Episode 21: What to Do After Testing (When Everyone Is Checked Out) | The Edu20/20 Podcast

Edu20/20

May 26, 2026

Testing is done, everyone is checked out, and there are still weeks left. In the season finale, Courtney and Shannon share meaningful ways to use post-testing time: trying new strategies, giving students ownership and voice, and creative review that isn’t busywork.

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Welcome back to the Edu20/20 Podcast… and yes, this is the season finale.

We’re talking about that very specific time of year. Testing? Done. Kids? Done.
Teachers? Definitely DONE.

And somehow, you still have weeks left. This episode is all about what to do with that time– keeping things meaningful without making it harder on yourself. We’re sharing what we’ve tried, what worked, what didn’t, and how to use this stretch of the year in a way that still feels worth it.

There’s a mix of ideas in here:

  • Trying new strategies without the pressure
  • Giving students more ownership and voice
  • Creative ways to revisit content without it feeling repetitive
  • Projects, reflection, and actually building humans (not just finishing standards)

Chapters:
0:00 Last episode energy (and why this time of year is weird)
2:23 What to do after testing ends
3:42 Using this time to try new strategies
5:42 Creative projects that still connect to content
7:30 Letting students give feedback (and actually listening)
10:34 Making review meaningful instead of busywork
13:46 Prioritizing what actually matters
15:07 Ending the year on a high note

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What’s Next

Real change in your classroom starts here.

  • Smiling educator holds up a copy of The Tier One Curriculum Trap during a professional learning session as participants work together at tables.
  • Edu20/20 team member supports two educators as they review training materials together during a professional learning session.
  • Educator reviews a printed curriculum lesson and takes notes during a professional learning session.
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  • Two educators review an Edu20/20 instructional profile worksheet together during a professional learning session.
  • Edu20/20 presenter smiles while talking with two educators during a professional learning event.
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  • Group of educators collaborate around a table, reviewing notes and adding ideas to a large chart during a professional learning session.
  • Edu20/20 team member smiles while speaking with attendees at an education conference booth.
  • Two educators collaborate at a table, organizing pink sticky notes on a planning template during a professional learning session.
  • Two educators laugh together while working with sticky notes on a planning template during a professional learning session.
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