The MyWays Initiative
MyWays is an initiative of Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC). It is an effort to synthesize a broader, deeper definition of student success: success for learning, working, and living in the fast-changing world facing today’s youth. The initiative seeks to help school communities address big questions in education today by: Fully understanding why a changing world requires reimagining… Read More ›
Policy, Pilots and the Path to Competency-Based Education
This report, produced by the Foundation for Excellence in Education and EducationCounsel, surveys the existing state laws and policies that support competency-based education in K-12 nation-wide. The report explores the creation of innovation and pilot programs, which can be the first step for policymakers. Pilots allow schools and local education agencies (LEAs) to harness existing… Read More ›
Student Voices from Revere High School
These three videos feature students from Revere High School in Massachusetts. Each student discusses the impact a student-centered learning environment has had on their experiences and dreams for the future. These short videos could be used to build community support for a shift to student-centered learning. Source Organization: Imaj Associates
Student-Centered Learning: Building Agency and Engagement
This video from the Edutopia Schools That Work series shows student-centered learning at work at Maloney High School in Meriden Public Schools in CT. Teachers discuss their role as facilitators and detail how student-centered learning tactics are used in their classrooms. These include: Collaborative group work Student choice Inquiry-based activities Authentic tasks Powerful images and voices of… Read More ›
Technology in Education: An Overview
This brief from Education Week provides an overview of the big trends, opportunities, and concerns associated with classroom technology. As technology is used more and more to support learning, the list of trends to follows continues to grow. Topics covered include: Personal and blended learning The evolution of online testing Open education resources Digital resources in… Read More ›
What We Talk About When We Talk About Student Voice
UP for Learning podcast features Vermont students discussing the importance of personalized learning and partnering with adults in school redesign. The podcast explains the 2013 legislation Act 77 in Vermont which was passed to create “flexible pathways” toward graduation to promote student ownership and engagement. Students discuss the impressive projects and courses they can now… Read More ›
Models of Excellence
Models of Excellence is an open resource featuring exemplary pre-K to 12th-grade student work. The collection is curated by EL Education, a collaboration between The Harvard Graduate School of Education and Outward Bound USA, whose mission is to support teachers. The website showcases interdisciplinary projects produced by students around the country. Projects can be searched… Read More ›
The ‘Minecraft Effect’? Educators Hope to Move Students From VR Consumption to Creation
This short article shares ideas about where the future of augmented and virtual reality (AR/VR) might be heading. Using his observations from presentations and exhibitions at SXSWedu, the author makes the claim that new AR/VR technologies may become more immersive for students, creating classrooms and lessons where students take the lead rather than just “consuming the… Read More ›
Proficiency-Based Learning Simplified
This toolkit provides support for schools looking to transition to a proficiency-based system. It focuses on the development of efficient standards-based systems that will prepare all students for success in colleges, careers, and communities of the 21st century. The toolkit outlines 10 key components of an efficient proficiency-based system and introduces the Proficiency-Based Learning Simplified… Read More ›
Materiales en Español/ Spanish Language Resources
The Great Schools Partnership, a nonprofit school-support organization working to redesign public education, has developed a toolkit for school and district leaders to support transition to a proficiency-based system. A section titled ‘Materiales en Español/ Spanish Language Resources’ includes a number of tools translated into Spanish. The following may be of particular interest: Aprendizaje basado en… 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 ›