This post was originally published in @PeterMDeWitt’s blog Finding Common Ground in Education Week. Today’s guest post is written by frequent Finding Common Ground blogger Lisa Westman. Lisa is an instructional coach specializing in differentiation for Skokie School District 73.5 in suburban Chicago. She taught middle school gifted humanities, ELA, and SS for twelve years before becoming a coach. “If we have data, let’s look at data. If all we have are opinions, let’s go with

“Too often, educational tests, grades, and report cards are treated by teachers as autopsies when they should be viewed as physicals.” Douglas Reeves One of my favorite stories is about the man who taught his dog to whistle. The man was so proud of his teaching. He walked his dog around town and proudly proclaimed, “I taught my dog to whistle!” Then, one day, a neighbor stops the man and says, “I don’t hear your dog whistling.” To which the man responds, “I said I taught him