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Learning that is actively engaging encourages deep interaction with content, in ways to build motivation and ownership and support the transfer of new knowledge and skills to application. Explore practical strategies that:

Choice and agency
Self-directed learning
Authentic inquiry and application
Knowledge activation and reflection

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Student writes on paper in front of laptop

Bronx Arena High School

Senior Portfolios

Culminating projects that seniors design, work through, and present to demonstrate high levels of learning self-management
image of workshop.png

Holmes Elementary School

Workshop

Student Led Collaborative Groups
image of Virtual-Summer-STEM-Challenge.png

Meriden Public Schools

Virtual Summer STEM Challenge

A virtual summer STEM weeklong program for 4th graders
image of Using-Custom-AI-Chatbots-to-Support-Multilingual-Learners-with-Content-Acquisition.png

Lynwood Unified School District

Using AI to Support Multilingual Learners with Content Acquisition

Expanding Access to Academic Content Through AI-Powered Language Supports
Person typing at laptop with pencil in hand, while wearing headphones

Take Advantage of Lost Learning Time

Use technology to leverage virtual learning days and take advantage of lost learning time
Photo of teacher standing at table speaking with group of seated students

Lindsay High School

Reading Interventions

Using real-time data to address Learners’ reading needs
Student speaks in front of class

Bronx Arena High School

Graduated Student Autonomy

Consistent learning structures that shift from teacher-led to student-led as students gain ownership of their learning
Photo of student explaining tablet presentation

CICS West Belden

Student Choice in Resources and Assignments through “Menus”

Offering options over when and how to create choice
Teacher speaks with four students in a group at one table

Cisco Junior High School

Targeted Small Group Instruction

Supporting students in small group instruction during individual rotations
Student smiles at laptop screen

West Chester Area School District's Cyber Program

West Chester Area School District's Approach to Mastery and Expectations

How a virtual/hybrid program addressed student mastery and expectations around rigor for virtual learning
Students work individually on laptops

Bronx Arena High School

Demonstrating Mastery with Two Challenges and a Capstone

Students complete challenges to progress through a course and a capstone to earn a credit
View of bulletin board showing class progress markers

Bronx Arena High School

Providing Productivity Guidance through Tasks and a Banking System

Students work on different courses in different places, but all are expected to complete five learning tasks each day
Male student looks over colorful board on wall

Trailblazer Elementary School

Common Mastery-Based Practices

Creating a common understanding of mastery practices among staff and students
A woman sitting at a desk with a laptop, writing in notebook

Cambridge Public Schools

Asynchronous Learning Modules for Educators

Offering professional development and training that educators can complete at their own pace
Photo of teacher standing and speaking with seated student working on her laptop

Lindsay High School

Learner Accountability for Grading

Learner responsibility to ensure the gradebook reflects their most recent learning progress
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Dallas Independent School District

Building Self-Paced Student Learning with Google Slides

Creating self-paced student lessons with Google Slides for remote learning
image of What-I-Need-WIN-Block.png

Mendon-Upton Regional School District

What I Need (WIN) Block

A flexible block of time to support students’ individual interests and needs
Girl writes on paper, sitting near computer

Pleasant View Elementary School

Authentic Projects

Assessment of mastery through projects in addition to skill-based learning
Student sitting in a chair with a laptop and headphones on

Cabarrus County Schools

Cabarrus Virtual Academy's Approach to Active Engagement in Virtual Learning

How a virtual academy integrated active engagement into their program
image of 3-before-me.png

Wheatley Education Campus

3 Before Me

Utilizing peer support to build culture and agency
Example of learner pathways showing different folders for math topics

Trailblazer Elementary School

Promoting Personalization through Learner Pathways

Students choose how to engage with learning activities based on daily pre-assessments and personal preferences
Photo of students working independently at classroom table

Pleasant View Elementary School

Structures for Supporting Self-Directed Learning

Meeting a variety of students’ needs through norms and extra supports
Student points at laptop while another looks on

Valor Collegiate Academies

Student Support Structures for Personalized Learning

Providing multiple types of support to balance students’ needs and teachers’ time
Photo of high-school classroom

LPS Richmond

Common Launch

Opening class with shared problem solving to create a culture focused on growth
Photo of Road to Success chart with student and teacher hands implying explanation

CICS West Belden

Student-Led Progress Tracking

Assessment initiated by student to increase ownership
image of Mastery-Based-Math-Learning-Through-22Cafes22.png

Liberty Public Schools

Mastery-Based Math Learning Through “Cafés”

Competency-based learning model where students engage in self-directed learning
Photo of student working on her laptop and writing by hand

LPS Richmond

Assessment Initiated by Student

Students request assessments to demonstrate mastery and set pace of course
Photo of two students working together with notebooks and laptop computers

ReNEW DTA Academy

Student Support Structures

Creating a structure of supports to help struggling students
Student smiles as she looks at laptop

Locust Grove Middle School

Customized Learner Pathways

Creating common pathways for academic progress that can be customized for individual students
View of classroom bulletin board with post-it notes; bulletin board reads, "Why We Love Arena 8"

Bronx Arena High School

Arenas (Four-Hour Time Blocks)

Large blocks of time that enable students to work through their courses with flexible, personalized supports
A young boy sitting at a desk with his arms crossed, smiling

Student Badges

Micro-credentials for students who demonstrate specific skills
Photo closeup of student working with device with teacher and another student in background

CICS West Belden

Multiple Methods of Support

Use of peers, teachers, and online resources to offer choice in support
Photo of table with various worksheets laid out for students

LPS Richmond

Team Work Tables

Tables grouped throughout class to enable small groups and improve team orientation
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Video Pairing

Pair a video with an activity to make the learning more active
Students sit in row at computers, looking at screens

Cisco Junior High School

Providing Pacing Guidance with "Must Do" and "May Do" Tasks

Playlists contain components that students must do to show mastery, as well as additional options that extend learning
Smiling teacher holding a tablet in a computer lab, students working at desktops behind her.

Valley New School

Teaching Students AI Ethics Through Workshops

Empowering Students to Navigate AI’s Ethical Complexities
Teacher speaks to student as she looks at laptop

Bronx Arena High School

Promoting Student Ownership and Agency

Building consistent structures that continually allow students to own their learning experiences
A small group of students listen to their teacher talking

Pleasant View Elementary School

Multi-Pronged Student Support Structure

Providing structure and multiple options to support struggling students
Photo of poster reading Respect is not a Gift, You have to earn it

ReNEW DTA Academy

Emphasis on Life Skill Development

Teaching and practicing skills that go beyond 8th grade math
Photo of group of students seated at table working on laptops

Lindsay High School

Customized Playlists to Keep Learners on Track

Facilitator-created playlists to provide appropriate learning pathways and resources for each Learner
Photo of seated student working with her notebook and on her laptop

LPS Richmond

Student Choice Over Path, Place, and Modalities

Students choose assignments and learning resources to create a more personalized learning experience
Student sits alone in lounge chair, working on laptop

Cisco Junior High School

Balancing Student Choice and Needs with Playlists

Students select their work from skill-level appropriate playlists
Student sits inside classroom, looking down at book and reading alone

Implementing a Flex Time Period

Creating flexible learning time for students to focus on high-value instruction
Poster of student career-based project

Locust Grove Middle School

Students Pursue Career-Based Projects

Students select “Houses” of interest and complete long-term projects related to possible careers
Male student sits at laptop while female student looks on from the side

Trailblazer Elementary School

Student Voice and Choice - Common Practices

Providing students with the ability to decide when and how they learn best throughout the day
Photo of teacher standing and talking with student seated in front of his laptop

Lindsay High School

Supports for Pacing

Multiple opportunities to help Learners stay on-pace
Photo of student working on her tablet device

CICS West Belden

Defaulting to Independent Learning Time

Shared expectation to keep students on task
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Norwood Public Schools

Break Timers

Embedding breaks with suggested activities into your daily schedule
Teacher looks on as students complete work at desk

Valor Collegiate Academies

Additional Math Instructional Time through a Content Focus Class

Creating an extra semester’s worth of time to provide targeted math instruction
Student smiles as she types on laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Self-Directed Summer Math Piloting

Providing students with review content over the summer to prepare for algebra
Student wearing earphones smiles as he works on laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Self-Paced Progress through Playlists

Students work through playlists at their own pace
Student works off of tablet in front of interactive white board

Lovett Elementary School

Student Choice of Mastery Demonstration

Allowing students to choose how they show mastery of the application of a skill
Close-up of a student working, with pencil in hand, on paper at desk, with blurred view of student to her side

Valor Collegiate Academies

Playlist Data Trackers

Monitoring student progress through a simple, paper-based tool
Photo of teacher speaking to large class of students

ReNEW DTA Academy

Teacher-Led Large Group Instruction

Teaching to large heterogeneous groups to maximize efficiency
Teacher speaks to students while they touch and observe a 3-D city map

Trailblazer Elementary School

Genius Hour

Self-paced passion projects that students pursue through inquiry-based learning
Student speaks, gesturing, while two students look on

Bronx Arena High School

Activity-Based Collaborative Learning Labs

Specific time set aside each morning for students to focus on an additional subject of interest