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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State Policies Give Local Student-Centered Flexibility
A policy scan found many states have reduced barriers, opening possibilities for student-centered learning. At least 31 states allow innovation schools or zones with reduced instructional time and attendance requirements; 18 have personalized, competency-based pilot programs; and 13 have policies allowing alternative instructional time models.
Individualized Professional Development Sparks Change
Upstream Collaborative is a network of alternative schools in CA and WA working with Big Picture Learning on shifting to a personalized, interest-based approach. In a 2020 qualitative study, all coaches reported listening was key to offer unique advice and build relationships and modeling through individualized PD increased the pace of change.
Personalized Learning Grows Self-awareness
A small study found personalized learning promoted self-awareness in middle school students, a key social-emotional learning skill. Learner preference was the most frequently mentioned type of self-awareness in the qualitative data. Students became more aware of topics they were interested in, how they liked to learn and what motivated them.
Project-based Learning Builds Creativity and Entrepreneurship Competency
A qualitative study of a maker program in Hong Kong focused on real-world problem solving found the school's approach led to increases in 4 dimensions of creativity (novelty, utility, aesthetics and authenticity) and 3 areas of entrepreneurship (ideas and opportunities, resources and action).
Self-efficacy Impacts Performance
In a study of 400 German high school students, learners’ expectations of self-efficacy (belief in their ability to succeed), positively predicted their drawing quality and performance in solving real-world geometry problems.
Personalized Math Program Builds Skills
In a randomized control study of a supplemental mastery-based personalized math learning program, kindergarten students from 20 California classrooms, in which 100% of students qualified for free and reduced lunch, outperformed the control group on the Test of Early Mathematics Ability by 5.71 percentage points after using the program for 5 hours.
Personalized Learning Boosts Scores on State Tests
A 4-year longitudinal study of a pre-K - 8 California school implementing a strengths-based blended personalized learning model showed a significant positive impact on all Math, Reading and Language Use on NWEA MAP tests. On average, treatment students outperformed the control group by about 1.22 - 1.96 points on the MAP scale.
State Policy in Key Areas Supports Student-centered Reform
An analysis of student-centered state policy from Education Commission of the States and KnowledgeWorks found 2022 trends included assessments of mastery, funding, learning pathways, equity, flexibility and innovation, and other bills of interest.
New State Policies Support Innovation
A state policy review showed 20 bills that support flexibilities for local districts or schools to implement competency-based education and other innovations were passed across 15 states as of May 2023.
Graduation Pathway Policies Spark State-wide Personalized Learning
An analysis of states implementing personalized learning (PL), showed policies around graduation pathways were a catalysts to PL efforts in 3 of the 4 states studied, as they allowed more flexibility in meeting state graduation requirements.
Under-credited Youth in Boston Graduate with Personalized Approach
Students at Boston Day and Evening Academy (BDEA) – a personalized, competency-based school for over-age and under-credited youth – enter at an average age of 17.6 with 5 or fewer high school credits. Despite previous setbacks, students who attend BDEA at least half of the time, finish an average of 5 courses per year and graduate in 2.9 years.
CT School Increases Latinx Student Enrollment in AP Through Personalized Supports
Maloney High School saw the number of Latinx students enrolled in advanced courses rise from 50% in 2015-16 to 82.5% in 2020-21. To make this shift, they employed student-centered approaches – including student interest surveys, personalized course recommendations, more communication with families and academic supports like AP study sessions.
Our Vision
A future of learning where students of all races and ethnicities, incomes and identities pursue the kinds of learning experiences that enable them to uncover their passions and thrive in an evolving world.