Progressively Incorrect

Denarius Frazier, Managing Director of Academics at Uncommon Schools and co-author of 'Reconnect', shares his journey from a high school math teacher to an influential leader. He discusses the importance of strong classroom systems, highlighting techniques that drive student engagement through predictable routines. Denarius promotes a balanced approach to math instruction, the advantages of active observation for feedback, and the sustainability of high expectations in fostering a sense of belonging. His practical insights aim to transform educational practices globally.

Jessica Colleu Terradas, an Australian education leader, and Jon Owen, a UK teacher and Direct Instruction advocate, dive into the transformative power of Direct Instruction. Jessica shares her insights on overcoming resistance to structured programs like DI and the significant gains seen in literacy outcomes. Jon highlights the importance of well-designed curricula and effective delivery in UK schools, emphasizing the profound impact on struggling students. Together, they discuss placement testing and the critical role of teacher involvement in scripted DI approaches.

Anna Stokke, a mathematician and professor passionate about math education reform, dives into the pitfalls of contemporary math teaching methods. She argues for the necessity of explicit skill practice over vague conceptual understanding and highlights the crucial role of foundational skills like fractions and basic algebra. Stokke also critiques the notion that teaching confidence can substitute for actual math skills and stresses that efficiency and accuracy must remain central in math instruction. Her insights challenge the status quo and pave the way for a more structured approach to math learning.

Joining the conversation is Marcie Samayoa, a passionate high school chemistry teacher and science-of-learning advocate behind the blog Scientists in the Making. She shares her journey of making science education equitable and engaging. Marcie explains how she translates cognitive science into classroom practices, emphasizing explicit instruction for complex concepts. She discusses the balance between inquiry and foundational knowledge, offering strategies for effective labs and reducing misbehavior through structured teaching. Her insights highlight the importance of supporting novice teachers in implementing evidence-based instruction.

John Mighton, a mathematician, playwright, and founder of JUMP Math, shares his vision for transforming math education. He challenges the misconception that only certain students can succeed in math, emphasizing the need for equitable teaching approaches. Mighton discusses personal breakthroughs in self-teaching and critiques common instructional errors that hinder learning. He offers practical steps for schools to implement JUMP Math, underscoring that improving math confidence is key to student success.

In this powerful episode, I’m joined by two of the most influential voices in literacy education today—Linda Diamond and Paige Pullen. With decades of experience in education, Linda and Paige bring clarity to the evidence-based education movement and the science of reading in particular. Together, we dive into their framework of three interrelated sciences—Learning Science, … Continue reading S5E02: Linda Diamond & Paige Pullen on Connecting Learning, Literacy, and Instruction

In this engaging discussion, Greg Ashman, a prominent voice in education and advocate for explicit instruction, shares insights from his journey in the UK and Australia. He critiques the dichotomy between explicit teaching and inquiry-based learning, arguing for their complementary roles. Ashman dives into cognitive load theory and its impact on mathematical problem solving, advocating for structured teaching approaches. He also addresses challenges in teacher preparation and the need for educators to have a voice in shaping effective teaching methodologies.

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Dr. Shawn Datchuk, a leading researcher who’s helped shape how we think about sentence construction for struggling learners. Drawing from the literature on Precision Teaching and Direct Instruction, Shawn shares how timed practice and explicit strategies can accelerate mastery in writing, especially for students with learning … Continue reading S4E39: Shawn Datchuk on Teaching Sentence Construction with Precision

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I’m joined by Nathan Lang-Raad for a wide-ranging conversation that threads together two hot-button topics: artificial intelligence and the science of learning. There’s excitement everywhere—some even say AI will revolutionize teaching and learning. But are we getting ahead of ourselves? Nathan and I explore the real benefits AI can … Continue reading S4E38: Nathan Lang-Raad on Learning Science and Artificial Intelligence

In this episode of Progressively Incorrect, I sat down with a personal friend whose work I deeply respect: John Tanner. His leadership in education has weathered storms—most notably, false accusations of cheating after huge gains in achievement were obtained at his school. But what shines through is his steadfast belief in the life-changing power of … Continue reading S4E37: John Tanner on Tests, College, and Cheating Scandals