21st century skills

Group of educators at the International Micro School Conference, posing with a welcome sign for Microschools.com

Equity & Access

Microschools with a World Vision: Insights from the First International Micro School Conference

Guest Author

May 7, 2024

A recent conference spotlit microschools and new school models from around the world - here are a few of the key moments and takeaways.

Protest crowd holding cardboard sign reading "Fight Today For A Better Tomorrow" at a community rally.

Difference Making

The Power Of Peace Project: Healing Wounded Communities

Antonio Boyd

Apr 25, 2024

The Power of Peace Project is an effective method of working with incarcerated communities to create and locate mentors and leaders.

Students working independently on laptops at shared studio desks surrounded by design project boards on a cork wall.

Equity & Access

How to Design a School for Belonging

Guest Author

Apr 18, 2024

Architect Danish Kurani reflects on architecture and design projects that have given learners agency and a sense of belonging.

Tenth-grade boy in safety goggles assembles an orange 3D-printed prosthetic hand in a school maker lab.

New Pathways

Career Development Stage Left: RIASEC as Career Exploration

Guest Author

Mar 18, 2024

Ed Hidalgo shares how he uses RIASEC to help students navigate possible career opportunities and interests.

Two teachers engaging students in small-group discussion around tables in a modern, flexible classroom setting.

Learner-Centered

Where Does Work to Imagine a Learner-Centered Ecosystem Begin?

Guest Author

Feb 20, 2024

While learner-centered ecosystems can begin in a variety of ways, establishing key people, practices, connections, or conditions to build upon is one approach to developing a strong foundation.

Learning Design

Ten Innovative Educational Programs Awarded Grants to Transform Learning

Maureen O’Shaughnessy

Dec 6, 2023

Getting Smart Collective is thrilled to announce the ten dynamic microschools that have been selected as the recipients of our Big Push For Small Schools grant opportunity.

Students collaborate at a whiteboard sketching a project called "rAItown" in a modern learning space.

Difference Making

Why Entrepreneurship Might Save Our Kids—and the Rest of Us.

Guest Author

Nov 13, 2023

To be human is to be entrepreneurial, and this innate entrepreneurialism should begin to be nurtured at the same time kids are learning to read and tie their shoes.

A student navigates a complex landscape of credentials and badges.

New Pathways

The Global Credentialing Landscape: Messy, Massive and Meaningful

Guest Author

Oct 24, 2023

The international credentialing landscape is more complicated than ever and is a huge opportunity for certified, transferable innovation.

Overhead view of diverse students gathered around a round table, reading and collaborating together

Early Learning

The Future of Elementary Education: Literacy Launchpads that Ensure Literacy for All

Katie Martin, Devin Vodicka

Oct 19, 2023

Katie Martin and Devin Vodicka propose that microschools could be a more effective way to teach literacy than traditional grade-level classrooms.

Students and instructor collaborating in a bright, open art studio with drawings displayed on walls and easels

Learner-Centered

The School as a Whole Community Resource

Guest Author

Oct 16, 2023

Schools can serve as dynamic centers of community engagement by sharing resources, involving guest professionals, and fostering mentorship, benefiting both students and the community.

	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

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21st century skills