Webinar: Scaling Up Deeper Learning Approaches in Public Schools

Deeper learning approaches help students to develop the critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills alongside the academic skills that are necessary for success in college, career, and citizenship. These approaches have been in use for decades, but effective ways to sustain and scale up these learning approaches remains elusive. This is especially true in underserved and under-resourced schools, which serve the highest numbers of students from low-income families and students of color. These schools often rely on narrow curricula focusing on basic skills and content knowledge with fewer opportunities for student to engage in meaningful learning.

This webinar featured experts from the field and researchers who discussed the challenges and opportunities educators and district leaders face in expanding deeper learning. The discussion featured new research from the Learning Policy Institute that highlights how three networks— Big Picture Learning, Internationals Network for Public Schools, and New Tech Network—have partnered with public school districts to create systems and processes that spread deeper learning models in ways that advance equity and result in greater success for traditionally marginalized students.

Panelists shared insights from their efforts in the field, discussing how they have leveraged policies, professional learning, and partnerships to establish and grow deeper learning in different settings. As decision makers at the school, district, and state level look for ways to engage all students in deeper learning environments, this webinar can shed light on promising approaches that can support the spread of equitable, student-centered learning in U.S. schools.

Panelists

• Linda Darling-Hammond, President, Learning Policy Institute
• Deb Delisle, President and Chief Executive Officer, Alliance for Excellent Education
• Laura Hernández, Senior Researcher, Learning Policy Institute
• Jim May, Chief Schools Officer, New Tech Network
• Sonn Sam, Regional Director, Big Picture Learning
• Julie Kessler, Supervisor, Innovation and Design, San Francisco Unified School District

Photo courtesy of Allison Shelley/The Verbatim Agency for American Education: Images of Teachers and Students in Action.