And from the neo-liberals…

Colleges Are Ditching the SAT, the High School Transcript Should Be Next Next generation credentials are a competency-based alternative to transcripts that allow colleges to make better admissions decisions. CCSD’s Newest School Celebrates Opening With a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony The Clark County School District in Nevada held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its first school implementing a competency-based learning model. Becoming An Independent Learner: A Conversation With Charli Chief Program Officer of the Learner Accelerator, Ryan Mick interviews a high school student at the Assessment for Learning Project conference in Tucson. Students as Stakeholders and Co-Designers In many ways, students are seen as primary stakeholders in Vista Unified School District’s work to transform learning for equity and lifelong success.

Aurora Center for Policy

Just Released: Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative Evaluation Report Washington’s Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative is a 24-school initiative to help the state learn how to support and expand high-quality MBL and culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE). Aurora’s Evaluation Report for the MBLC’s second year is now available on the WA State Board of Education website. Learn about: The network’s professional learning activities and resources How schools and the state are facilitating change Washington’s policies that support mastery-based learning Initial findings on MBL and CRSE attitudes and implementation How the evaluation will measure school changes over time

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Connecting & Convening

Don’t Miss the Chance to Learn About Transcend’s Innovative Models Exchange at the Aurora Institute Symposium 2023 Transcend is excited to share its new platform, the Innovative Models Exchange, at the Aurora Institute Symposium 2023! Despite innovation across nearly every sector of society, a one-size-fits-all approach has governed mainstream schooling in America for more than a century. The Innovative Models Exchange is designed for communities inspired to innovate but who don’t want to reinvent the wheel—it helps them learn and borrow from amazing experiences created by communities across the country. Join Transcend in Palm Springs by registering today.

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Next Generation Credentials: Rethinking the High School Diploma Webinar Recording Watch this interactive overview of innovative alternatives to the traditional high school transcript, along with state policy recommendations on designing next generation credentials as outlined in our publication, Going Beyond the Traditional: Next Gen Credentials and Flexible Learning Pathways.

CompetencyWorks

Portrait of a Graduate: A Gateway to Competency-Based Learning In this CompetencyWorks blog post, Aurora Institute interns Brianna Medina and Khamiah Alderman review the Next Generation Learning Challenge (NGLC)’s new resource, How Students Develop the Skills & Competencies in a Portrait of a Graduate. The resource highlights five school districts and their answer to the question: “How might we redesign teaching and learning to ensure all students have high-quality learning experiences that help them continuously develop the competencies in our Portrait of a Graduate?”

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Field Spotlight

You’re Invited to Visit Some of the Premiere Big Picture Learning Network Schools Across the Country Join Big Picture for their two-day Guided Big Picture Learning Experiences – site visits across the country where attendees have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture of what it means to be a seasoned BPL school through real-time interactive experiences with leaders, advisors, national BPL staff and – most importantly – students!

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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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