Making the Case: Compelling Data
This growing library features data points describing the impacts and outcomes of student-centered and competency-based teaching and learning. The data are sourced from research studies, evaluation reports and journal articles, as well as evidence collected directly by classroom, school, district and state leaders.
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Personalized Alternative Program Drives Graduation Gains in MA District
Holyoke Public Schools reduced dropouts and increased graduation from 62% in 2015 to 72% in 2019, with larger jumps for English Language Learners, students with disabilities and Latinx students. Gains were driven by a successful alternative program offering a variety of personalized programs including mastery and project-based learning options.
Most DC Black Female Students Passing AP from One Student-centered Tech School
A study of a middle school project-based science curriculum showed on average students performed higher than a matched comparison group on state math assessments by 12 percentage points in Year 2 and 18 percentage points in Year 3 and on the ELA assessment by 8 percentage points in Year 2 and 10 in Year 3.
Student-Centered Approach in DC Serves Students Underrepresented in the Sciences
90% of the Black students who passed the 2019 Advanced Placement computer science exam in the entire city of Washington DC attended Washington Leadership Academy, a school using student-centered practices to support students traditionally underrepresented in the sciences (20 out of 22 students).
Project-based Learning Supports Traditionally Underserved Students at IN STEM School
Black, Latino and low-income students at Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, a IN network committed to individualized project-based learning to increase students attending college in STEM fields, were more likely to pass state exams than their peers in the district. All these groups had passing rates 4 times others in Indianapolis Public Schools.
Project-based School in IN Outperforms District
Students at Purdue Polytechnic High Schools, a network in Indianapolis committed to individualized project-based learning to increase students attending college in STEM fields, performed better on state assessments than other district students. In 2021, 11th graders were four times as likely to pass both the math and ELA sections (34% vs. 8%).
Community Connections Bring High Graduation Rates in TN School
In 2022, Elizabethton High, a school in rural TN transforming through project-based learning and community-connections, had a 93% graduation rate, 10% higher than other high schools in their county. This included students from low-income families and students with disabilities.
12% Rise in Postsecondary Enrollment After Personalized, Competency-based Learning Implemented
Following full-scale implementation of a proficiency-based system in 2011, a Maine high school's postsecondary enrollment increased to 71% by 2018, up from an average rate of 59% over the 10 years prior to the district’s shift to personalized, competency-based learning.
Innovative Schools Hold Steady on Traditional Outcome Measures
A report analyzing 251 innovative schools’ approach to documentation of impact found that in states where comparison was possible, no negative effect on traditional measures such as state test performance. It also documented the high value these schools place on outcomes that are difficult to measure like deeper learning and sense of belonging.
NC Students from Early College High School Earn More Associate Degrees
An experimental study analyzing data from 4,000 North Carolina students showed those randomly selected to attend early college high schools were three times more likely to earn an associate degree than those who did not attend (32.8% versus 11%). Higher numbers earning associate degrees did not decrease bachelor's degree attainment.
Early College High Schools Lead to Higher Postsecondary Attainment
A 14-year, experimental study found North Carolina students who attended early college high schools were more likely to have earned some kind of postsecondary credential after six years than those not in early college. 44.3% earned degrees, compared to 33.0% of the control group.
Early College High Schools Benefit Economically Disadvantaged Students
An experimental study in North Carolina found the impact of attending an early college high school was higher for economically disadvantaged students. While all students who attended early college high schools were 3.9 percentage points more likely to have obtained a bachelor's degree, economically disadvantaged students were 4.5 percentage points
California Personalized Learning Charters Thrive in Pandemic
A CA public charter network focused on personalized learning pivoted quickly, supporting student growth through the pandemic. The number of network students meeting state standards increased from 47% in 2018-19 to 49% in 2021-22 in ELA and from 29% to 31% in math. Meanwhile, district students meeting standards decreased 4% in ELA and 6% in math.
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