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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Feedback for Growth Builds Deep Learning in Math
In 2022, 100 teachers in Yonkers worked to improve the quality of feedback to students focused on growth, a research-backed strategy to deepen math learning and close performance gaps. Surveys of 3,458 middle schoolers showed in just 4 months, students experienced 10% growth of strong teacher feedback in 2 schools and 6-7% growth in 4 more schools.
Underserved Students in Student-centered CO Network Graduate at Higher Rates
Eighty-five percent of students at New Legacy Charter, a Big Picture Network school in Colorado serving primarily pregnant and parenting teens, graduate; compared with 50% nationally. Students also have taken a college course, internship or certification.
Learning Rate Based on Exposure, Not Ability Level
An analysis of 27 sets of student learning data showed learning rate is based on previous exposure and opportunities, not on ability level. This finding shows the potential to personalize students’ learning experience based on previous background knowledge, thus providing the favorable learning conditions each student needs to be successful.
Feedback for Growth Also Improved Classroom Community and Student Voice
Schools in Yonkers, New York that improved the quality of individualized feedback focused on growth in math also raised perception of supportive teaching, classroom community and student voice in surveys of 3,000+ middle school students in 2022. One site raised community scores 5, student voice 7 and supportive teaching 6 percentage points.
Programs Creating More Equitable Access to Dual Enrollment in CA
An analysis of CA students' dual enrollment in 2020-21 showed more equitable participation across ethnic groups in 9th grade. The disparity between Asian and Black student participation was 14% in 12th grade and only 4% in 9th. This is attributed to more formal opportunities like early college high schools and College and Career Access Pathways.
Students with Disabilities Thrive with Personalization in Atlanta
Tapestry Public Charter School, catering mainly to students with IEPs and/or 504 plans, achieved a 100% graduation rate for students with disabilities in 2020-2021, despite pandemic challenges. In 2018-2019, 90% of such students graduated, compared to 46.4% in the district, and in 2019-20, it was 80% compared to 54.6%.
California Charters Decrease Disparities in Academic Growth
A study of charter schools identified Envision Schools, a network of three CA schools committed to performance assessment, as “busting the gap.” Average student achievement exceeds state averages overall. Black, Hispanic, English language learners and students in poverty show yearly growth the same or stronger than peers at the same school.
Personalized Apprentice Opportunities Build Engagement
Many students, especially those underrepresented in skilled trades, have pursued further learning in interest areas developed through apprenticeships provided by Harbor Freight Fellowship Initiative, a Big Picture Learning partner. In its first three years, 89 of 93 students completed the program and 40 pursued more training in their chosen trade.
Differentiated Learning at California Microschool Boosts Growth
Students at UP Academy, a K-8 private microschool in California offering differentiated learning, interdisciplinary project-based learning and collaboration in multi-age classrooms with full inclusion, showed more than double the growth in reading and math scores over a four-month period, compared to national averages on the NWEA 2021 tests.
Whole-Child Approach Builds Social-Emotional Learning Skills
In NYC, DREAM Charter Schools' whole-child approach of balancing social emotional development, athletics/wellness, and rigorous academics results in two-thirds of K-12 students increasing social-emotional competencies over the course of one school year.
Summer Sports and Academics Lead to Big Gains
DREAM Charter Schools, a small network of schools in NYC balancing social emotional development, athletics/wellness and rigorous academics during a year-long program, has seen reading proficiency increase an average of 20 percentage points and math 10 percentage points during their summer program.
Personalized Charters Get Results in St. Louis
In only its 4th year of operation, Kairos, a small network of St. Louis public charter schools supporting personalized learning and student agency, was the fourth highest performing local education agency in St. Louis. Of other top performers, it was the only one serving more that 50% students receiving free and reduced lunch.
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