This month, we’re highlighting the power of authentic learning, meaningful school accountability, and family partnerships that help students thrive. From Escondido’s bold school redesign to Hawai’i’s innovative scorecard approach, these stories showcase how schools are creating meaningful, learner-centered experiences.
We’re also sharing strategies to deepen engagement through passion projects and school redesign innovations and in-depth interviews on learner agency and keeping the joy in learning. Start exploring below!
Enjoy! The Learner-Centered Collaborative Team
QUICK HITS
📖 5(ish)-minute reads for those in-between moments
FEATURED ARTICLE: From Kickflips to Critical Thinking: Designing Learning That Sticks (4-minute read)
"The analogy of skateboarding was helpful. More helpful, though, was creating a space for learners to share about the authentic learning experiences they opt into every day. Integrating their personal interests and the activities they engage in outside of school is integral to helping students thrive in the classroom and in their communities." ~Danny Scuderi
From Data to Storytelling: How Scorecards are Transforming School Accountability in Hawai’i (4-minute read)
"An unexpected benefit of the scorecard process was a sense of connectedness and community built during the journey for school leaders. Leaders valued sharing successes, challenges, and new ideas while offering support to one another. One participant noted that “the time to collaborate” was crucial because they could use other leaders as sounding boards who offered insights and feedback." ~Nicolas Mireles
What Going All-In on Learner-Centered Innovation Looks Like (4-minute read)
"The journey of School Redesign at Escondido Union School District is one of human-centered design. As the district implements its vision, mission, values, Portrait of a Learner, and Learning Model, these sites serve as models for a variety of ways to approach learner-centered education."
Family Partnerships: A Key Strategy for Supporting Whole-Learner Outcomes (4-minute read)
"Rather than making assumptions, we must create opportunities for open communication and meaningful dialogue. The goal is not involvement for involvement’s sake, it’s about genuine partnership—an exchange where both educators and families contribute to a shared vision of learner success." ~Devin Vodicka
DEEP DIVES
Long reads, listens, and views for those topics you can't get enough of
FEATURED PODCAST: Reimagining Learning Through Co-Design and Agency (39-minute listen)
"Allie Wong reflects on how attending High Tech High transformed her confidence and identity as a learner, inspiring her to pursue a career in education. She discusses her experiences co-designing projects with students, fostering deep engagement, and empowering learners to take ownership of their education. Her journey led her to leadership roles where she championed teachers, protected their time, and cultivated a strong culture of collaboration and improvement science."
PODCAST: The Power of Joy in Learning with Dr. George Philhower (48-minute listen)
"Dr. George Philhower reflects on his early struggles as a student, how they shaped his passion for education, and his path from special education teacher to superintendent. He discusses how his district prioritizes student engagement, personalized learning, and strong community connections to ensure all students feel valued and prepared for life beyond high school."
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Bringing learner-centered practices to life
FEATURED RESOURCE: Learner-Centered Scorecard Guide (access here)
Our Scorecard Guide introduces a powerful framework for measuring and communicating educational progress beyond traditional metrics. This comprehensive guide provides a 4-step process for creating, implementing, and leveraging Scorecards to drive improvement, engage stakeholders, and showcase your school or district’s unique success story in a learner-centered paradigm.
STRATEGY OF THE MONTH: Passion Projects (access here)
Empowering learners to develop knowledge and skills by exploring their interests is a powerful approach. It can increase student engagement and motivation, it can help students see the relevance and real-world application of what they are learning, and it can provide opportunities for students to develop and showcase their strengths and talents.
Explore how to build learner agency by supporting metacognition, goal-setting, and self-reflection routines by prioritizing the learning process over the final product and emphasizing a growth mindset.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Connecting with learner-centered educators in-person and online
FEATURED EVENT: Learner-Centered Bright Spots: Making Learning Public and Closing the Year Strong (register here)
