Alana McWilliams

[KAHALA @KAHALA123Y]

If you're a teacher, I have a new "using AI is like using a forklift on the weights at the gym" metaphor I've been using.

I asked my students (they're in 7th grade) the thing they are really good at making for themselves in the kitchen. It's what you'd expect: Mac & cheese, PB&J, noodles, eggs.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@EducationNext This was a really interesting conversation, I didn’t realize the bipartisan support. I think a great follow up is the Hechinger Report article related to how public schools can take advantage of the ESA vouchers.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@alexanderrusso I don’t know if you can say Kansas is “studying” it. We will likely adopt a model that USD 259, our largest district is using despite evidence that suggest analog practices have better outcomes. This plan will likely go into effect before new SBOE members are sworn in Jan 2027.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@thegrade_ Compelling argument.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@eduleadership Project Follow Through… direct, explicit instruction in all subjects.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@karenvaites @rosehorowitch It’s a great read. I wept twice… and read it out loud to my husband. When I say it’s going to take all of us to fix our literacy issue, her piece puts it into words. We don’t read enough. Even my attempts to share content I’m reading, gets a fraction of the reach as a reel.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@RachelReneeRee1 Some of those books are on our son’s freshman high school reading list. But kudos to great literature. More reading, not less!

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@karenvaites “I started my teaching career working with students with dyslexia.” That’s not the flex she thinks it is… so did every other teacher in America. The 1 in 5 we’ve overlooked- and practices that miss the vast majority of kids. Better training- maybe she should read the Birsh Book.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@rpondiscio Such a great piece— and my favorite line of your piece… “Call it a vibe shift, or perhaps simply a new sobriety about reading and what it will take to arrest its long decline.” 🙌

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@karenvaites Yes… I was actually moved to tears as I went to tell my girls to go to bed for the millionth time… and my middle school child (dyslexic) was reading to her younger sister with a nightlight. Literacy is the best reason to disobey!

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@karenvaites I mean I enjoy your takes— and I point to your commentary all the time. You do a wonderful job articulating the implementation gap. Classroom-applicable training and HQIM is missing link in most schools. We spend millions on basal-based curriculum and wonder why kids struggle.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@MrZachG Do you need testers and feedback?

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@karenvaites @C_Hendrick Such a brilliant argument— it’s the modern more digestible take to what E.D. Hirsch, Jr. has been writing about for decades. Hoping our state, Kansas, will take notice.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@daisychristo @tombennett71 @researchED1 Absolutely brilliant!

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@rastokke @HughesHaili Also, one of the things that I always questioned, is UDL being substituted for robust, explicit instruction, which works best for all learners.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@MrZachG @rpondiscio @AEIeducation Such a great piece! People often frame this as explicit instruction vs. deep learning, but Project Follow Through shows that's a false choice. The students who received the most explicit, systematic instruction also demonstrated some of the strongest outcomes. Keep sharing!

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@JeffChanin @MrZachG @rpondiscio @AEIeducation Two different stages. Explicit instruction builds the schemas and background knowledge novice learners need. Once that foundation is established, students can engage in deeper transfer, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Those aren't competing approaches; they're sequential.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@Dale_Chu @rosehorowitch @TheAtlantic Man, this was such a bleak read. I actually wept.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@Dale_Chu This is such promising news. Multifaceted approach, but I love the mandatory summer school over just holding back. Give kids the opportunity to help them close the gap.

[Alana McWilliams @AMcwilliam26216]

@ToddTruitt76508 Has he ever read what NAEP say proficient level skill is for 12th grade? It’s the ability to read two documents, synthesize it and form an opinion— i.e. can a child read and understand.