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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North Dakota Leads Shift to Digital Transcripts
This brief notes trends in state policies moving towards digital high school transcripts which can better capture competency-based learning. North Dakota is the first state to commit to launch a next generation digital credential using a digital wallet for learners.
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.
Research Partnerships Finds Trust Biggest Lever for Change
Through a research practice partnership, the Arcadia Unified School District in California found trust and relationship-building were the biggest levers for systems change. Improving students’ trust in educators led to a 15% increase in student perception of all other aspects of the school experience, such as belonging and voice and choice.
California Schools Build Systems Change Through Trust
After identifying trust as a key lever for systems change, diverse stakeholders at Arcadia Unified School District worked to build it by creating a shared vision and co-designing solutions. On surveys, administrators reported trust in each other, teachers and parents all increased a statistically significant amount from 2019 to 2020.
St. Louis Students Gain Two Years Growth
In one year, the founding class at the Kairos Academies, a small network of St. Louis public charter schools supporting personalized learning and student agency, showed approximately 200% growth on the NWEA Map tests in reading, language and math.
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.
Learning Culture Results in High Growth in Rural North Carolina Elementary
In 2021-2022, students at Lucama Elementary, a rural school in North Carolina leveraging master teachers to build a culture of learning, outperformed peers on all state tests. Notably 81.6% scored proficient in math, compared to 46.9% at the district-level and 49.8% at the state-level. The school’s performance grade on their state report card ros
Student-Centered SEL Assessment Supports Skill Development
In a qualitative study in California, when social-emotional learning (SEL) assessment was formative and authentically embedded in classroom learning activities, both students and teachers reported the assessment measures were accurate and valuable tools to build deeper learning, self-awareness and positive relationships.
SEL Assessments Rated More Valuable When Done with Peers
A qualitative study piloting social-emotional learning (SEL) assessments in six California schools found when SEL reflections had an authentic purpose and were completed with a peer, students were more likely to report the measure was authentic and meaningful, compared to reflections completed alone.
Student-Centered Elements Boost Learning Value of Assessments
Focus group and interview data from a study piloting social-emotional learning (SEL) measures in six California schools found when SEL assessment is designed in a way that empowers student voice and choice in evidence of learning or demonstration of learning, they are more likely to report the measures are meaningful and useful.
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.
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