they are on break.

Students can use the upcoming Winter Break to close this achievement gap by creating projects that help in the development of specific academic skills and/or knowledge & understanding.

Parents, Teachers, and Students can collaborate in the development of projects, establish a support network, and set reasonable goals; while also allowing for an enjoyable Winter Break.

Projects can be as simple as watching a series of pre-selected videos online and preparing reports on them, or as complex as attempting to solve a real-life problem that is currently making a significant impact on society.

During the time that remains between now and the beginning of Winter Break, educators should work with students and parents to develop Winter Break Education Projects (WBEP).  Through early planning, and the setting of clear assessments goals for WBEP's, students, parents, and teachers can help close achievement gaps in education.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2018.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Preparing for a New School Year

A new school year looms over the horizon.

There's growling from the crowd as they read that sentence.

Growling from students, parents, teachers, 

and others who ask:

"Why? 

Why remind us of such things? 

We are still in mid-July. 

Let's enjoy Summer a bit more."

And I join with the chorus of growlers, but it's inevitable.

We must begin to prepare for the new school year.

There are those who have been getting prepared all along,

There are those who will procrastinate and pull it through,

There are many of us who end up doing both: 

Procrastinate & Prepare.

Time lines and schedules are set with reminders:

"By the end of June, this."

"By the end of July, that."

"By August, ...

the night before, ...

the first day of, ...

by back to school..."

We envision a path,

We develop a roadmap,

We calculate and budget supplies,

We enjoy one last Summer sunrise and sunset.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2017.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

October 2016

"Pumpkin Patch" (Illustration by the author)

October is here and with it comes the changing of the color in the foliage.

Autumn marks its return as the leaves fall down from the branches of the tree to be carried in the wind.

Harvest season is upon us and serves as a reminder, that if we have not started to make preparations for the winter, there's not much time left.

October also brings changes to education for which we must prepare.

A look at the calendar, from now to the end of the year, reveals all the holidays and events that create breaks.

These breaks are good, and much needed, but they could turn bad if we do not take the time to properly schedule school projects, assignments, presentations, etc.

By planning a new schedule from now to the end of the year, educators can prepare their lessons and incorporate these series of breaks into learning experiences.

Educators should encourage students to pursuit further learning on their own, outside of the school and classroom setting.

And if you already have a plan, take the time to review it too, it is always better to be prepared and prudent.

Educators should also reach out and help other educators who may be struggling at the start of the year, or may have joined our schools after the school year started.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Educator

Copyright 2016.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

February 2016

February first is here, and we are halfway through the school year.

This always shortened month  brings with it a variety of holidays and activities like Presidents Day, Valentines Day, Lunar New Year, and African American history month.

This always shortened month, however, does have, as it does every four years, the added bonus of an extra day on leap years, as this year happens to be.  And on this first day of February, the selection process by which a US President is elected kicks off with the Iowa Caucus.  February is the last month of Winter.

For many educators, February can mean the start of a second semester.  A second chance to make improvements to education.  The second attempt at assessing the performance and progress of students across the state of California through the CAASPP.  A new opportunity to adjust and execute an educational path that can help us reach the end of 2015-16 with great growth and standard success.

Manuel R. CortezRodas
EDUCATOR

Copyright 2016.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

January 2016

Welcome Back Educators!

It is time to kick-off 2016.

Soon.  The class of 2016 will complete its educational journey, and become prepared to be promoted towards a higher level of achieveable education.

Soon.  Some time in the late spring.  The second year of CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Progress and Performance) will take place.  Care must be taken that California education and educators do their best to prepare students, do not become complacent or over-confident, and avoid a dreaded Sophomore slump.  Together, we should look forward towards continued growth and success in education for 2016.

MRCR Education continues its commitment to education particularly in the areas of EL's (English Learners), STEAM (Science-Technology-Engineering-Arts-Mathematics), and HAST (Humanities-Arts-Science-Technology)

Thank you to our blog visitors and @mrcreducation Twitter followers for your support.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2016.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

December 2015

We have arrived at the end of 2015.  It is December 2015, and we have reached the end of the year.

This year MRCR Education had the honor of participating in the last San Francisco Bay Area STEAM Education Colloquium and the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) Framework Review.

The "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) era came to an end, while the California Assessment of Student Progress and Performance (CAASPP) was implemented.

2015 also brings about the 5 year anniversary of MRCR Education.  An idea that began with the purpose of providing educational services for the public and individual support to students.

Over the last 5 years I have had the pleasure of collaborating with a great group of students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community and education leaders.

By making education a priority we are able to provide pathways for future generations to follow and trail-blaze.

Education prepares us for the challenges that we face later in life and go beyond college and career.  The principles of humanity: Family, Society, Leadership.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

November 2015

As the month of November begins,
we are given an extra hour.
We are also reminded that the year is culminating.
All that remains is December to go before we begin 2016.

Education will have a series of breaks in the fall and winter, but the learning process of students will continue developing.
Growing as they grow in both skills and knowledge.
As they have grown since the beginning of the school year. 

It begins to get cooler and the nights are a little bit longer.
Its a great time to bundle up and keep warm.
We can envelop ourselves in knowledge and learn, study, and share it.
We are ready to finish this year and continue to become educated.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

HAST Education

HAST Education
(Humanities, Arts, Science, Technology)

It is within our nature to make observations and take annotations in addition to recognizing patterns and identifying problems that may occur.

We also have a tendency, through ingenuity, to come with reasonable solutions that benefit us all as a whole.

HAST Education brings this together.  HAST greatly benefits the student's learning process through the integration of the core subject areas of humanities, arts, science, and technology.

With a HAST approach to education, students become better prepared to identify issues, solve problems, recognize patterns, take notes, and observe their environment.

A student's educational performance should flourish and be deeply rooted in a diverse academic field of knowledge.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

October 2015

"WE ARE OFF!"

The 2015-16 school year is well on its way.

It is now the month of October and for many students, parents, educators, and administrators it is a good place in time to asses how the school year is going.

One way to do an assessment is by asking a question to request an answer.

The following samples should help provide a base to begin a self assessment as to how this school year is going, and what can be done to make adjustments if needed.

Students should ask and answer:
-Am I learning what is being taught?
-Do I need additional help and where can I get assistance if needed?
-Have I made the effort to learn and study what should be learned?

Parents should ask and answer:
-How is my child doing so far in school?
-What have they mentioned about their school, classroom, teacher, classmates, projects, field-trips, etc?
-Do I have any concerns about my child that should be addressed with the school?

Educators should ask and answer:
-Are the lessons we planned and the curriculum we designed working with the students in the classroom?
-Is there a need to make changes to lessons or curriculum that would benefit of students in the classroom?
-Do we have the support needed to succeed throughout this school year?

Administrators should ask and answer:
-Is the school year progressing as it was envisioned?
-Are we prepared for any challenges that may come up ahead?
-Have we provided the adequate support to achieve success this school year?


This post is dedicated to the students, faculty, and community of Umpqua Community College in Oregon.


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2015 CAASPP Overview for English Learners

It takes time to develop skills such as speaking, reading, and writing in any language.  It follows that it would take additional time to develop and improve such skills in an additional language.  Such is the main challenge that English Learners face as they enroll in schools throughout California.  Without these, and many other skills, it can become difficult to continue the learning process, be sociable with one's piers, or even be prepared for higher education or the professional world.

Data from the 2015 California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) clearly demonstrates this challenge among English Learners (EL).  As a group, it is expected that their scores on English Language Arts (ELA) be below that of students whose home language is English.  This is why English Language Development (ELD) programs are carefully constructed to help EL's develop and improve language skills as they undergo this transition process.

English Learners are one of the groups with a large potential for growth in CAASPP scores as they gain the English language skills that will allow them to fully express their knowledge and ideas.  They must continue to receive such ELD services as they may require in order to succeed.  California educators should make helping EL's a priority as they will, in time, become fluent mainstream students.

Overview of 2015 CAASPP for EL's

Mathematics

• 11% of EL students in CA meet or exceed standards
• 24% of EL students in CA are near standards
• 65% of EL students in CA did NOT meet standards

English Language Arts

• 11% of EL students in CA meet or exceed standards
• 24% of EL students in CA are near standards
• 65% of EL students in CA did NOT meet standards

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

2015 CAASPP Overview for California

On Wednesday, September 9th, 2015, the California Department of Education released the results of a new assessment, CAASPP.  

The California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) is the new metric for student assessment and it measures a student's preparedness for college and careers.  

CAASPP is an assessment that students take online in the spring and is reflective of the Common Core State Standards, Next Generation Science Standards, College and Career Readiness, and many other areas that students should meet or exceed.  

This is the first measurement of the CAASPP.  It is the first step into the future of student assessment in California.  As California steps forward into the 21st century it should keep focus on growth, development, and closing the achievement gaps across all student groups.  

There is much work that needs to be done.  

Let's get to it! 


Overview of 2015 CAASPP

Mathematics

• 33% of CA students meet or exceed standards
• 29% of CA students near standards.
• 38% of CA students did NOT meet standards.

English Language Arts

• 44% of CA students meet or exceed standards.
• 25% of CA students are near standards.
• 31% of CA students did NOT meet standards.

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

September 2015

Welcome back to the 2015-16 school year.  The new school year is now underway, and as we return from the Labor Day holiday, it is time to implement all measures that have been formulated to guide students in their learning process.

There are many summer events that had an impact in each of our lives and will make us better at performing our assigned role in education be it: Student, Parent, Teacher, Administrator, Community Leader, etc.

In California we await the results from the assessment of the state adopted Common Core State Standards.  There is much to learn from these results, but it is important to always keep in mind that these results are one of many metrics used in education.


It is a great honor to be able to continue my commitment to education once again and through this blog, Twitter feed, and many other ways of communication, share information on education for the betterment of all stakeholders in it.

Sincerely,


Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Happy New School Year!

To all Parents, Administrators, Students, Teachers, and Educators:

A very Happy New School Year!!!

MRCR Educations wishes all a wonderful 2015-16 school year, and we hope that it is filled with educational growth and development.


"Back to School"

We are going back to school.
Soon, in the next few weeks, and days ahead,
Educators, Teachers, Students, Administrators, and Parents,
in addition to all personnel who has a task, responsibility, and commitment to education, prepares to go back to school.

To Educators:
As Educators we are leaders to those who want to learn.
We welcome and share with them:
The knowledge we've gained.
The skills we've developed.
We assess their learning to ensure it has value.

To Teachers:
The true titans of education are teachers.  There's that memorable one whose door was always open.  In whose classroom there is unexpressed respect, and discipline is unnecessary.  Those who challenged, pushed, moved, and motivated even the most impossible ones.  They help us practice skills.  They help us learn knowledge.

To Students:
Yes.  Students must wake up and get ready to demonstrate what they've been taught.  Must study what students have learned until it has been mastered.  Be responsible and take ownership of their own education.  Become leaders in the areas they study.  Create and develop new fields to study in.

To Parents:
Help prepare students by providing support, guidance, and encouragement.  Provide a safe and secure space in which a strong foundation forms such that a lifetime of education can take place.  Become an example by learning, studying, and teaching the importance of education.  Impart a fair assessment on the student's education.

To Administrators:
It is a great honor to serve and administer people's needs in education.  Parent's concerns. Student's struggles, Teacher's training, Educator's understanding.  These are among the many concerns of education's administrators.  They have the responsibility to ensure everyone is educated.  They have the responsibility to ensure education is fair.



Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

August 2015

We are going to go back to school.
Soon, in the next few weeks and days ahead,
educators, teachers, students, parents, administrators,
and all personnel who has a task,
a responsibility,
a commitment to education,
prepares to go back to school.

As educators we are leaders to those who want to learn.
We welcome and share with them
the knowledge we've gained,
the skills we've developed,
and we assess their learning
to ensure its value.

Teachers plan ahead the lessons for the year.
Units are broken down and spread across the months.
Old assignments are renovated,
and new ideas are in the process of being developed.
Classrooms will soon be decorated
and supplies will be restocked.

Students and their parents make preparations at home.
Backpacks, notebooks, pens and pencils,
are on many shopping lists,
and the latest ed-tech gadgets as well.
a special section is reserved for school work,
and to study, to read, to write.

Administrators visualize the school year as a whole
and fill the weeks with training, seminars, 
professional development, and the like.
New implementations are carefully reviewed.
Roadmaps are established, redesigned, or upgraded.

It is time to go back to school,
and begin the 2015-16 school year.



Manuel R. CortezRodas-Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.

Reaching out to Parents on STEAM

What is STEAM Education?
  
Most educators would surely be able to, if not answer this question, talk about it with some understanding of it.  Some students would also be able to speak about STEAM to some extent, as they may be participating in such programs at school.  Elected officials, community and business leaders are also becoming increasingly aware of STEAM and the role it is playing in education and employment.

• But how aware are parents of STEAM education?
• Do they truly understand what STEAM is, the effect it is having in education, and how it will help their children with both future education and employment?
• Do parents assume because this is one of the current buzz words of today, that STEAM has been automatically been implemented in schools?
• Have we, as educators, done enough to reach out to parents on STEAM, and made sure that they are well informed on what is being done at all levels of education, and beyond, with regard to the implementation of STEAM education into everyday activities in school?

It is important that we reach out to parents and share with them the benefits that STEAM brings to the student, the classroom, the school, and the community. Without the support of our parents, STEAM would be missing a key component in its implementation.  As educators, we should do all we can to make sure that we are reaching out to parents.

Here are a few ideas on how educators can reach out to parents and make them aware of the importance of STEAM:

1. Talk to parents.  It is still the best way to communicate.  Educators can engage with parents and inquire if they know or have heard of STEAM education.
2. Encourage students to share with their parents how STEAM plays a role in their education, and how the classroom is acquiring knowledge in STEAM and developing the skills required.
3. Host a STEAM event at your school, where students share some of the work they are doing, and how it relates to STEAM.
4. Invite parents to attend open forums, discussions, trainings, seminars, etc. that are design to share information on STEAM, its benefits, and applications in school and work.
5. Utilize social media to share updates, classwork, reference material, and other information that can engage parents into becoming part of the conversation of STEAM in schools, education, and careers. 

Manuel R. CortezRodas - Chief Educator/Founder

Copyright 2015.  MRCR Educational Consulting Firm.  All Rights Reserved.