Michael & Susan Dell Foundation Blog

Nearly 89 percent of Latino students recognize that a college education is important for success in life. So why do only half of those students say they plan to get a college degree?

Jun 13, 2012

by: Oscar Sweeten-Lopez

Combatting the Achievement Gap in the Latino Community

Nearly 89 percent of Latino students recognize that a college education is important for success in life. So why do only half of those students say they plan to get a college degree?

Given the complexities involved, is the effort to link microloans to water and sanitation work worth pursuing? The answer is an unequivocal yes.

Jun 07, 2012

by: Urvashi Prasad

Linking microfinance, water and sanitation: Real challenges, real benefits

Given the complexities involved, is the effort to link microloans to water and sanitation work worth pursuing? The answer is an unequivocal yes.

As a foundation, we learned through trial and error that building tools was the least of our challenges. We’re now hoping that the sector at large can springboard off those lessons,

Jun 05, 2012

by: Joe Siedlecki

The five building blocks of data-informed instruction

As a foundation, we learned through trial and error that building tools was the least of our challenges. We’re now hoping that the sector at large can springboard off those lessons,

In many ways, we’re in the pioneering stages of information-based instructional systems. As we scan the big data horizon, we might sometimes feel like the early aviators who first bravely took to the skies.

May 29, 2012

by: Guest Blogger

Dan Domagala: The real education data story is day-by-day academic growth

In many ways, we’re in the pioneering stages of information-based instructional systems. As we scan the big data horizon, we might sometimes feel like the early aviators who first bravely took to the skies.

How can families break out of extreme poverty? An innovative West Bengal pilot program provides valuable insights.

May 27, 2012

by: Urvashi Prasad

The ultra poor in urban India: Can 'livelihood' programs help break the cycle?

How can families break out of extreme poverty? An innovative West Bengal pilot program provides valuable insights.

Delaware's Education Insight dashboard was developed in one year. Today, the dashboard is in use by 10 schools in four districts. Statewide deployment is scheduled for the start of the school year this fall.

May 24, 2012

by: Guest Blogger

Reese Robinson: Ed-Fi & Delaware's Education Insight project

Delaware's Education Insight dashboard was developed in one year. Today, the dashboard is in use by 10 schools in four districts. Statewide deployment is scheduled for the start of the school year this fall.

The US Department of Education should take note: No amount of high quality assessments or elegant data systems will make a difference if teachers aren’t intimately familiar with the art of assessing student learning and responding to that information.

May 24, 2012

by: Joe Siedlecki

New study: Teacher training programs neglect needed skills

The US Department of Education should take note: No amount of high quality assessments or elegant data systems will make a difference if teachers aren’t intimately familiar with the art of assessing student learning and responding to that information.

Those of us in the education reform movement obsess about outcomes. But we’re missing something even more critical: Culture as an input. You can’t improve instruction and performance (period) if you don’t have control of the classroom culture.

May 23, 2012

by: Joe Siedlecki

Adjusting our view of education reform: Classroom culture is critical

Those of us in the education reform movement obsess about outcomes. But we’re missing something even more critical: Culture as an input. You can’t improve instruction and performance (period) if you don’t have control of the classroom culture.

Student debt correlates to college completion. When we saw 20 Dell Scholars facing a collective $2 million bill at graduation, we went into action.

May 17, 2012

by: Oscar Sweeten-Lopez

College completion and college debt: $2 million is too much

Student debt correlates to college completion. When we saw 20 Dell Scholars facing a collective $2 million bill at graduation, we went into action.

For the majority of South African children, receiving a quality education is a rare opportunity based on luck. The nascent South African Extraordinary Schools Coalition is committed to tackling the systemic problems that plague education in South Africa.

May 15, 2012

by: Taryn Casey

Education in South Africa: Quality schooling shouldn't be about luck

For the majority of South African children, receiving a quality education is a rare opportunity based on luck. The nascent South African Extraordinary Schools Coalition is committed to tackling the systemic problems that plague education in South Africa.