The problem with PLCs and MTSS isn’t effort, belief, or expertise. It is design.

When the operating model is unclear, collaboration does not consistently lead to better Tier 1 instruction or results.
 
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The Key to Secondary School Success: Getting 9th Grade Right
Contributing Author: Dr. Douglas Reeves

Kaaron Andrews studied the relationship between 9th-grade student performance, graduation, and subsequent post-secondary success.

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Do Audiobooks Count as Reading?
Dr. Douglas Reeves

While surveys show over 40% of U.S. adults think listening to a book isn’t real reading, Brian Bannon, Chief Librarian of New York PL disagrees in this Nov. 23, 2025 article.

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CLS March Newsletter
PLCs Done Right

Explore how Collaborative Learning Teams can move from routine meetings to measurable impact. From strengthening structure to anchoring conversations in student evidence, learn practical ways to align adult practice and drive results.
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Research Wednesday - February 25, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Hope for Cynics

In this inspiring book (Hope for Cynics: The Surprising Science of Human Goodness, 2025) by Jamil Zaki, there is a treasure trove of research that will help all of us who support educators and school leaders.

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Research Wednesday - February 18, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

A Balanced and Skeptical View of AI in Schools

In this thoughtful and evidence-rich article (February 12, 2026), the authors cite several randomized control trials (RCT) that provide mixed evidence on the use of AI in schools.

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Research Wednesday - February 11, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

The Power of Effective Relationships

Effective relationships are a key to leadership performance and organizational success. This synthesis of evidence analyzes why leaders must focus on relationships to accomplish organizational goals.

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Research Wednesday - February 4, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Four Practical Guidelines for Effective Implementation of the Science of Reading

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Research Wednesday - January 28, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

When Grading Becomes Politicized

My research and writing on grading have generally been aimed at challenging toxic grading practices.

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Research Wednesday - January 21, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Authentic Leadership Can Re-energize You to Positively Impact Tier 1 Instruction Across Your School

Contributing author: Pamela M VanHorn, Ph.D.

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Research Wednesday - January 14, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Changing the Trajectory – Importance of Using Formative Assessment
Contributing Author: Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois

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New Year, New Strategies

January offers a chance to reset priorities and sharpen our focus. In this edition, we share practical strategies and successful ideas we are seeing in the field—approaches to implement immediately and strengthen work.

View the Newsletter - bit.ly/CLSNewsJan2026

Creativity: Why Compliance is Failing Schools Podcast Episode · Fearless Schools Podcast · 01/05/2026 · 31m

Renowned educator and author Rick Wormeli reflects on his journey into education and challenges long-held assumptions about accountability, grading, and compliance in schools.

Now streaming on all platforms.

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Research Wednesday - January 7, 2026 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Evidence on the Impact of Coaching

In Strong Ground (2025), Dr. Brene Brown features data from over 16,000 participants in coaching.

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Research Wednesday - December 17, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

The Evidence Already Inside Your School
Contributing Author: Allyson Apsey

One of the most overlooked sources of educational research isn’t in journals or at conferences; it’s happening inside our own schools.

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Research Wednesday - December 10, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Reclaiming Hope in Time of Despair

In this November 24, 2025, article in the New York Times, Senator Cory Booker provides a glimmer of hope for those who are sinking into despair.

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Research Wednesday - December 3, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

While there are decades of research on the potential success of students in high-poverty schools, those gains are too seldom sustained past high school graduation.

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In this episode of the Fearless Schools podcast, Principal Salome Thomas-El (aka Principal El) shares his insights on authentic leadership, the importance of nurturing relationships in education, and the role of joy and resilience in school culture.

Now streaming on all platforms.

CLS December Newsletter + A Conversation with Principal EL Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Celebrating Winter with What's Cool in School With winter settling in for many of us, we’re excited to dedicate this edition of the CLS Newsletter to the "cool

With winter settling in for many of us, we’re excited to dedicate this edition of the CLS Newsletter to the "cool" and innovative ideas our Associates have been exploring in schools this year.

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In this episode of the Fearless Schools Podcast, we engage with bestselling author Brad Meltzer, exploring the profound impact of educators on students' lives.

Listen wherever you follow our favorite podcasts!

Research Wednesday - November 19, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

It is no news that assessment can be a powerful tool to improve student learning, help teachers refine lessons, and provide targeted feedback to students.

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CLS November Newsletter + A Conversation with Katie Powell Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Embrace November With An Attitude of Gratitude In this November edition of the CLS Newsletter, we highlight the theme of gratitude. As the year draws to a clos

November brings the theme of gratitude. We pause to reflect on the people, partnerships, and moments that have shaped our work. Gratitude is more than a feeling; it is a practice that strengthens our schools, our teams, and our leadership.

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Research Wednesday - November 12, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

The Enduring Value of Changing One’s Mind

In Research Wednesdays, I have always quoted others rather than myself. I hope that readers will allow me an exception in this case.

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Research Wednesday - November 5, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Differentiation, Depth of Knowledge, and Artificial Intelligence: Integrating Frameworks for Rigorous and Responsive Instruction

Guest Contributor - Peter Noonan

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Creativity, Care, and Differentiation: Supporting Teachers, Seeing Students. Podcast Episode · Fearless Schools Podcast · 11/01/2025 · 41m

Another episode, another fantastic guest! Check out our latest episode with Katie Powell - Creativity, Care, and Differentiation: Supporting Teachers, Seeing Students.

Now streaming on all platforms.

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Research Wednesday - October 29, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

This interesting article in New Approaches in Educational Research, published in August 2025, describes new ways to predict student academic performance using AI.

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Research Wednesday - October 22, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

Agency: The New Literacy
Guest Research Wednesday by Jessyca Lucero-Flores

Agency is the ability to act with purpose, reflection, and confidence in a changing world.

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Research Wednesday - October 15, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

This article prompts us to reconsider the vilification of electronic devices as a primary cause of the decline in attention and focus among students.

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Research Wednesday - October 8, 2025 Email from Creative Leadership Solutions Recommendations from Dr. Reeves and Colleagues   Here’s the latest from Creative Leadership Solutions. We partner with K–12 schools and districts to deliver ta

NAEP scores have fallen in two consecutive administrations of “The Nation’s Report Card,” as NAEP is sometimes called.

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October offers us the opportunity to share powerful strategies to support attendance, classroom management, and family empowerment, and to introduce our new company logo.

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