Posts by Nate McClennen

The Future of Tech and Work

Rethinking SAMR in the Age of AI: Why the Model Needs a Second Axis

Vriti Saraf, Nate McClennen, Katie Martin

Jan 15, 2026

The SAMR model needs a second axis to account for AI’s diverse impacts on learning, emphasizing both positive and negative outcomes.

Difference Making

The Power of Participation: Why Public Leadership and Civic Readiness is a Solution to our Schools’ Engagement Problem

Tom Vander Ark, Nate McClennen, Fernande Raine

Dec 4, 2025

Discover how the power of participation reshapes education, turning students into active co-creators of their learning experiences.

EdTech

So you can “Finish School” in 2 Hours a Day, Then What?

Mason Pashia, Nate McClennen

Nov 20, 2025

"AI in education: Alpha School’s 2-hour mastery-based model and experiential learning redefine student outcomes and the future of learning."

Strategic Direction workshop at Michigan ISD-Saginaw summit.

Leadership

How Can We Build Strategic Learning Organizations? The Power of ‘When’

Nate McClennen, Rebecca Midles

Nov 6, 2025

Learn how to become a strategic learning organization and align your educational initiatives for better outcomes.

Ed Policy

Leading With Learning: A Webinar Series Full of Guidance for District Leaders

Nate McClennen

May 23, 2025

A webinar series by C!E and Getting Smart equips district leaders with strategies to navigate political challenges and foster inclusive community visioning.

Leadership

What is the Evolving Role of Future Educators?

Rebecca Midles, Nate McClennen

May 5, 2025

Explore the new educator responsibilities in classrooms that enhance learning through technology and personalized experiences.

Learning Design

How can we reimagine where learning happens? Designing schools as community hubs within a personalized ecosystem

Rebecca Midles, Tom Vander Ark, Nate McClennen

Apr 17, 2025

Exploring schools as community hubs, integrating real-world and digital resources for a personalized learning ecosystem.

Competency-Based Education

The Transcript Trap: Why Our Students Need Credentials, Not Just Grades

Rebecca Midles, Nate McClennen

Apr 9, 2025

Our education system should prioritize credentials over grades to better prepare students for a dynamic workforce.

EdTech

Should Courses Be Broken Up into Learning Experiences? Smaller Grain Size Increases Flexibility and Transparency

Victoria Andrews, Nate McClennen

Mar 24, 2025

Explore how learning experiences, not courses, enhance flexibility, integration, and equity in competency-based education.

Leadership

Building Systems That Serve: The Power of the Getting Smart Innovation Framework

Rebecca Midles, Nate McClennen

Mar 11, 2025

Explore the Getting Smart Innovation Framework for personalized, competency-based education that empowers all students.

	Beginning	Piloting	Implementing
From Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery	BeginningFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Beginning	PilotingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Piloting	ImplementingFrom Fixed Standards to Competency-Based Mastery Implementing
From One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning	BeginningFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom One-Size-Fits-All to Adaptive Learning Implementing
From Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry	BeginningFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Beginning	PilotingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Piloting	ImplementingFrom Prescribed Knowledge to Innovation & Inquiry Implementing
From Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning	BeginningFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Beginning	PilotingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Piloting	ImplementingFrom Subjects as Silos to Transdisciplinary, Real-World Learning Implementing
From Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities	BeginningFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Beginning	PilotingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Piloting	ImplementingFrom Schools as Self-Contained to Schools as Embedded in Communities Implementing
From Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment	BeginningFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Beginning	PilotingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Piloting	ImplementingFrom Standardized Testing to Meaningful Assessment Implementing
From Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets	BeginningFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Beginning	PilotingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Piloting	ImplementingFrom Institutional Ownership of Student Data to Student-Controlled Learning Wallets Implementing

Advocacy

Advisory

Topics

Recent Releases

Posts by Nate McClennen