Student Voice-Transformative or Symbolic?
Francis is the student body president. She has a 4.3 GPA. She is enrolled in honors and AP classes and has gained early admission to Stanford University. She is a regular contributor to the school newspaper and a member of the varsity tennis team. She has also won two state championships in speech and debate.… Read More ›
Transforming Research by Having Students Lead the Investigations
In the education world, well-intentioned adults often gather to discuss evidence-based instructional techniques they intend to implement to improve student outcomes. Educators, administrators, non-profit leaders, and policy officials huddle—sometimes together, sometimes separately—to consider best practices and greatest impact. They ask questions like “How can we reach all students? How can we prepare for them for… Read More ›
Awareness, Knowledge, Action: One Middle-School Classroom’s Journey to Empowerment
College pennants hang on the walls of a charter middle school and shout the names of academic institutions far from this western US city. “HARVARD,” one reads in big, block letters. “MICHIGAN,” “TEXAS,” “WILLIAM & MARY.* The charter school has gone all-in on college. Students start the day by gathering in a large room the… Read More ›
When Personalized Learning Also Boosts Special Education Students
This article looks at Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School which is successfully serving a large number of students with learning disabilities, in part because of its commitment to personalizing learning. Students progress at their own rate, not in grade-by-grade lockstep. Teachers are trained to give all students targeted, individualized support with the help of an integrated student information… Read More ›
Making Connections: 53 Teenagers Suggest Creative Ways to Link School Curriculum to the World of 2019
This article in the New York Times showcases the winners of a contest asking students to connect what they are learning in school to their own lives. It includes the full text of the articles submitted by the winners as well as excerpts from runner-ups. Students found new connections between literature and historical events they are… Read More ›
Shift Your Paradigm
In partnership with Education Reimagined, TLTalkRadio hosts Randy Ziegenfuss and Lynn Fuini-Hetten host this podcast focused on learner-centered learning and leadership. Episodes address the dynamic question: Does leadership look different in the learner-centered paradigm compared to the school-centered paradigm? The hosts interview pioneers from across the nation. In the featured kick-off episode, they lay the… Read More ›
What Student-Centered Schools Look Like
This Education Week special report offers practical examples of student-centered strategies to help schools better meet the personal and academic needs of learners. Strategies highlighted include making classroom content more engaging; helping students forge bonds with each other; prioritizing students in the school’s professional development and discipline approaches; supporting students’ lifestyle needs including mealtimes, sleep, and… Read More ›
Finding Voice, Taking Action: Sociopolitical Development for Middle-Schoolers and Beyond
College pennants hang on the walls of a charter middle school and shout the names of academic institutions far from this western US city. “HARVARD,” one reads in big, block letters. “MICHIGAN,” “TEXAS,” “WILLIAM & MARY.” The charter school has gone all-in on college. Students start the day by gathering in a large room the… Read More ›
3 Lessons from Students about Improving School Culture
This article describes the Youth Leadership Program developed at Vestavia Hills High School in Birmingham, Alabama to improve school climate and culture. The school committed to putting students in the drivers seat as well as ensuring the program was for all students not just a subsection of the traditionally most successful. School staff share the… Read More ›
7 Ways to Spark Engagement
This practical article looks at student engagement. It discusses the importance of sparking curiosity to engage students in learning. The article includes many tips to spark engagement in the classroom, such as using puzzles and introducing controversy. This article is full of ideas for classroom teachers of any subject, especially high school educators. Source Organization:… Read More ›
Here’s What Happened When Students Solved Social Media Problems With Design Thinking
This article provides a peek into a student-centered classroom. In this elective high school course on digital literacy students used a design-thinking process to table an issue of importance to them. Students brainstormed concerns around the use of social media and came up with potential solutions. This article could be a great conversation starter for… Read More ›
Could Giving Parents Homework Help Students?
This article describes a pilot program to include families in student’s learning conducted by the nonprofit, PowerMyLearning, at South Bronx Preparatory. Once every one to two weeks teachers assign family playlists, homework that includes two project-based activities, one for the student and another in which the student teaches the concept to a family member. This… Read More ›