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Transforming High School: A Collaborative Journey with Alexandria City Public Schools
In an era where education is evolving to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world, school districts like Alexandria City Public Schools (ACPS) are reimagining the high school experience. With a commitment to innovation and equity, ACPS embarked on a transformative journey to shape the future of education for their diverse student population.…
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Get “Outside” With Us: Exploring Innovative Schools Nationwide
In today’s rapidly changing educational landscape, school district leaders face exciting possibilities when it comes to providing the best learning experiences for students. To accelerate the adoption of these learner-centered models, leaders have the opportunity to learn with and from colleagues nationwide who have done and are doing the work and to build upon…
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A Learner-Centered Research Triad Launches in Southern California
In July of 2023, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and the Learner-Centered Collaborative (LCC) announced a groundbreaking strategic partnership that would unite researchers, practitioners from LCC, and regional districts in advancing learner-centered practices. Among the key objectives of this partnership is to share knowledge and resources and disseminate findings to ensure broader…
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Growth Through Connections
By: Dr. Leighangela Brady, Superintendent, National School District (CA) Dr. Brady shares a first-hand perspective from the Fall 2023 Learner-Centered Connections in-person convening in San Diego, CA where the cohort visited four innovative public schools and Illumina, a biotech company. Hearing directly from a student ambassador panel at Bostonia Global High School in the…
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Getting from School-Centered to Learner-Centered
Photo by Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for EDUimages Some say “schools are broken.” We say schools are doing exactly what they were designed to do 150 years ago–but the needs have drastically changed and it is time to build newer and better systems that support every learner to achieve their goals and engage in…
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4 Strategies for Listening to Students to Spark Change
When thinking about how school buildings have traditionally been constructed, how bell schedules have come to be, and how academic policies have historically been authored, images of adults come to mind. Grownups have been the decision makers. As we think about what school must be for learners today and into the future—a learner-centered experience…
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Building a Guiding Coalition for School Innovation
Monrovia Unified School District Guiding Coalition comprised of the superintendent, school & district leaders, educators, staff, students, parents, board members, and community members. “Invite everyone who cares to work on what’s possible.” – Margaret Wheatley As a former school leader, this concept was always front and center as we worked to innovate and…
Creating a Learner-Centered High School by Listening to Learners
Mineola Public Schools Creating a Learner-Centered High School by Listening to Learners Synergy@ Mineola High School is part of Mineola Schools in Long Island, NY The district serves approximately 2,800 students, with a high school enrollment of 1,056 students in grades 8 through 12. . OUR SERVICES Diagnostic, Coaching, Empathy Interviews, Learning Walks, Strategic…
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Rethinking College and Career Readiness in a Hybrid World
The shift to more flexible, hybrid models in both college and career is happening at the same time as our education system is reverting back to a rigid, seat-time based system that was designed for a different era. Explore how we can best prepare students to be flexible, self-directed learners and contributors to society.
Spark Online Academy: Designing a Learner-Centered Online Public School
Colorado public school Spark Online Academy took the best of pandemic online learning and created a learner-centered, online school steeped in personal connection and engaging learning experiences. Read their story.
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Chapter 3: Designing the Culture for Learning and Innovation
In the 2013–2014 school year, I was on Washington Middle School’s campus regularly. I was supervising teacher candidates at a local university, and as the newest member of the team, I ended up being placed at Washington—the most challenging of schools. I vividly remember walking down the halls marked with yellow caution lines to…