TOOLS & RESOURCES

The Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education recently released the Student-Centered Schools Cross Case Analysis, synthesizing its examination of four schools where traditionally underserved students are achieving above state and district averages; two Envision Schools are part of this study. Click the image below to download the culminating research: a cross-case analysis, a technical report, a research and policy brief, and an interactive online tool for educators.

The Teaching Channel's Deeper Learning Video Series. The 50+ videos in this series showcase 10 Deeper Learning networks that are preparing students for success; collectively, they serve more than 500 schools and 227,000 students. Click the image below to go to the Teaching Channel site.

GOOD READS

A listing of recent writings from Envision Education and other partners and friends:

Educators Can Combat the Deeper Learning Race Problem: Gia Truong, Envision's CEO & Superintendent shares a personal story with professional implications for teachers who want to give all students access to deeper learning.

A Call to Action: Engage & Motivate Students: Bob Lenz, Envision's Founder & Chief of Innovation, describes schools that are meeting the "Engagement Challenge" in American schools.

Watch What's Working: Bob's Edutopia Posts on the TC's Deeper Learning Video Series.

Bob is currently in the middle of a 6-post series delving into the Teaching Channel's Deeper Learning series. Each post expands on one of Envision's videos and offers questions for educators to discuss about putting deeper learning into practice.

The P21 Blogazine: Edited by Jim Bellanca, each week this informative blogazine invites several prominent authors, teachers and school leaders to respond to a driving question about 21st Century Skills and Deeper Learning connections. Read and comment!

July 2014

IN THIS ISSUE

In the Spotlight: Partnering for Impact with the DLSAI

Announcements from ELP: Mahalo!

Learning Corner: A PBL Google Hangout with Justin Wells

Tools & Resources: Great links for educators

Good Reads: Food for thought from around the web

Partnering for Success: Ways to get involved with ELP and Envision Education

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Partnering for Impact:
The Deeper Learning Student Assessment Initiative

(DLSAI)

Background:

The Deeper Learning Student Assessment Initiative (DLSAI) is a partnership between Envision Learning Partners, Asia Society, ConnectEd, New Tech Network, and SCALE. DLSAI partners have worked together to adapt, develop, deepen, and expand the usage of the Deeper Learning Student Assessment System (DLSAS). The DLSAS is based on Envision Education's performance assessment system and includes a set of performance tasks and rubrics that are validated by SCALE and aligned to both the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and Deeper Learning competencies (i.e., master core content, think critically and solve complex problems, work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn how to learn, and develop academic mindsets). The DLSAS includes protocols, processes, written materials, and technology to support teachers and school leaders in the effective implementation of performance assessments.

Impact:

Since 2011, DLSAI partners have scaled the DLSAS to 137,994 students in schools and districts across the nation. In 2013-2014, DLSAI partners collectively reached approximately 194 schools, 2,675 teachers, and an estimated 101,119 students in 26 states (see map below).

Tools & Resources:

DLSAI partners are designing and sharing tools and resources to promote the DLSAS and support the effective implementation of new state standards and next generation assessments by teachers and school leaders in DLSAI networks and beyond.

Videos: What do deeper learning, performance assessment, and Common Core State Standards look like in action? As active members of the Deeper Learning Network, DLSAI partners each produced a set of videos showcasing how each organization has brought the Common Core, performance assessments, and deeper learning to life for students and teachers in their networks. Check out these videos produced by the Teaching Channel through the generous support of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.

Technology Platform Report: DLSAI partners are developing technological solutions to support the DLSAS in their networks. Recognizing the need for better technology tools to support their work, ELP contracted with Getting Smart, to conduct a scan of existing tools for practitioners. This tool -- Assessing Deeper Learning: A Survey of Performance Assessment and Mastery-Tracking Tools -- provides a comprehensive review of performance assessment platforms and mastery tracking tools.

Performance Assessment Quality Rubric: How do you know if your performance assessment is high quality? The Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning, and Equity (SCALE), a key DLSAI partner, created the Performance Assessment Quality Rubric to measure the quality of teacher-created performance assessments. Based on a set of criteria, you will know if your performance assessment has (a) clear and worthwhile outcomes; (b) focus, clarity, and coherence; (c) relevance and authenticity; and (d) choice and decision making; (e) accessibility; (f) curriculum connections; and (g) and opportunities for self-assessment, peer and teacher feedback. For more information about this tool, contact ELP Program Manager Rachel Maida.

Look for more DLSAI-created tools and resources in future editions of Reflections.

ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM ELP

EXCITING INNOVATIONS COMING TO HAWAII!

ELP is happy to announce the Hawaii Innovative Leaders Network (HILN), a new initiative led by Bob Lenz with the generous support of The Castle Foundation. The HILN was developed in response to the need for a core group of educational leaders to help schools navigate the momentous changes coming to schools throughout Hawaii. The Common Core State Standards and the next generation assessments are both clear indications of a growing consensus about the need for students who can demonstrate what they know and can do. And while many school leaders have the vision and the courage to redesign schools that meet these new outcomes, many do not have the capacity yet to lead these complex changes. Additionally, many innovative leaders who are steering the change process in their own systems are working in isolation and lack access to peer learning and support.

Enter the HILN. Hawaii's education leaders will have the opportunity to work together, share proven strategies, and strengthen their collective efforts to move their schools forward. Envision's Chief of Innovation, Bob Lenz, will lead the HILN, utlizing his experience and knowledge of transformational school change. He is looking forward to helping more Hawaiian schools, school leaders and students succeed.

For more information, please contact Bob.

LEARNING CORNER

A Google Hangout on Project-Based Learning & CCSS Performance Tasks

This past Spring, Justin Wells, ELP Director of Client Partnerships, joined the Buck Institute for Education Editor in Chief John Larmer and National Faculty member Andrew Miller to "hangout" and discuss how PBL can prepare students for the performance tasks planned for the new CCSS assessments. Click the image to watch the Google Hangout!

PARTNERING FOR SUCCESS

INSPIRE: Capture and share student and teacher success! Email your stories, photos and videos and we will share them in a future newsletter. Email Rachel Maida, Program Manager.

INFORM: Learn more about Envision Learning Partners (ELP), our partnership opportunities and our events. Contact Rachel Maida, Program Manager.

INVOLVE: Join us! Visit the Envision Education Careers page for opportunities to join our teams.

INFLUENCE: Spread the word about ELP. Forward this newsletter to your colleagues and friends, and encourage them to subscribe to Reflections.

INVEST: Support Envision Education! Invest in our programs to make a difference in the lives of American students. Contact Kate Schwass, Development Director to learn more.

info@envisionlearning.org | envisionlearning.org