Innovating Under Pressure: The Story of the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative
This study documents the implementation of the ARRA summer youth employment initiative in four featured communities: Chicago, Illinois; Detroit, Michigan; Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana; and Phoenix and Maricopa County, Arizona. This report describes the local context for implementation, provides insight into specific assets and innovations that were used to achieve the community goals, identifies… Read More ›
Unfinished Work: Building Excellence in Washington DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program
This study by Brandeis University identifies best practices and examines the potential of Washington DC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) as currently organized to provide the city’s young people with an introduction to work, with opportunities to earn money over the summer, and with positive learning experiences that support their future employability. Source Organization: Center… Read More ›
Creative Transitions Initiative
This report, on the Creative Transitions Initiative, demonstrated that arts programs, although very brief, can be valued by young people and DYS youth workers, and have the potential to produce an array of positive experiences and outcomes for young people in DYS facilities. In 2005, a statewide “ArtsInFusion” coalition was formed in Massachusetts to integrate the… Read More ›
New Teacher Survival Guide: Differentiating Instruction
This 13 minute video features a new chemistry teacher working with an expert in differentiated instruction to modify a lesson to meet the needs of the diverse learners in her classroom. She tries several strategies, including tiered word problems and group work, and discusses her successes and challenges. To facilitate sharing and self reflection,The Teaching… Read More ›
The Power of Combining Youth Development Principles, Culture and Arts: Findings of a Study of the Culture & Arts Youth Development Initiative
This study from the Skillman Foundation features the results of an evaluation of its Culture and Arts Youth Development Initiative, which integrates youth development with arts and culture by providing youth in underdeveloped neighborhoods opportunities to participate in long-term exposure to the arts. The findings are based on the evaluation of the first four years… Read More ›
Documenting Stories of Immigration in Your Community
This resource provides information on how to empower students to become more engaged with the issue of immigration and provides a manual for teachers and students for getting started. Source Organization: What Kids Can Do Visit the Resource
The Courage to Confront Equity Issues in Competency Education
This article discusses the importance of maintaining conversations about equity as the field moves towards more learner-centered models. It makes compelling arguments for thinking about and working to alleviate five key equity concerns: Keeping students in school Addressing inequity in educational/social capital Balancing personal choices and equity in the transition from high school to life Language as asset… Read More ›
Teaching about Ferguson, Eric Garner, and Beyond
What Kids Can Do has created a list of resources that offer teachers a good place to start the conversations we need–and, in some cases, support students in taking restorative action. Visit Teaching about Ferguson, Eric Garner, and Beyond on the What Kids Can Do website.
Connected Learning Research Network
This interdisciplinary research network is dedicated to understanding the opportunities and risks for learning afforded by today’s changing media ecology, as well as building new learning environments that support effective learning and educational equity. The work of the network focuses on a model of connected learning — learning that is socially connected, interest-driven, and oriented towards… Read More ›
Equity in Competency Education: Realizing the Potential, Overcoming the Obstacles
This second paper of Students at the Center’s Competency Education Research Series examines equity concerns in competency education through the lens of family income, exploring the effects and implications, as well as proposing potential mitigations. Equity is both a central goal and a fundamental value of competency education. Competency-based approaches are designed to promote equity… Read More ›
Students at the Center Newsletter – September 2014
Subscribe to the Students at the Center Mailing List View the September 2014 newsletter for the latest publications, articles, tools, and announcements from Students at the Center!
The Past and The Promise: Today’s Competency Education Movement Executive Summary
Competency education is attracting significant interest as a promising way to help meet our national priority of ensuring that all young people are ready for college and careers. In competency-based schools, students advance at different rates, based on their ability to demonstrate mastery of learning objectives. Teachers provide customized supports to help propel everyone to… Read More ›