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A hallmark of deeper learning is students’ ability to apply their knowledge to new situations and complex problems. Big Picture Learning has successfully instantiated, sustained, and spread deeper learning practices in ways that advance equity in schools across the nation. This deep look into its systems and structures reveals how the network and its leaders have consistently been responsive to communities and local conditions, which allows network-affiliated schools to take on a distinct character while maintaining fidelity to Big Picture Learning's deeper learning focus.
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In an era of landmark education reforms and investments, a number of California school districts are achieving extraordinary results with students across racial and socioeconomic groups. These districts used complex, systematic approaches that were closely tailored to their communities’ needs and promoted opportunities for all young people to develop critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication competencies—often referred to as “deeper learning” skills.
Jacqueline AncessBethany L. RogersDeAnna Duncan GrandLinda Darling-Hammond
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Most students at New York’s Bronxdale High School enter 9th grade achieving well below proficiency levels on standardized tests, yet they end up outperforming their peers and city averages in credit accrual, graduation rates, and enrollment in postsecondary education. Educators at Bronxdale teach the way students learn best by tightly weaving social and emotional skills and academic mindsets with academic learning in a safe, caring and collaborative learning environment.
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Students applying to some New England colleges and universities have seen a new option on their application forms allowing them to submit performance assessment artifacts. The option is made possible through a national initiative, Reimagining College Access (RCA), that brings together more than 100 education organizations, k-12 school systems, and colleges and universities.
Dion BurnsLinda Darling-HammondCaitlin ScottTaylor AllbrightDesiree Carver-ThomasEupha Jeanne DaramolaJane L. DavidLaura E. HernándezKate E. KennedyJulie A. MarshCrystal A. MooreAnne PodolskyPatrick M. ShieldsJoan Talbert
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This report examines the commonalities among seven diverse "positive outlier" school districts in which students are achieving at higher-than-predicted levels. The seven districts are among more than a hundred California school districts in which African American, Latino/a, and White students achieved at higher-than-predicted levels, controlling for their socioeconomic status.
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San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) supports teaching and learning in California’s second-largest school district. Nearly three quarters of SDUSD students are students of color, almost 60% of students are economically disadvantaged, and 24% are English learners. SDUSD has excelled at supporting the learning of all students, making it one of California’s “positive outlier” districts in which students performed better than predicted on California state tests from 2015 through 2017.
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Sanger Unified School District (USD) serves approximately 12,000 students in California’s Central Valley. Seventy-three percent are from low-income families, 70% are Latino/a, and 18% are English learners. By developing a culture of continuous improvement and an instructional regime of direct instruction, Sanger USD has become one of California’s “positive outlier” districts in which students performed better than predicted on California state tests from 2015 through 2017.
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Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD) educates approximately 72,200 students, 90% of whom are students of color, while 65% are from economically disadvantaged families and 15% are English learners. LBUSD employs critical practices and policies to promote learning, making it one of California’s “positive outlier” districts in which students performed better than predicted on California state tests from 2015 through 2017.
Taylor AllbrightJulie A. MarshEupha Jeanne DaramolaKate E. Kennedy
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Hawthorne School District (HSD) is a small district serving a working-class suburb of the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Eighty-seven percent of students are from low-income families, 71% are Latino/a, and 21% are African American. HSD employs critical practices and policies to promote learning, making it one of California’s “positive outlier” districts in which students performed better than predicted on California state tests from 2015 through 2017.
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Gridley Unified School District serves more than 2,000 students in a small rural town in California. The median annual household income in Gridley is just over 60% of the state average. Located in a close-knit community, Gridley Unified has created a culture of support to promote student learning, making it one of California’s “positive outlier” districts in which students performed better than predicted on California state tests from 2015 through 2017.
