Empowering Advocates for Educational Transformation

Close Up of Microphone

This was originally posted by Nellie Mae Education Foundation on Medium on April 4, 2017 . Introducing the 2017 Nellie Mae Education Foundation Speakers Bureau All too often, those most directly involved in and affected by our education system are ignored or silenced. At the Nellie Mae Education Foundation, we believe that these voices are… Read More ›

Relationships Bloom When Students Are Seen and Heard

This article, written by educators in Cherry Hill Public Schools in New Jersey, makes a case for the importance of  student voice, and discusses how their district amplifies it. Some of these tips include starting activities like student-led town hall meetings, and establishing strong relationships through positive recognition programs. The article also shares feedback on how… Read More ›

How Baltimore CPS Used Communications Strategies to Create Personalized Learning Buy-In

This article explores how Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS), prioritized and designed a communications strategy to bring together students, teachers, and families around personalized learning. By working to build authentic relationships, their communications strategy went beyond just sharing updates with families and teachers. In addition, BCPS used stories of both triumphs and failures to make communication about… Read More ›

Deeper Learning 2017

DL2017 is the 5th annual gathering of powerful educators focused on creating more opportunities for students to learn deeply. Learn More Here. Why attend Deeper Learning 2017? You are an educator who cares deeply about preparing students for college and the careers of tomorrow. You want students thinking critically, collaborating, doing and making. You want… Read More ›

Why Engaging Parents Matters: Maloney High School

Image of Maloney High School

Research suggests that when schools partner with and engage parents to understand and stay involved in their child’s learning experiences, the parents are more likely to support district innovation, and students tend to have better academic and social outcomes.[1] Francis T. Maloney High School in Meriden, Connecticut, held its first “Parent Walk” earlier this year,… Read More ›

RI Personalized Learning Initiative

The Rhode Island (RI) Personalized Learning Initiative was launched in September 2016 by the Rhode Island Office of Innovation with the Rhode Island Department of Education, Highlander Institute, and other partners. It supports educators and administrators statewide in the development, piloting, and growth of new models for personalized learning; and facilitates the sharing of best practices and… Read More ›

2017 STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference

The 2017 STEM + Entrepreneurship Conference is a student-organized, online event which will feature keynote speakers and crowd-sourced presentations by students in grades 6-12 and college.  The online conference provides an international forum for the presentation, discussion, and sharing of best practices in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and entrepreneurship in schools and other academic settings, including: Fostering a better understanding… Read More ›

Making Students Partners Rather Than Pawns in the Change Process

What if we had a window into the thoughts and beliefs of students experiencing the transition to a student-centered model?  How would the insights inform our strategies to support young people through this paradigm shift?  How might students, themselves, be advocates for these changes? Some believe that it is the adults who are reluctant to… Read More ›

7 Tips for Planning a Makerspace

This article offers seven practical tips for creating a makerspace using examples from experts who share insights on planning and execution. Makerspaces are informal workshop environments where students can invent, tinker, and build to increase exposure to STEM subjects and technical disciplines. Topics include ideas to establish a maker culture and involve other stakeholders. This article… Read More ›

What Learning to Code Means for Students

“Coding is the new literacy. To thrive in tomorrow’s society, young people must learn to design, create and express themselves with digital technologies.” –Mitchel Resnick, MIT Media Lab Professor What does “coding is the new literacy” really mean? As programming languages evolve, what students learn today won’t be applicable within a decade or less. Coding… Read More ›

An Overview of Personalized Learning for Schools, Families & Communities

This report provides an overview of student-centered learning for families and community members, using parent-friendly language, short explanations, and many examples. The report first outlines the need for and the basics of personalized learning. It explores, through five short case studies, personalized learning in action and how it differs from traditional learning environments. It also… Read More ›