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The New 3Rs Academic Transformation

The Right Systems, The Right Resources, The Right People

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A Title 1 Principal Can't Buy Academic Success
In the 1970’s, my father started the first Christmas tree farm in South Dakota. A slotted hole was dug using a long steel spade shovel...
by Blaine Helwig
Aug 9, 20183 min read


Why is Effective Title 1 School Reform Not Happening?
Federal and State money flows into the Title 1 public schools. The river of money flows regardless of academic results each school year,...
by Blaine Helwig
May 5, 20184 min read


"Work the Problem!"
My wife and I watched the Tom Hanks’ movie, Apollo 13 over the Holiday break. The movie has many memorable scenes of heroism and...
by Blaine Helwig
Jan 4, 20183 min read


Testing: What ALL is being assessed?
Educators test students throughout the school year. Students are frequently assessed via both formative and summative assessments ranging...
by Blaine Helwig
Dec 1, 20173 min read


What are the Benefits of Stop-Gap Resources?
I am of the belief that Title 1 academic education reformation involving high percentages of students classified as economically...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 28, 20172 min read


The Guaranteed Gamble – Academic Title 1 Success
In late April of 2014, I was at central office for a meeting when I ran into another Title 1 elementary principal. The STAAR (State of...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 21, 20173 min read


What Are "Stop-Gap Resources?"
‘Stop-Gap Resources’ are a moniker that I believe accurately describes their function when used in Title 1 schools or with students...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 14, 20173 min read


Deceptive Educational Belief Systems
Mark Twain once said, “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.” This...
by Blaine Helwig
Sep 8, 20174 min read


When 15 minutes is Lost, It is Expensive!
A paramount issue in any professional field is identifying key factors that highly influence performance outcomes. In public education,...
by Blaine Helwig
Aug 8, 20173 min read


One Size CAN Fit All – Commonality Rules
Many Title 1 elementary schools yield chronic academic performance year after year, and if the elementary schools struggle – the feeder...
by Blaine Helwig
Jun 4, 20173 min read


Michael Faraday – The Ultimate Title 1 Success Story
Do kids attending Title 1 schools have the same educational opportunities as their more affluent peers? No. Of course not. But, what are...
by Blaine Helwig
Jun 1, 20172 min read


Repeating Failure Repeatedly
Most elementary school's State accountability performance ranking continue to demonstrate stagnant academic performance - school year...
by Blaine Helwig
May 27, 20173 min read


What Makes Non-Title 1 Schools More Successful - Academically?
Beethoven was deaf. But, he was not born deaf – which is a remarkably relevant fact. It is historically estimated he went deaf in his...
by Blaine Helwig
May 23, 20173 min read


Background Knowledge – Needed at All Ages!
After a night out at a local comedy venue with friends, we sat down a restaurant for a late night breakfast and conversation. Of course,...
by Blaine Helwig
May 20, 20173 min read


Achievement Gap Won't Close – Fix the Skill Gap and Gaps be Gone!
The achievement gap… the achievement gap… the achievement gap… AND, the achievement gap… The achievement gap cliché is a seemingly never...
by Blaine Helwig
May 18, 20173 min read


A Strong Foundation is Essential – Or the Academic Tower Leans
During my seven year career designing multi-million dollar state and federal highway bridges in Texas, I was the lead registered...
by Blaine Helwig
May 12, 20173 min read


My Brother's View of Heaven
Nope. You are wrong. This is not a religious essay – at least not in the traditional sense of Heaven. Four decades ago, when my brother...
by Blaine Helwig
May 9, 20173 min read


Praxis with Results - Title 1 Equity
There are many, many moving parts on an elementary campus. A typical elementary campus houses as many as seven grade levels ranging from...
by Blaine Helwig
May 4, 20173 min read
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