Schools Worth Visiting
The Getting Smart team visits hundreds of schools each year and is grateful for the opportunity to see high-quality teaching and learning in action. This series features stories of schools that share best practices, lessons learned and next-gen teaching practices that support high-quality, personalized, project-based learning for all students.
Competency-Based Education
The Vision of Performance-Based Education at District 51
During my visit to District 51 in Colorado to observe its shift to competency-based education, I learned more about how leadership is shaping the overall vision to create a culture that includes growth mindset and social & emotional learning.
Equity & Access
10 Strategies Promoting Digital Access and Equity
Tremendous progress has been made in K-12 education over the last 20 years, but challenges remain in developing new personalized learning models. Here are 10 strategies that promote excellence and equity in K-12 schools in the digital learning age.
Personalized Learning
It’s Time to Personalize Learning in Alaska
By: Dr. Karen Gaborik. Alaska's Fairbanks North Star Borough School District's superintendent shares how the district began its shift to a student-centered system, how the community is involved and what next steps are for them all.
Competency-Based Education
Building Community Consensus for District Change
I visited Mesa County Valley School District 51 in Colorado for a week to observe its shift to competency-based education. Here are highlights on how leadership is building consensus and shaping community engagement for input on changes.
Leadership
18 Tips for Making Blended Learning More Student-Centered
Here are 18 tips from leading schools and providers boosting motivation, engagement, agency and collaboration by adding student-centered learning strategies to their blended learning plan.
Schools Worth Visiting
Enhancing a CTE Program to Boost Student Readiness
By: Tammy Hyatt. Working and learning go hand in hand when a student is on the path to mastering a specific skill set or subject material, and for students in Career and Technical Education programs, this couldn’t be truer.
Personalized Learning
Our School’s Evolution to 21st-Century Teaching and Learning
By: Rylee Woodall. At Orangewood Christian School we decided to implement our own connected classroom program. Here are our lessons learned and best practice recommendations for ensuring students are engaged and protected while learning online.
Schools Worth Visiting
Iteration in Action: Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design
By: Springpoint Schools. The Denver School of Innovation and Sustainable Design is utilizing a student-centered approach to school culture that is helping to keep students engaged. Read more here!
Schools Worth Visiting
Language Learning Engages Houston Students
I recently had the chance to visit Herrera Elementary School and Mandarin Immersion Magnet School in the Houston Independent School District. Here, I share a brief outline of what I saw along with a number of photos.
Schools Worth Visiting
Kepner Keeps True to the Innovation Model
Kepner Beacon Middle School is in its inaugural year, but it has already developed an impressive program. Here, I share some photos that outline what I saw in my recent visit to the school.