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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California Students in Career Pathways Earn More Credits
In an evaluation of California schools featuring Linked Learning career pathways, students accumulated 8.9 credits more than peers at traditional California schools. Those with low achievement before entering a linked learning high school earned 15.5 credits more than students at traditional schools.
Career Pathways Boost Post-Secondary Enrollment in California
In an evaluation, students at California Linked Learning career high schools who began with low levels of academic preparation were 5.7 percentage points more likely to enroll in college right after high school and 4.1 percentage points more likely to enroll in a 4- rather than a 2-year college, compared to peers at traditional schools.
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.
ND Personalized, Competency-based Schools Prepare Students for College and Career
A five-year evaluation showed 12th graders in the North Dakota Personalized, Competency-Based Learning Initiative were as prepared or more so for college and career as students from matched comparison traditional schools. In 2022-23 personalized schools reported same or higher rates for state-defined military, workforce and post-secondary readiness
Internships Boost Students’ Confidence in Meta-Cognitive Skills
In interviews at three student-centered schools, 10 of 17 students reported growth in meta-cognitive skills like time management and self-regulation, needed for college and career-readiness.
Student-centered Instruction Builds Feelings of College Readiness
Students at three student-centered, career-focused schools reported development of personal and social skills needed for career and college-readiness. Of 17 students interviewed, 15 (88%) noted instructional practices like advisory, autobiography writing and presentations fostered the self-awareness, confidence and communication needed for college.
Internships Boost Students’ Confidence in Interpersonal Skills
In interviews at three student-centered schools, 14 of 17 students reported growth in interpersonal skills like communication and social networking, needed for college and career-readiness.
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.
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).
Community Connections in Oakland Prepare Students for Future
Students at Latitude High prepare for careers through real-world projects, career exploration and Extended Learning Opportunities in the Oakland Community. Despite disruptions from COVID, 44% completed outside internships in 2022. And 92% reported feeling prepared for the future on a XQ Institute survey of seniors.
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%).
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