CATALYST

Igniting a Learner-Centered Paradigm

Esteemed Colleague,

Over the past few months, Katie Martin and I have written about why we need to broaden our perspective on what success looks like in our schools and districts. We've introduced the notion of "Accountability Plus" and the utility of scorecards as frameworks to encapsulate a school's identity and aspirations.

Continuing this dialogue, I want to delve into the practical application of scorecards, offering a concrete method to visualize and evaluate the multi-dimensional aspects of educational success.

🔗 Dive into my latest blog post, here.

With anticipation for our shared journey,

RESOURCES

🎯 LEARNER-CENTERED COURSES

THE PERFECT COMPLEMENT TO IN-PERSON PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Evolve educator capacity with asynchronous courses

📖 NEW FROM LEARNER-CENTERED COLLABORATIVE

ARTICLES WE'VE PUBLISHED THIS PAST MONTH

3 Key Shifts from Traditional Grading to Competency-Based Learning and Assessment

"As a teacher, I quickly became frustrated by the limitations of the traditional grading system...This sparked my journey into competency-based learning – an approach that aligns with modern research on how students actually learn and grow."

A Spotlight on the UCSD + LCC Research Convening: New Measures of Success

"The UCSD-LCC partnership convening showcased the unique opportunity for regional leaders and thought partners to work towards a shared vision of learner-centered education...the partnership aims to generate evidence-based solutions and drive systemic change."

Education is Everyone’s Business: Bridging the Gap Between School and Learning for Success in Life

"To effectively prepare learners for success, industry and education must break down silos and work collaboratively toward a shared vision."

Flexing Your Creative Confidence for School Redesign

"While we are all inherently creative beings, creativity is like a muscle in our body. The more we exercise it, the more it grows. The more it grows, the more creative confidence we feel."

Designing Assessments With Learners at the Center

"Assessment in a learner-centered approach...enables educators to gather evidence of learning, provide timely feedback, and tailor instruction to meet the unique needs of each learner."

Elevating Early Innovators to Spark and Sustain Statewide Change

"Indiana’s Employability Skills Initiative represents a concerted effort for students to build the practical competencies essential for thriving in today’s workforce."

🎙️ THE LEARNER-CENTERED COLLABORATIVE PODCAST

TWO NEW EPISODES WORTH ADDING TO YOUR QUEUE 

What Makes a Great Principal? (with George Couros)

"If leaders are going to make these decisions that impact classrooms, teachers, and students, I need you to be around us."

Honoring Growth Over Time With Competency-Based Assessment (with Bryanna Hanson)

"I was unknowingly holding this system up that was making my students focus on the points and the grades."

UPCOMING EVENTS

MAY'S LEARNER-CENTERED CATALYZER

We are thrilled to feature Superintendent Dr. Andrée Grey from Encinitas Union School District, who has exemplified visionary leadership through her inclusive approach to educational planning and commitment to environmental sustainability.

Under Dr. Grey's stewardship, Encinitas Union has developed a district-wide Framework for the Future, meticulously crafted to mirror the community's core priorities. This framework has been shaped through a highly collaborative process, ensuring educators, parents, students, and community voices significantly influence the educational direction.

Moreover, Dr. Grey's innovative leadership extends into a collaborative research partnership with UC San Diego, focused on understanding and enhancing educator flourishing. This partnership underscores her commitment to educational excellence and the well-being of the educators within her district. Her efforts showcase a profound dedication to fostering educational environments that are academically rigorous and nurturing and responsive to the ecological values of the community, making her story an essential narrative in our discussions on transformative education.

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