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.
Generic vs Coherent Teacher Prep
We’ve inherited sedimentary layers of local, state and federal EdPolicy--not system designed to prepare young people for the idea economy and not an easy system in which to teach. In contrast we know that good schools are coherent--everything is mission-aligned to benefit teachers and students. The benefits of purpose-built coherent teacher preparation hold the potential to extend quality learning for all teachers and students.
11 Key Elements of Learner-Centered STEM
The largest network of STEM schools in the country, Harmony Public Schools, is a pathway to college for youth from low income families--especially if they are interested in careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Here are eleven important elements of the Harmony school model that can inform a shift to Learner-Centered STEM in your school or district.
How Houston Schools Are Making it a Great Global City
Houston is rapidly becoming a great global city. Houston schools are a big part of the success story. So when next month when Superintendent Terry Grier steps down, he should deserve a lot of credit for his contribution to Space City.
Learner-Centered STEM: Meet Harmony Public Schools
What do you get when you mix college prep, personalized blended learning, project-based STEM learning, and a small supportive environment? You get the largest high performing school network you’ve probably never heard of--Harmony Public Schools. Introducing a new series in partnership with Harmony called "Getting Smart on Learner-Centered STEM."
Microschools with Macro Impact
CottageClass is making it possible for you to visit and get an inside look at 12 example microschools. They are hosting the NYC Microschool Tour, on January 27-31. Read the article, get a discount code, be inspired.
How Roots Elementary Intentionally Designs Each Scholar’s Day
Roots Elementary is a new charter school in Denver, CO recently accepted into the New Schools Venture Fund Catapult Cohort of fourteen schools around the country pushing the limits of personalization.
Education for Change: Epic Turn Around in Oakland
Using points, badges and levels to track progress, students at Epic in Oakland embark on their own "Hero's Journey" in an innovative blended middle school with a game-base UI.
Parent Power Fuels Rocketship
Rocketship's Spark Academy in San Jose supports students growth through an innovative rotational model, a learning lab and diverse technology programs in the classroom. The foundation of the school model includes community, parent and teacher involvement in the students individualized learning pathway on a daily basis.
30 Districts Worth Visiting
30 districts that are changing their community trajectory by working on blended, personalized and competency-based learning. Most are making career preparation--including communications, critical thinking, creativity and collaboration--a priority.
Blended Learning in New Orleans
Take a virtual field trip with us, as we dive into what school looks like in New Orleans, 10 years after Hurricane Katrina.