Bridging Digital Divides Between Schools and Communities

The paper looks at the gap between internet connectivity at schools and within under-resourced, low-income communities, which is often referred to as the homework divide. The author looks at data collected from schools in two different cities—Marion, Alabama, and Phoenix, Arizona, where access at school is high due to participation in the ConnectED initiative, a… Read More ›

The Science of Talking in Class

In this article, one of the authors discusses the findings of a recent review of the research studies on the effectiveness of collaboration in the classroom. The study, “How effective is peer interaction in facilitating learning? A meta-analysis,” was published in the Journal of Educational Psychology. The author offers some take aways for teachers implementing… Read More ›

From the Pueblo to College: The Journey of Two Rural Students

This series of three videos documents the personal and academic stories of two students from the Pueblo of Jemez in New Mexico. Temeya Gachupin from Walatowa High Charter School, run by the Pueblo of Jemez, and Justin Madalena from Jemez Valley High School, a traditional district school, discuss the challenges they faced in high school… Read More ›

Competency-Based Transformation in Northern Cass School District Series

The three pieces in this series, look at the transformation of Northern Cass School District, a rural district in North Dakota, to a competency education model. The Evolution of Competency-Based Transformation in Northern Cass outlines how the district gained support and prepared to begin the transformation Framing Habits of Work and Capstone Skills in Northern… Read More ›

Quality Counts 2020

Every year, Education Week releases a Quality Counts report which examines state-level efforts to improve public education and pulls together a large number of statistics to create a picture of progress in each state. A National Summary Report and State Highlight Reports rank each state using the Chance-for-Success Index, which looks at 13 family, school,… Read More ›

Ready for Take Off: Youth Action Researchers at the Intersection (YARI)

At the YARI Kick-Off Event last week, we welcomed into the Student-Centered Learning Research Collaborative family ten youth researchers who are “twice exceptional” — they possess both a learning difference and face marginalization connected to race, language, sexuality, and/or income. KnowledgeWorks is leading the project with our partners from the Center for Youth and Community… Read More ›

Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST)

CAST is a nonprofit research and development organization that works to expand learning opportunities for all individuals, especially those with disabilities, through Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Developed by CAST, UDL is a widely recognized framework to guide the design of learning experiences to proactively meet the needs of all learners. The organization conducts research… Read More ›

Youth and Adults Transforming Schools Together

This organization was founded in Vermont to increase student voice in decision-making and engagement in learning. Youth and adults participate together in action research to identify areas for growth, share data, and take actions. Teams focus on four areas: rigor, relevance, relationships, and responsibility. The two overview videos provide an excellent introduction to the approach.… Read More ›

Youth Participatory Action Research Hub

This site features a curriculum to empower students to begin Youth Participatory Action Research (YPAR). Through YPAR young people are trained to conduct systematic research to improve their their communities and the institutions intended to serve them. The YPAR Hub, a partnership between the University of California, Berkeley and San Francisco Peer Resources, houses the… Read More ›

Youth Action Researchers at the Intersection – A Story Begins!

For most of us who work in education reform, we strive to pursue education equity and eliminate the opportunity gap so that all students can flourish. But predominant policies and approaches persistently fail to move the needle on student outcomes. Within all these efforts that aspire for equity and inclusive excellence, what role do students… Read More ›

Exploring the Impact of Personalized Learning on Student Outcomes

  We believe in the power of personalized, competency-based learning because we want each and every student to learn and be challenged as individuals. We believe it is the path toward equitable outcomes for ALL students. We intuitively understand that having clear learning targets, meaningful and flexible assessments, personalized student supports, and student ownership of their own… Read More ›

The Blogs You Loved from 2019

Throughout 2019, educators and researchers from across the country have shared blogs about their goals, passions, challenges and triumphs working towards building and sustaining equity-driven and student-centered practices in classrooms, schools and local communities. Here are some of your favorites: 1. The Mastery Collaborative Approach: Student Centered, Culturally Responsive, and Competency-Based “As a community, the… Read More ›