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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Most Students Feel Little Control Over Their Learning
A broad array of learning communities surveyed over 20,000 students about their experiences and found most do not feel they have control over their education. Only 29% reported feeling they have a say in what happens to them at school and only 31% said they can choose how they do their work.
Educators Feel Engagement Best Indicator of Success
A 2022 national survey of changing educator and parent views showed 94% of educators think student engagement is the most important metric of student success, following a similar trend of 92% for the 2021 survey.
Student Do Not Feel Represented in School Decision-Making
In a nationally representative sample of 1,000 8-12th grade students surveyed after the 2021-22 school year, only 28% felt student opinions are represented “a great deal” in major decisions and policy considerations at their school, with numbers much lower for district, state and federal decisions.
Teachers Report Student Choice Boosts Engagement
In a national survey of 8,000 educators, 70% said students were both more engaged and retained information better during learning activities when the students chose the activities themselves based on interests.
Students Want Self-Directed Learning Post-Pandemic
In a nationally representative sample of 1,000 8-12th grade students surveyed after the 2021-22 school year, 53% want self-paced student learning to continue after the pandemic.
Students Have Higher Attendance When Student Voice Valued
An analysis of surveys from 12,000 Chicago ninth graders showed students who reported their school leaders and teachers were responsive to student voice had higher attendance rates. Students at schools ranked the most responsive missed 6.1% of school days compared to 7% at the least responsive.
Responsiveness to Student Voice Leads to Higher GPAs
Survey data for 12,000 Chicago ninth graders was analyzed to rank schools on teachers’ and leaders’ responsiveness to student concerns. In schools ranked in the top 10 percent for responsiveness, students had higher GPAs: an average of 2.85 compared to 2.65 in schools with the lowest rankings.
Small Changes Honor Student Voices Post-Covid in Connecticut
By soliciting student input and following through on changes, even small ones, a Connecticut school is making student voice an integral part of their culture post-COVID. A survey of one ELA class showed that after the changes, 90% of students felt their voices were valued.
Personalized Learning Bolsters Academic Confidence
In a qualitative study of a new personalized learning charter school, teachers and students reported on the importance of building a culture of engagement and positive relationships to foster academic confidence.
Student Choice Increases Engagement and Ownership
During interviews at a new personalized learning charter school, both teachers and students noted that student choice led to increased engagement and ownership over learning.
More Autonomy Increases Elementary Reading Scores in TN
After implementing personalized learning days and increasing student ownership, a fifth grade class in Tennessee saw reading gains along with personal growth. Students reading below grade level fell from 84% to 25% over the course of the year.
Social-Emotional Factors Play a Role in Student Engagement
The top five factors influencing student engagement all focus on the whole child. Creativity and self-expression was ranked highest, with 85% indicating a positive impact on engagement. Whole child factors ranked higher than factors like academic growth.
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