November 24, 2025

Dear Educator,

The call for a truly learner-centered ecosystem is louder than ever. Districts across the country are wrestling with shrinking enrollment, rising disengagement, stagnant outcomes, and a growing sense that the traditional, one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t match what students and families need today.

Meanwhile, the world around us is shifting fast. With AI and other emerging technologies transforming how we live and work, information is no longer the prized asset it once was—it’s everywhere at the tap of a phone or click of a mouse.

What matters now is how learners use that information: their ability to think critically, solve complex problems, collaborate, and navigate change with empathy and integrity. These human strengths deepen when learning experiences spark curiosity, honor students’ agency, and strengthen connection.

This reality makes us excited to start a new workstream in California. More on that below!

With Gratitude,

Celebrating School Redesign in California

Last week, the California Collaborative for Educational Excellence (CCEE) announced the 14 organizations selected to support the California Secondary School Redesign Pilot Program.

We’re thrilled that Learner-Centered Collaborative will be part of this work and eager to partner with our network of districts—and with the other selected organizations—to help reimagine what secondary learning can look like for today’s students.

Interested in learning more about school redesign? Find a time to connect with our team here.

Learner jobs create a sense of ownership for learners and empower them to take on responsibilities that make the learning community thrive. Explore examples of the types of jobs learners might tackle in your classroom, regardless of age!

Resources to advance your learner-centered practice

📖 5 Tips for Launching Internships and Apprenticeships in Your District. "The goal is to help students see themselves in the world beyond school and prepare them to shape it." Connect learners to real-world learning.

🎥 How Districts Are Making Big Moves to Create Learner-Centered Systems. "Listen to students and understand their experience. From there, you'll know what Big Moves you need to focus on in your context." Watch here.

🎥 Join us live on December 9th! "Join us for an engaging, interactive conversation that puts practice at the center. In this one-hour session, you’ll hear authentic stories, creative strategies, and real-life insights from three schools navigating the shift to competency-based learning." Register here.