When Success is the Only Option: Designing Competency-Based Pathways for Next Generation Learning
Competency-based policy is often described simply as flexibility in awarding credit, or an alternative to the Carnegie unit. However, this does not capture the depth of transformation of a system shifting from a time-based system to a learning-based system. This report explores the driving forces behind competency-based innovations and implementation issues, and highlights a number… Read More ›
A New Era of Education Reform: Preparing All Students for Success in College, Career and Life
This report is on the 2010 statewide survey conducted by the Rennie Center for Education Research & Policy of superintendents, charter school leaders, and principals to gauge the extent to which they support the integration of 21st century skills into public education. In an increasingly complex and global economy, the knowledge and skills required for students… Read More ›
Disconnected Young Adults in New England
This study provides an overview of the scope, scale, and consequences of the current disconnected young adult challenge. The authors offer policy recommendations to make the education system more flexible for this high-risk population. In New England alone, 10%, or 142,000 young adults ages 18-24 are “disconnected,” or leaving the public education system without the… Read More ›
Building Multiple Pathways: Approaches, Relevant Programs and Implementation Considerations
This report from the Nellie Mae Education Foundation offers alternatives, or “multiple pathways” for learners to be prepared for post-secondary options. High school graduation rates for students from traditionally underserved populations tend to be low—figures show that students from families with income in the bottom 20% dropped out of high school at six times the rate… Read More ›
Critical Hours: Afterschool Programs and Educational Success
This report draws on research from a range of fields to establish the context for afterschool programs and their role in academic success. By examining afterschool programs, the report provides an overview of positive outcomes that set students up for engaged, lifelong learning. Experiences during adolescence shape students’ futures as learners and individuals. Afterschool time… Read More ›
Student-Centered Learning Environments: How and Why
An educator’s role is changing from the traditional “imparter of knowledge” to that of coach and consultant. Do-it-yourself, student-to-student teaching, project-based learning, and student-centered learning environments are some of the more encouraging programs that promote this idea. This resource page from Edutopia offers a list of resources and posts about these methodologies. Source Organization: Edutopia… Read More ›
Maine Department of Education
This website, Maine’s Department of Education, provides information about the state’s vision, goals, and core priorities. Maine’s website is well-organized and provides education information for a number of different audiences. It is worth taking a look at if you are interested in learning more about how a state might support a student-centered education system. Source… Read More ›
Maine Department of Education Youtube channel
A curated set of videos showcasing what education looks like in Maine. Featured videos include: A Teacher’s Perspective: Unpacking the Standards; History Day: School-wide Performance Assessment; Student Choice & Voice: At Their Own Pace. Videos cut across K-12, but many of the videos tend to be set in elementary and middle school. See a sample… Read More ›
Council of Chief State School Officers: Innovation Lab Network
The Innovation Lab Network (ILN) is a group of states taking action to identify, test, and implement student-centered approaches to learning that will transform our public education system. The goal of the ILN is to spur system-level change by scaling locally-led innovation to widespread implementation, both within and across states, with a constant focus on… Read More ›
iWalkthrough
This system was developed to help educators continually improve instructional quality and school improvement. iWalkthrough is a collaborative, education technology-driven system for collecting and analyzing data on school-wide practices that is opening new frontiers in data-informed self-analysis and comprehensive professional development for schools. The system provides a wealth of information for educators, helping them strengthen… Read More ›
TEDEd: Lessons Worth Sharing
Use engaging videos to create customized lessons, one can adapt and edit any lesson featured on TED-Ed, or create lessons from scratch around any YouTube video. Watch the video to learn how. Source Organization: TEDEd VISIT THE RESOURCE
Making Writing Essential to Teens Lives
This guide on teen-writing includes interviews with inspiring teachers, tips, and a diverse collection of student writing projects from across the country-all with a public audience in mind. The guide also includes resources for teaching writing in a student-centered way. Source Organization: What Kids Can Do VISIT THE RESOURCE