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Training and professional development is not only a vital part of learning how to properly administer, score, and interpret the assessments you depend on, it’s also a critical part of our own professional growth. Obtaining that training directly from the source is the best way to ensure you’re using each measure with fidelity.

As schools and districts aim to provide high-quality learning experiences for all students, digital assessments play a critical role in determining where gaps might exist. Today, traditional paper-based assessments are at times found to be inefficient and inflexible for monitoring and evaluating student learning progress. In contrast, digital assessments can improve the process, ensuring students who need additional support are identified while easing the workloads of overburdened educators in understaffed schools and districts. 

The last few weeks of the calendar year are the home stretch for many educators to a much-deserved break and time with friends and family. But there’s no denying the winter holidays can also be challenging for many reasons — not the least of which is how easy it is to become overwhelmed with the extra seasonal activities and responsibilities crowding educators’ plates.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among youth and young adults (aged 15 to 34 years) in Canada. Many of today’s young people are grappling with extraordinary circumstances, from pervasive mental health struggles to financial hardships to challenging peer or family relationships. These stressors can impact mental, emotional and physical well-being such that the challenges feel insurmountable, leading some to take their own life. 

The start of Dyslexia Awareness Month in October is a prime opportunity for educators to evaluate their school’s or district’s approach to working with students with dyslexia and, if needed, update their procedures to better support students on their journey to reading success.

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in Canada, affecting approximately 5% to 7% of children, according to the Centre for ADHD Awareness, Canada (CADDAC). While it frequently manifests itself through challenges in maintaining concentration and managing impulses, ADHD can also impact the mental and emotional health of students; it can be associated with higher risks of anxiety, depression, low self-esteem and other disorders and behaviours that can profoundly affect social relationships, behaviour and academic performance.