Shaped

A community-driven blog supporting educators, building lifelong learners, and shaping the future of education.* 

 

OVER 10 MILLION READS

Featured Posts

Student with laptop showing data chart

How K-12 Administrators Can Run a 10-Minute ELA Audit

Use this 10-minute ELA curriculum audit to quickly scan your school’s full ELA system for research-aligned literacy indicators, identify gaps, and plan next steps

Read More
How to align instruction with the science of reading

Meeting the AI Moment in Education—and How We Get It Right

AI is reshaping education—discover how to harness its potential and ensure we get it right for learners everywhere.

Read Now
HCS Hero

Henry County Schools’ Strategic Approach to High-Quality Instruction in Every Classroom

See how one school system created a unified approach to instruction—aligning curriculum, professional learning, and feedback into a clear, scalable playbook.

Zoe Del Mar

Read More
Hero 180 award winners

5 Things We Can Learn from This Year’s 180 Award Winners

From goal-setting to classroom routines, here are five practices shaping the success of this year’s 180 Award-winning teachers.

Brenda Iasevoli

Read More
HMH Brand Photos 2024 Lifestyle G7 138 1600x900

Intervention vs. Remediation in Education: How They’re Different & Why That Matters

Compare intervention vs remediation in education, including how they're different, why they're important, and strategies and activities to implement them

Dr. Bonnie Cochran

Read More

Latest Posts

HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G1 224 16x9

How Connected Coaching Helps Districts Turn Data into Daily Instruction 

What helps data actually shape classroom practice? Explore how connected coaching links assessment, planning, and professional learning to support daily instructional decisions.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Characteristics High Quality Assessment HMH Brand Photos 2024 Contextual G11 164 1600x900

Characteristics of High-Quality Assessment in Education

Learn about the characteristics of high-quality assessment in education, plus get tips for selecting them.

Jonathan Fine
Shaped Contributor

student filling out a graphic organizer

Common Formative Assessment Templates and Graphic Organizers  

Try these common formative assessment templates and graphic organizers that help educators interpret student thinking and inform next instructional steps.

Christen Spehr
Shaped Editor

Happy student in classroom

New Study: Performance Suite Drives Significant Student Achievement Gains 

Third party research study finds students using Performance Suite increased ELA proficiency by 12%—more than double a comparison school’s gains. See the results.

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Policyin Motion hero k2data

Mixed Achievement Trends for Our Youngest Students

New NWEA data shows K–2 reading scores remain stalled and math gaps persist—reinforcing why sustained, evidence-based early learning policies are critical.

Lindsay Dworkin
Senior Vice President, Policy & Government Affairs

TMA Math180 v3 00 02 12 13 Still001

Lessons From Thurgood Marshall Academy: How Data Drives Purposeful Intervention and Growth

Discover how one school uses data-driven intervention to accelerate learning, close gaps, and boost student confidence.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2453650 Shaped 2025 Blog Post Arlington ISD Customer Story Hero

How Arlington ISD Built a Strong, Data‑Driven Intervention System

Learn how Arlington ISD in Texas strengthened its MTSS model with data-driven practices and high‑impact interventions like Read 180 and Math 180.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

WF2503352 Hero

What Is Progress Monitoring in Education? 

Zoe Del Mar
Shaped Executive Editor

Adam Withycombe
NWEA principal content designer, HMH

Dryw Freed, EdD
NWEA lead content designer, HMH

Hero Think Pair Share Activities WF2408550

Think-Pair-Share Activities

Discover engaging think-pair-share activities, instructions, rubrics, and examples to boost classroom collaboration and learning.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

Shaddoe Lambert
Former Teacher; HMH Product Manager

WF2408602 What Is Universal Screening in Education hero 2

What is Universal Screening in Education?

Learn about what is universal screening in education and how this proactive, school-wide process helps teachers spot student needs and inform instruction.

Jennifer Corujo
Shaped Editor

Hero Morgan County WV 5 0 00 01 09 09 Still003

Inside a Rural West Virginia District’s Journey to Reading Growth

Discover how Morgan County School District in rural West Virginia boosted reading proficiency through Read 180® and MAP® Growth™. Learn actionable strategies for early intervention, data-driven instruction, and fostering student confidence

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

WF2434450 Benefits formative assessment Hero

Benefits of Formative Assessment

Formative assessment is the ongoing process of gathering evidence of learning throughout instruction and using it to adjust instruction. Learn more about the benefits of formative assessment.

Dr. Michael J. Bolz
Principal Learning Experience Designer, HMH

Hero Blog Post Using assessment data to inform instruction Hero

Using Assessment Data to Inform Instruction

Explore why using assessment data to inform instruction is key to making informed teaching decisions and improving student achievement.

Jonathan Fine
Shaped Contributor

Two students working togetherhero WF2408563

Turn and Talk Strategy in the Classroom: Purposeful Peer Conversations

Discover how using the turn and talk strategy in the classroom can boost engagement, support formative assessment, and enhance student learning.

Onalee Smith
Shaped Contributor

WF2445918 Dorchester SC Story Hero

Opening Doors in Dorchester 2: A Districtwide Reading Success Story

Dorchester School District Two in South Carolina uses MTSS along with Read 180 to ensure all students find success in reading.

Richard Blankman
Shaped Executive Editor

Policyin Motion hero data

The data dilemma: We measure learning, but do we act on it?

Learn how education data, when used wisely, helps make great teaching possible and improves student outcomes.

Francie Alexander
Senior Vice President, Efficacy & Consulting Research

Hero data culture quiz 2

Quiz: How Strong Is the Data Culture in Your School or District?

Take our quiz to see how well your school or district uses data to inform instruction, and get resources for building a more cohesive data culture.

Shaped Staff

New student learning needs quiz hero 2

Quiz: Are Learning Needs Going Unmet in Your Schools?

Take our quick quiz to reflect on your current practices, identify blind spots, and take the first step toward a more cohesive instructional system.

Shaped Staff

AWARDS & ACCOLADES

Shorty Audience Honor 1x1 png

Shorty Awards

Audience Honor, 2023, Shaped

Digiday Finalist Awards 1x1 png

Digiday Content Marketing Awards

Finalist, 2023, Shaped

Podcast Awards Peoples Choice Awards 1x1 png

People’s Choice Podcast Awards

Finalist, 2021 & 2023, Teachers in America

*The views expressed in our blog are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.