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.
7 Ways Microschools Help Communities Innovate
What if you could start a school in six weeks instead of six years? What if you could launch a school for $50,000 rather than $50 million? What if you could test an innovation with 20 kids rather than 2,000? Microschools are popping up around the country. It may not…
Is the “Place” in Place-Based Learning Enough?
Place-based learning should be a comprehensive framework and process with clear learning outcomes and curriculum goals to ensure a meaningful experience and support student growth outside the walls of the classroom.
Good Governance: The Foundation for Good Schools
Good schools, start with good boards. A look at the importance and impact of a strong, committed school board when it comes to charter school success and growth.
Educators, Civic Leaders, Businesses and More Unite For Student AI Showcase
On January 22nd, the Montour School District opened its doors for a special “Artificial Intelligence (AI) Grand Showcase” event to showcase the first AI middle school program in America. In this post Justin Aglio, Director of Academic Achievement and District Innovation at Montour School District, provides a recap.
Teaching AI: Exploring New Frontiers for Learning
Inspired by the growing popularity of AI in pop culture and media, as well as more adaptive learning programs being released, Michelle Zimmerman realized change was coming for both what and how young people should learn and set out to write "Teaching AI: Exploring New Frontiers for Learning".
Four Keys to Success at the Most Innovative Schools in the World
Recent visits to renowned centers of innovation had David Ross pondering what it means to wear the label "one of the most innovative schools in the world." Here's what he learned made these institutions innovative.
70 Elementary & Middle Schools Worth Visiting
We believe school visits are the best form of professional learning. Based on a couple thousand school visits, and with help from colleagues and readers, we’ve compiled this list of elementary and middle schools that can give educators a better sense of what’s possible.
El Paso Schools: How the NTN Partnership Accelerated Progress
In 2015-2016, El Paso Independent School District formed a partnership with New Tech Networks. Our latest Case Study shows how this partnership fostered real progress and real results.
Back to School in El Paso: District and New Tech Expand Partnership
On the first day of school we followed El Paso Superintendent Juan Cabrera on school visits, including several of the nine schools that belong to the New Tech Network. Here's our recap.
How School Districts, Cities, and CBOs Use Microschools to Innovate
Tom Vander Ark & Hassan Hassan share a guide to microschools as a source of innovation for school districts, community-based organizations, companies, and civic organizations.