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.
A Maine School District’s Approach To Personalized Learning
When districts are considering personalized learning, it's important for them to reflect on their own vision, culture and transparency. I asked RSU-2 Superintendent Bill Zima to share his insight on these three themes for his district's personalized learning journey.
Your Fans Want You To Be Better, Not Different
From studying the new book Superfandom, EdLeaders can learn three ways to best work with school and district 'fans' in order to shape a successful future.
An Innovative K-8 Human-Centered Approach at Design39
While the Design39 facility renders many speechless, the teaching and learning that take place at “D39” leave visitors feeling inspired and more motivated than ever to create empowering learning experiences for students. Read more in our detailed account here.
Santa Ana Unified Creating Incredible Pathways for Students K-12
When people think of large urban districts, they often think about all the challenges that they face. And it’s true--large urban districts often have to overcome many hurdles. But these challenges are not insurmountable, and Santa Ana Unified proves it.
Increasing Student Access Through Project LEAN In
By: Sam Sakai-Miller. Project LEAN In is San Lorenzo Unified School District's program for implementing a 1:1 student:device ratio in classrooms to increase student engagement and achievement. Here are lessons learned, best practices and unexpected benefits.
SOLE: Hacking Today’s Education for the Future
By: Dr. Jeffrey McClellan and Justin Aglio. Self-Organizing Learning Environments (SOLEs) draw on children’s natural curiosity to create a dynamic education space for students to learn, interact and develop critical problem-solving skills.
New Tech Network Powers A Common Learning Model & Unique Missions
New Tech Network powers a wide range of schools, but just because they share a learning model and platform doesn't mean they're all the same--they are urban and rural, STEM-focused and arts-focused, magnet schools and dropout recovery schools. Learn more here.
Rethinking Middle School with Design Thinking at Vista Innovation & Design Academy
VIDA is a 6-8 Magnet school in the Vista Unified School District that is proving that high-quality teaching & learning centered around design-thinking can happen anywhere if you have collaboration, community and committed leadership. Read more here.
Powering Personalized Learning in Chicago
On a recent school tour trip to Chicago, we visited three schools creating powerful personalized learning environments that serve their unique student population and communities.
What’s The Next Big Idea? Microschool Networks
Microschools have been popping up around the country for the last decade with great success, so let's make it easier to launch these schools by creating supportive networks.