As the school year winds down, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the incredible progress made in the journey toward learner-centered education. Across classrooms, schools, and districts, we witnessed bold steps, powerful moments of growth, and inspiring examples of what’s possible when we center learners by design.

Learner Agency in Action

This school year, more students took ownership of their learning than ever before. From student-led conferences to passion projects, learners stepped into the driver’s seat, setting goals, reflecting on progress, and showing what they know in ways that matter to them. When given trust, voice, and authentic purpose, students showed us what agency looks like and reminded us that learners flourish when they feel seen, heard, and empowered. 

At LCC, we launched our Learner Advisory Council, focused on centering students in the work with districts across the country, and we continue to learn from their experience and ideas. 

One of my Bright Spots was talking to two high school seniors, Reese and Lexi, about their experience, insights, and ideas for rethinking high school in the age of AI.

Educator Growth and Leadership

From redesigning classroom experiences to facilitating learning defenses, educators modeled curiosity, courage, and commitment to evolving. Educators are the heart of this transformation, and their growth this year has been inspiring. In communities across the country, we partnered with educators as they embraced new mindsets, experimented with new practices, and refined their craft through continuous cycles of learning. 

Communities Aligned Around a Common Vision

Perhaps most powerful was the shared commitment across communities to redefine success. Districts engaged families, staff, and students in shaping their Portraits of a Learner, defining new success metrics through Scorecards, and aligning around what matters most: preparing young people to thrive in a complex, rapidly changing world. This kind of alignment is the foundation for systems-level change.

Big Moves with Bold Impact

Some of the most promising shifts this year came from bold structural changes, what we like to call Big Moves. We saw districts:

• Redesign grading and assessment systems to focus on growth–not just compliance
• Pilot new schedules that prioritize deeper learning and flexibility
• Launch defenses of learning, where students articulate what they know and can do
• Reimagine professional learning as job-embedded, ongoing, and inquiry-driven

Each of these moves has created enabling conditions for more personalized, competency-based, authentic learning.

 Looking Ahead

The work ahead calls us to build on this momentum—to deepen our commitment to learner-centered education, spread promising practices, and continue co-creating systems that honor the uniqueness of every learner. As we plan for next year, we’re excited to expand networks of learner-centered schools, grow our research and development in learner-centered ecosystems, and elevate youth voice as a driver of transformation.

To everyone who’s taken steps—big or small—toward this vision: thank you. You are the reason this movement is growing, and you are the reason we believe the future of learning is bright.

Onward!

You’ve heard about our bright spots – now we want to hear yours! Share your learned-centered learnings with the LCC team here.