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 Learning Professional Development Increases Flexibility in Pacing
At schools receiving personalized learning professional development from KnowledgeWorks, 72-80% of educators and students reported moderate or strong evidence of pacing flexibility in a recent survey.
Personalized Learning Boosts Teacher Confidence in Meeting SEL needs
In a 2022 survey of 1,000 teachers, those who reported using all the personalized learning strategies on the survey were much more confident meeting students’ social-emotional needs. Of those reporting high use of personalization 64% felt "high confidence" in their ability, compared to only 39% of the teachers with low implementation.
Using Blended Learning Practices Correlated with Higher Personalization
In a survey of 1,000 teachers post pandemic, those who used blended learning were more likely to implement personalized learning strategies. For example, 56% of surveyed teachers who used blended learning also adopted flexible pacing, while only 32% of those not using blended learning did so.
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.
Parents Want More Flexible Learning Post-Pandemic
In a survey of 6,000 parents about post-pandemic teaching and learning, 40% wanted their children learning at multiple sites, compared to 37% who preferred learning in a traditional classroom exclusively.
Integrated Technology Systems One Factor in Success of Personalized Learning
In a study of student-centered schools, those with higher-performance had technology systems that were better integrated to support learning with an average of 2.60 versus 1.83 functions including record keeping, planning, instruction and assessment.
Post-COVID, Teachers Value Schedule that Supports Deeper Learning
In feedback sessions, middle and high school teachers indicated they wished to continue COVID-related schedule changes in which students took only three courses at a time. They reported this change led to more depth of coverage and reduced workload for both students and teachers.
Virtual Schools Here to Stay
A national survey of school districts in June 2021 indicated that 50% of urban, and 25% of all districts, planned to offer a virtual school option, an increase of nine times pre-pandemic offerings.
Access to Technology in Elementary Grades Triples
A survey of 300 superintendents revealed the number of districts offering one-to-one initiatives in the elementary grades tripled, from 24% pre-pandemic to 71% in summer 2021. Initiatives in grades 6 to 12 rose to 83%.
Schools Foster Increased Agency During COVID
Interviews with students K-12 about virtual and hybrid school experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic revealed an increase in self-directed learning. A stronger sense of autonomy and responsibility was a common theme in the interview analysis.
Number of Districts With 1:1 Computing Device Ratio Doubled in 2020
In an EdWeek end-of-year survey the number of districts reporting at least one device per student rose from 41% before the pandemic to 94% percent in 2020, more than doubling.
Use of Adaptive Learning Software to Personalize Learning Increased Dramatically
An EdWeek end-of-year survey shows the number of districts using adaptive learning software to personalize learning rose from 54% before the pandemic to 85% in 2020.
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