Pedro Noguera is a sociologist by training and is a professor at UCLA. Center For The Transformation Of Schools.

• Author of many books.
• If ideas are too abstract and we can’t address the practical needs of kids then academia is in trouble.
• Address both the academic and non-academic needs of kids.
• Equality vs. Equity.
• Equality is treating everyone the same.
• It makes no sense in education because we know all kids are different.
• Equity is about understanding differences. It is not about lowering the standards. Compensate for needs that kids that bring.
• Adjust how we do homework to meet the needs of kids that are in front of us.
• Don’t penalize kids because they don’t have the same circumstances as someone else.
• Many kids are relational learners and they will learn better with people they trust and care about.
• You start from the premise that we do best when we are in a community.
• The conditions for learning
• Community
• More likely to punish kids with the greatest needs.
• What sorts of things must we do to make edu equitable for kids.
• Build a partnership with the family.
• Partnership must be rooted in trust and respect in order for it to have success.
• Teachers get almost no training on how to work with parents, especially when parents are from a different
• We don’t want to judge anyone.
• What we want is empathy. It is not pity, it is not looking down on anyone. We don’t make excuses for them.
• When we act with empathy, we demonstrate that we care.
• How do we build empathy?
• “You know more about your child than I do. What can you tell me about your child that will help me teach him or her.”
• It is important to let the parent know that we are aware of their child.
• Parents want their child to be successful.
• It should Never be the case that the only time we talk with parents is when children are in trouble.

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Are you feeling like you are always behind at school? Do you feel like you need about 2 more hours each day to accomplish everything? Here’s how I help principals work manageable hours: Create your ideal week, so that you can leave work at work and enjoy your life!

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Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL, and Renaissance Learning:

As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success. We believe that technology can unlock a more effective learning experience, ensure that students get the personalized teaching they need to thrive, and help educators and administrators to truly, fully, See Every Student. Learn more at renaissance.com.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. 

These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation.

We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.