Blog
Learning never stops.
The UPD team is constantly looking for ways to learn more about our industry and, by extension, improve the results we achieve for our clients. Our blog is where we share our latest thinking.
Asking the Right Questions—Data Privacy and Security
There are a lot of good signs to be seen in recent news about security and privacy in the education technology sector. Some of the key questions being asked by educators and administrators are “how…
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Literary Lots: Sponsorship Interview
Literary Lots, Kauser Razvi’s community revitalization project funded through Kickstarter, is a program that helps urban neighborhoods whip vacant lots into shape by transforming vacant lots into summer program spots for children. In Cleveland, several lots…
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Reinventing The Wheel
For years, many cities have undertaken the task of developing a citywide plan, agenda, goals, etc. around children and youth development and success. In most cases, this work is a collaboration between multiple organizations, including…
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Can Early Teacher Evaluation Findings Help Change the Debate?
Over the past few years, states and school districts across the country have devoted significant resources to the design and roll-out of new teacher evaluation systems. Driven at least in part by requirements attached to…
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Across the Board: Who Else is Responsible for the Atlanta Cheating Scandal?
The media in recent weeks has focused a great deal of attention on the cheating scandal in Atlanta in which authorities have indicted 35 officials and teachers in the Atlanta Public Schools system for allegedly…
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How to Run a Computer Based Training Session: Three Indispensible Techniques
This week I’m really delighted to introduce Frank Nichols a talented consultant from our strategic partners at Strategic Urban Solutions. Strategic Urban Solutions will be guest posting for us from time to time, and…
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Leading Change in Education Reform Efforts
“A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves.” —Lao Tzu Leading people through a process of change is…
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Securing Our Schools in the Wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary Tragedy — Pt I
The shooting last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School has prompted a great deal of debate across the country about gun control and access to mental health services. The incident has also prompted increased scrutiny…
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The Follower’s Manifesto
In my six years of teaching, I had plenty of colleagues who carried on non-stop private conversations through every faculty and department meeting they attended. The very educators who brought down the wrath of God…
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Stuck in the 80s
Although I have over 25 years of for-profit corporate America experience, I am not one to think that we should leverage everything from the business field to the education field. However, I do think there…
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