And from the neo-liberals to end the week…

Making the Case: Compelling Data Explore KnowledgeWorks’ growing library that features data points describing the impacts and outcomes of student-centered and competency-based teaching and learning. Three Ways Franklin is Doing High School Differently Franklin High School is moving “from Portrait to Practice” and doing high school differently with three systems-level changes. No, Students Don’t Need Grades Author Mark Barnes talks about why teachers should put the focus on learning, not letter grades. At This School in Providence, the Community is the Campus “Normal school shelters you from being able to find out who you are. There’s so much anxiety in schools with kids learning useless information, and pumping out people who don’t know who they are,” notes Nabou, a student at the Metropolitan Regional Career and Technical Center.

Aurora Center for Policy

Have You Explored the Work-Based Learning Series Related to the Aurora Institute Report, Expanding Student Access to Work-Based Learning: Federal Policy Recommendations? The Power of Work-Based Learning in Competency-Based Education Competency-based education creates a blueprint with space to incorporate other innovative approaches like work-based learning. Work-based learning promotes key elements of CBE such as student agency and active learning that can happen beyond the school building. Best Practices for High-Quality Work-Based Learning Learn about evidence-based best practices for designing effective and equitable work-based learning experiences. The X3 Internship Program Models a Vision for Work-Based Learning Learn about the X3 internship program, an example of work-based learning for high school students in New Mexico. Increasing Access to Work-Based Learning: Federal Policy Recommendations The examples in this post spotlight innovative work-based learning efforts by states and intermediary organizations that can inform federal policy directions and opportunities to expand federal investment in work-based learning.

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Advancing DEI

Promising Practices to Advance DEI Among Non-Profit Boards To support our DEI goals and provide structure around organizational learning, we received a three-year grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). The grant included an explicit focus on engaging the Aurora Board of Directors in DEI work to advance the organization. This case study describes Aurora’s Board of Directors’ evolution and growth with respect to DEI, from November 2020 through July 2023.

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CompetencyWorks

Equitable Grading Anchors NYC’s New Grading Policy Toolkit New York City Public Schools signaled important learner-centered shifts in grading practices with its Grading Policy Toolkit: Grading for Equity, Accuracy, and Social-Emotional Well-being. This post explores the toolkit more in depth as a model of how districts large and small can support the alignment of practice to their visions for equitable learning with practical policy guidance.

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Field Spotlight

Street Data Pod – “Weaving a Sense of Belonging” with Native American Community Academy and NISN Leaders Stacey Coonis and Valerie Siow Leaders Stacey Coonsis, Elementary Head of School for the Native American Community Academy in Albuquerque, and Valerie Kie, Senior Director of Education and Transformation, NACA Inspired Schools Network share their stories, identities, and deepest hopes for the schools they lead. Learn what it looks like for Indigenous children to learn in community, alongside adults and elders.

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About the Aurora Institute ​​The Aurora Institute’s mission is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all. Aurora is shaping the future of teaching and learning through its work in policy advocacy, research, field-building, and convening. With a national and global view of education innovation, we work on systems change in K-12 education, promote best practices, examine policy barriers, and make recommendations for change to yield improved outcomes for students. Aurora envisions a world in which all people are empowered to attain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to achieve success, contribute to their communities, and advance society.

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