Nellie Mae Education Foundation November 18, 2010 
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A Step in the Right Direction
By Nicholas C. Donohue, President and CEO, NMEF 

This year, the Foundation took a vital step forward. In an effort to prepare all learners with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed,we shifted our strategic focus to promote the integration of student-centered learning approaches at the middle and high school levels across New England.

The Foundation is focusing its efforts in three important areas: working with grantees to develop and enhance effective student-centered learning models; reshaping policies that define schooling; and promoting increased public demand for high quality educational experiences.

We appreciate your continued support as we work to close the opportunity gaps that exist among different populations and increase the performance of all students in order to improve our collective prospects for the future. 

 All of us at NMEF wish you a wonderful holiday season!
Main Feature: When Failure is Not an Option

SCLThe ability of the United States to meet the future challenges of a globally competitive society depends on having a well-educated and skilled population prepared to enter the workforce. Along with the basics, all students need to learn a broad array of skills and knowledge to enable them to achieve success in a complex world.  

In the new NMEF Funded report, When Failure Is Not an Option: Designing Competency-Based Pathways for Next Generation Learning, Chris Sturgis and Susan Patrick explore current competency-based innovations at school, district, and state levels that offer insight into new approaches to the education system. 
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Assessment for the 21st Century

Newsletter Video 1

 
The Young Women's Leadership Charter School (YWLCS) developed a new method of awarding course credit using competency-based assessments.

Check out the video above and learn more!
Student-Centered Learning in Action

One of the Foundation's principles of student-centered learning states that progress should primarily be based on the acquisition of competencies, rather than a student's age, hours on a task, or credits. 
Here are a few examples of schools putting this principle into action: 
  • The Chugach School District, located  in Anchorage, AK, engaged the community to establish a performance-based approach to assessment.
  • The Adams County School District 50, located in Westminster, CO, introduced a standards-based education system that moves away from the traditional grade level structure.
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