A Slice with 'Dice

Recognizing dissatisfaction is only half the work; the other half is knowing how to act on it. Schools can respond with three core levers — but only when sequenced wisely do these interventions close satisfaction gaps. In episode four of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the three levers of practice — acceleration, elevation, and separation — that educators can u...

When intentionalities blend, they form distinct paradigms of student experience — each carrying its own risks and opportunities. Understanding these blends can help educators design responses that truly match students’ needs. In episode three of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice examines the three main paradigms of student experience — Transitional, Transformational, and...

Students express dissatisfaction in different ways — some want more rigor, others long for belonging, while still others need a whole new context. Recognizing these intentionalities helps educators respond with precision rather than guesswork. In episode two of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the three intentionalities that shape student dissatisfaction: Eclips...

Every student has moments of restlessness in school, but what if that dissatisfaction isn’t a problem to solve — what if it’s the clearest sign of readiness to grow? By reframing dissatisfaction as a signal, educators can uncover hidden pathways of student agency. In episode one of a six-part series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the idea of the “satisfaction gap” — the distanc...

For many juniors, the PSAT feels like a dress rehearsal for the SAT—a low-stakes warm-up that doesn’t really matter. But hidden behind that “practice” label is one of the biggest scholarship opportunities in high school. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why students shouldn’t blow off the PSAT this October, unpacking how it serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test...

In school, failure is often treated as something to be avoided at all costs. But what if failure is actually the very thing that unlocks growth? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on his recent training journey with former world champion arm wrestler Monster Michael Todd, drawing parallels between strength training and the growth mindset educators seek to instill in students. Along...

Why do gifted, talented, and motivated students leave behind the comfort of home, their local schools, and the friends and teachers they’ve known for years to take on something more demanding and more challenging? The answer, at its heart, comes down to dissatisfaction. In this six-part special series, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice introduces the Catalytic Agency Model of Talent Develop...

College admissions come with a dictionary’s worth of terms, but not all pathways are created equal. From binding commitments to open access, each one shapes the journey differently. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the major types of college admissions—Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, Rolling Admission, and more—breaking down what each option means, who they work be...

College and scholarship essays shouldn’t read like résumés in disguise. They should read like a small, true story that changed how you see the world—told clearly, humbly, and in your own voice. In this double-sized episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores five guiding questions to help you choose a specific scene in context, blend action with reflection, echo your opening in the...

No clip show. No celebrity drop-ins. No tear-filled montage set to soft piano. Just slice number 100 served hot and ready. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice looks back and ahead, exploring the threads that have shaped the podcast so far and why the best conversations are still to come. For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.com . You can also follow him on Twitter/X , Link...

Prestige TV has given us a new metaphor for education: Surf Dracula. The idea comes from a viral critique of shows that delay their own premise—spending entire seasons on backstory before ever letting the main character do the thing the audience tuned in for. In education, we fall into the same trap when students are told to sit through endless setup before they ever get to “surf” for themselves....

In its first year, AP Precalculus drew over 184,000 students — the largest launch in AP history — and reached learners often left out of advanced math. It’s opening doors for first-generation, Black, Hispanic, rural, and later-starting students who didn’t take Algebra I or Geometry in middle school.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how the course is reshaping the calculus pathway...

The language of therapy is everywhere — from TikTok feeds to hallway conversations. Young people are learning to name their feelings and advocate for themselves like never before. But with that new vocabulary comes a risk: overgeneralizing, self-diagnosing, and shutting down dialogue before it starts.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the double-edged sword of gaining mental healt...

Recommendation letters can make or break a college or scholarship application, yet many fall flat simply because the recommender doesn’t have enough detail to work with. That’s where a brag sheet comes in. In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the purpose of brag sheets, what to include, and how they transform vague, generic letters into powerful, personal endorsements...

The debate over admissions at selective public high schools has never been more urgent. With cases like Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia and Stuyvesant High School in New York drawing national attention, the question remains: how do these schools balance excellence with equity in an era where traditional methods are under legal and cultural scrutiny? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdic...

The first month of school is when excitement gives way to routine, and for gifted students that often brings a mix of confidence, pressure, and hidden struggles. In this episode, ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice reflects on why now is the right time for parents to pause and check in with their students. He explores how families can open space for honest conversations about academics, frien...

For the first time in years, the Ivy League admissions cycle may actually feel a little less brutal. Shifts in international enrollment, standardized testing, and demographics are reshaping the landscape — and the Class of 2026 could be in a better position than recent applicants. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why this year’s high school seniors might face slightly improved odd...

The beginning of a school year can feel overwhelming — new classes, higher expectations, and the pressure to be perfectly prepared. But waiting to “feel ready” only delays growth. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores why readiness is not about certainty or perfection but about choosing to step forward, even when doubts remain. For additional thoughts from Corey, visit coreyalderdice.c...

What if gifted students aren’t thriving—but simply surviving? In a culture where busyness is worn like a badge of honor, many high-achieving students are burning out before they even get started.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the pervasive influence of grind culture on gifted students, how it distorts their sense of self-worth, disconnects them from the present moment, and ult...

Clarity doesn’t always arrive with a lightning bolt—it tends to whisper, revealing itself slowly through moments, conversations, and reflection. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how seasons of transition challenge our desire for quick answers and immediate resolution. In this episode, he reflects on why clarity is less about arriving at a final answer and more about trusting the g...

The school year may start with bells and routines, but what it really signals is a new transition—for students, teachers, and entire institutions.   ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how each academic year is less a continuation and more a transformation, drawing on insights from Bruce Feiler’s Life Is in the Transitions to reflect on change as both inevitable and essential. As sch...

Think Vanderbilt is your backup plan? Think again. As selective colleges outside the Ivy League become even harder to get into, the admissions game is shifting in unexpected ways. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how schools like Rice, WashU, Emory, and Northwestern—often called the “New Ivies”—have turned the idea of a safety school on its head. In this episode, you'll learn...

Leadership might be like managing a bank account you didn't even know you had—and every tough decision comes with a withdrawal. ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores the concept of leadership as a declining balance, explaining how trust and goodwill gradually erode with difficult decisions, even amid meaningful successes. He discusses practical ways leaders can strategically manag...

Why do students rave about AP Calculus but groan through AP Italian? It turns out, the reasons go deeper than just tough exams or tricky homework. A recent Education Week article, drawing on new data from The College Board, reveals which AP courses students find most and least satisfying—and why their experiences vary so widely.  ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores what makes some AP...

What if doing it “worst” is actually the smartest move you can make? ASMSA Executive Director Corey Alderdice explores how perfectionism holds so many gifted students back from ever taking the first step. Drawing inspiration from the Wright Brothers—who technically built the worst airplane in the world simply because they were the first—Corey unpacks why getting something down on paper, however ro...