Learner-Centered Collaborative

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, one of every five new teachers (less than three years of experience) left their role after the 2021-22 academic year. Do we want to accept 20% turnover as the norm? What can we do to transform the professional development experience to not only keep new hires on board but get them excited about achievable career growth opportunities along their path? Devin Vodicka shares a story from his own experience as a Curriculum Director, from personal failure to collective success, that had educators leaning in and committed to the district's long term vision and mission. Grab your coffee and get inspired this Sunday >> https://hubs.ly/Q02TbY7Z0

Deep, focused, energized work was the theme throughout our partnerships this week. Let's dive in: We kicked off our Discovery Visit at Rock Springs in Escondido Union School District with a fantastic bilingual family forum and two student focus groups! We are surfacing bright spots and hopes/dreams of the community to integrate in the school design journey. We had a great day with the Encinitas Union School District Leadership cohort focused on how we as leaders can create the conditions to accelerate progress toward the Framework for the Future. We have a particular focus this school year on competency-based practices. We welcomed Adelanto Elementary School District to our partnership network! Throughout the year, we will be focused on three core work streams: Framework for the Future development, facilitated School Visits, and developing a Blueprint for Success. Let's get to work! Santa Ana Unified School District secondary and elementary principals convened for the second leadership academy of the year to forge stronger relationships and build relational trust through dialogical interviews, strengthen their understanding of the Framework for the Future through developing their "Story of Us," and leaned into using AI. On the virtual side, we had an exciting and productive day with the Santa Ana Virtual Academy Team! We kicked off the first of three design sessions for the SAVA redesign workflow. The team unpacked valuable insights from student forums, parent focus groups, and staff listening sessions. We also made great progress on refreshing the mission and vision, and more deeply understanding the SAUSD Framework for the Future. Thank you to all of our partners who are centering learners by design!

ICYMI: Check out our latest podcast episode with Gregg Behr! Tune in here: https://hubs.ly/Q02S_v250

Have you booked your flight to New Orleans? The Aurora Institute Symposium is just around the corner (Nov 2-5) and we can't wait to host 50+ learner-centered educators at our Pre-Conference Workshop on November 2nd. Together, we'll be tackling all things Competency-Based Assessment, Grading, and Reporting. Let us know if we'll see you there :) https://hubs.ly/Q02T05wY0

Last week, we held our 2024-25 Connections fall gathering. Katie Martin shares highlights from our two days together and the joy of seeing 60 learner-centered leaders connect, learn, and grow.

We are so excited to contribute to Getting Smart's Horizon Three Learning Series! Horizons Three is a vision for learning where future-ready ecosystems are grounded in equity serving learners’ individual strengths and needs as well as the common good. In their featured article, Katie Martin and Devin Vodicka share examples already cropping up across the country where school and district systems are centering learners by design. Get inspired by transformational ideas from Lamont Elementary School District (Microschools), Logan County Schools (Ranger Academy), Laguna Beach Unified School District (Authentic Exploratory Research), and Forney Independent School District (Opportunity Center). Dive in here: https://hubs.ly/Q02SMbWx0

Between 25% and 54% of students feel disengaged in school, with less than half feeling positively challenged or aligned with their strengths (Hrynowski, 2024). These statistics highlight the urgency of adopting a more personalized approach—one that fosters learner agency, amplifies student voice, and tailors learning experiences to each student’s strengths and passions. Zoë Randall, through her own teaching experience, shares how "seeing, knowing, and growing" learners can transform the learning experiences of everyone involved—including the adults! Get inspired here: https://hubs.ly/Q02SL6F30

Communities of Practice (CoPs) intentionally designed to align with learner-centered principles allow adults to experience the same learning outcomes they hope to achieve with their young students. ✅ CoPs that allow educators to focus on their specific needs and interests make the learning journey PERSONALIZED. ✅ CoPs that address real classroom challenges in real time make the learning AUTHENTIC. ✅ CoPs that support ongoing skill development and proficiency make the learning COMPETENCY-BASED. ✅ CoPs that bring together diverse perspectives and experiences make the learning INCLUSIVE. ✅ CoPs that provide equal opportunities for all members to contribute and learn make the learning EQUITABLE. Learn more about how to bring Communities of Practice to your learning environment here: https://hubs.ly/Q02SwdZM0

Nerel Winter and Jeff Petty were dropping gems in our most recent webinar on the power of competency-based assessment: "We have to rethink education about being about academics solely and rather about relationship networks and really redesigning school to be around each one of our students and knowing them well and being able to create school around who they want to be." "If you're undertaking this work [of shifting to a learner-centered system], find other people people who are doing it to remind you that it's possible." Watch the full recording here: https://hubs.ly/Q02Sldqs0

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group with a common interest and a commitment to learning and improving together over time. The strength of CoPs lies in their organic nature—members choose to participate because they share a genuine interest in improving their practice. They are a safe space to celebrate wins and failures, with the group collectively learning from any attempts that didn’t go as intended. CoPs model a learner-centered approach, creating meaningful collaboration and equity of voice through protocols and dedicated time for reflection and sharing about the learning. These communities are built on trust, shared values, and the understanding that the collective wisdom of the group will lead to more meaningful, scalable change. Learn more about CoPs and the impact they could have in your school or district: https://hubs.ly/Q02Shs270