Candido Brown

A Washington, DC professional with some two decades in education, Candido Brown has held a wide variety of roles in his field. In 2021, Candido Brown became the director of operations at Ascend Public Charter Schools in New York. Mr. Brown's career in educational advocacy began as an education rights intern for the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 2005 to 2008. There, he learned how educational law, policy, and practice can impede - or promote - learning. He developed campaigns to increase the likelihood that students in Baltimore benefited from academic programs as well. While working with the ACLU, Mr. Brown helped students from low-income families as a summer reading and writing teacher for the Teach Baltimore program. In addition, hewa s a public relations associate for the Office of Undergraduates at Johns Hopkins University. Between 2008 and 2009, Mr. Brown was the manager of literacy for the Office of Engagement in the Boston Public Schools. Concurrently, he was a donor relations manager at Harvard University. By 2014, Mr. Brown was a Building Excellent Schools Emerging Leader Fellow. In this role, he participated in improving charter school education, studying the highest-performing schools in the country. He also partnered with school founders in revising school charters. After that, Mr. Brown was principal-in-training at Achievement Prep Charter Schools beginning in 2014 and lasting until 2019. Then, he founded BetterEd Solutions, where he offered leader and teacher training in programs looking to improve student outcomes.

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Study Shows Underserved Students Receive Below Grade Level Work

The educational platform TNTP: Reimagine Teaching conducted a study with ReadWorks, an English Language Arts resource for teachers. It studied students who received below-grade-level work to catch up on what they missed during the pandemic. Some found the findings troubling, especially for students from underserved and low-income communities...

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Fitness Trends for 2024 and Beyond

Data from 2022 indicates that 21.2 percent of men and 19.1 percent of women engage in daily physical exercise. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 28 percent of Americans meet CDC minimum recommendations for physical activity. That includes 53 percent of the nation failing to meet guidelines for aerobic physical activity, which amounts to about 22 minutes of walking per day...

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Published: The Benefits of Teacher Training Programs Children experience significant physical, cognitive, and emotional development around age 5. The typical milestones include communication and language development, learning, thinking and problem-solving progress, and improved physical coordination. The stage sets the foundation for active literacy activities like early childhood education to compound the development. Besides…

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Assessments as Part of the Lesson Planning Template

Providing literacy program support to diverse K-8 administrators, one of Reading Achievement Partners' foundational offerings is a Lesson Planning Template. Rigorous and standards-aligned, this provides ways of funneling students into the correct grade level material and actively assessing and understanding students' progress toward mastery of materials and coursework.

This is accomplished through designing a Standards-Aligned Assessment. The student-facing assessment provides an in-depth understanding of students' needs, expectations, and abilities at the outset of beginning work within a specific curriculum. At this time, administrators also create a Data Tracker, which is used as a measurement tool for assessing the degree of student mastery relative to what they initially input in the assessment.

As a professional in the field, it's important to take the completed assessment yourself (as if you are a student). Known as a Pre-Mortems, this provides insight into areas the student might find challenging to complete. It also highlights areas that must be addressed in assessment or curriculum design as a way of avoiding having students experience too much struggle. With the assessment properly designed and taking into consideration areas that students tend to find challenging, it's time to complete a backward planning exercise. This involves mapping out strategies for taking students to mastery of areas they find currently challenging.

Among the common issues with assessment planning are engineering questions and measurements that are designed in such a way that the results are not too vague or spread all over the map. Rather, they should deliver evidence that is consistent with curriculum standards, mission, and goals. Any data generated must be viewed in a context appropriate to the curriculum at hand and relate to student skills and abilities that help them meet specific literacy goals and objectives.

Factors such as student background and how this relates to assessment answers are important aspects of interpreting data. They provide insight into what exposure students have to the type of material and content presented in the curriculum. For example, a student who performs poorly on one aspect of the assessment and has no functional background in the course material may have differing needs from one who has been through similar or equivalent course material and still has not attained standards-aligned objectives.

Beyond qualitative measurements of ability, assessments also provide a glimpse into the student's thought process and how these relate to the abilities and skills required to navigate the lessons within the curriculum.

This multifaceted way of designing, using, and interpreting assessment materials is essential to developing and using rigorous and standards-aligned methods of grade-level differentiation. It's also important to determine just who will benefit from the curriculum presented to the greatest extent. In this, look at each student as an individual and the best course for him or her, given the objectives and learning principles in play, as well as the skills required to maintain pace with the group.

Reading Achievement Partners emphasizes that proper placement of differentiation points (where key skills and abilities are determined) and scaffolded questions are essential for designing impactful lesson plans. The latter are question prompts in a progressive sequence that build upon prior knowledge. Assessments thus rigorously ensure that the bar is not lowered when it comes to providing content that is standards-aligned and appropriate for the grade level. This helps ensure greater equity in education, particularly among those who lack access to high-quality work at the appropriate grade level.

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The Role of Equity Consulting in Improving Education

The growing reliance on educational consultants in school districts has highlighted the critical need for accountability and effective resource allocation, particularly in addressing equity and student well-being. Equity consulting plays a crucial role in improving education by addressing biases, promoting accountability, and fostering a supportive learning environment. Innovative consultancy…

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Published: Rules of the Road for Cyclists

Conservative estimates suggest that more than 50 million Americans ride a bicycle at least once per year, making cycling one of the most popular outdoor activities in the nation. Other studies indicate these estimates are low, and as many as one of three Americans cycles at least once per year. Cycling improves strength, coordination, and circulatory health, among other benefits.

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Addressing Gaps in Literacy Education and Grade-Level Work

Candido Brown Literacy education has many facets, with a segment of the industry focused on delivering results that help bridge gaps related to students’ unfinished learning needs. These were exposed during the pandemic when many of those experiencing poverty were not afforded equitable opportunities to access grade-level work as higher-income peers. Students at less affluent schools were often…

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Published: The Reading League Professional Development Opportunities

Candido Brown The Reading League is a national philanthropic organization that raises awareness of the most effective, data-supported methods of reading instruction. The Reading League promotes evidence-based teaching methods and explains how people learn to read. While the organization engages with students and parents, it has developed a peer-reviewed journal, an annual conference, and…

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The Importance of Continuous Learning for Adults

Learning should never stop, even when you reach adulthood. The world is constantly evolving; therefore, learning and growing are crucial. As an adult, continuous learning helps you stay relevant in your career, learn new hobbies, and enjoy the learning process throughout your life.

Continuous learning refers to acquiring knowledge and skills throughout one's life. Success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world requires it as a foundational component of personal and professional growth. Continuous learning involves a commitment to ongoing education and self-improvement, requiring individuals to be proactive and motivated to learn.

Continuous learning can take many forms, from formal education and training programs to informal learning through reading, attending seminars or workshops, or even learning on the job. While both are important, continuous learning is significant for adults looking to improve their job performance and adapt to changes in the workplace.

One of the main benefits of continuous learning is the ability to stay current in a constantly changing workplace. The ability to continually expand your knowledge base and refine your skillset is essential for success in today's competitive employment environment. Furthermore, it helps you become multi-functional. You can learn new skills that can apply in different areas of your job. This helps you become more valuable to your company, and it can lead to promotions and career growth.

Continuous learning helps you adjust to the changes that life throws your way. Continuous learning equips you with the knowledge and skills to solve complex problems more effectively when confronted with novel obstacles. For instance, in today's fast-paced environment, some people may find it difficult to adjust to new forms of technology. However, with continuous learning, you can stay abreast of technological developments and learn how to use them effectively. This makes you more adaptable and significantly reduces stress levels by embracing any changes that come your way.

Humans derive much satisfaction from learning new things. Expanding your knowledge is a fantastic way to challenge yourself, sharpen your mind, and develop new perspectives on life. Learning new hobbies and languages or exploring different cultures enriches individual lives, broadens horizons, and helps spark new interests. Personal development is essential to personal growth and continuous learning.

Continuous learning can also prepare individuals for the unexpected. Keeping abreast of the most recent trends and developments is essential due to the world's and technology's swift evolution. Continuous learning ensures you are prepared for the unexpected and can adapt to new situations. Furthermore, learning new things can help you see things differently. It helps you to think critically and creatively. Your fresh viewpoint will benefit your ability to make decisions and solve problems professionally and personally.

Continuous learning creates opportunities to engage with new people, opening doors to new social and job networks. You can find others with similar interests, establish new friends, and expand your knowledge base by attending meetups, professional development seminars, and community classes. People often garnish friendships, mentors, or business partners from continuous learning experiences.

Success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world requires a commitment to continuous learning. It enables individuals to keep pace with the changing demands of the workplace and has many personal benefits. To achieve your goals, you must proactively pursue knowledge and constantly strive to better yourself.