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This section explores concrete, field-tested strategies in four key practice areas: targeted and relevant, actively engaging, socially connected, and growth oriented. Educators can use these strategies to co-create experiences with students, bringing a personalized, mastery-based, and whole-child approach to life in the context of their own classroom, school, and content area.

Targeted and Relevant
  • Grade-level learning
  • Individual and small-group instruction
  • Differentiated pathways and material
  • Culturally relevant and sustaining
Actively Engaging
  • Choice and agency
  • Self-directed learning
  • Authentic inquiry and application
  • Knowledge activation and reflection
Socially Connected
  • Peer learning and collaboration
  • Relationship and trust-building
  • Family engagement and involvement
  • Community and civic connection
Growth Oriented
  • Goal-setting and planning
  • Sustained opportunities for practice
  • Meaningful feedback
  • Progress monitoring and reporting

Select Practice Area

Targeted and Relevant

When learning is targeted and relevant, every student can access and interact with instruction, materials, and experiences that are aligned to community goals and competencies and tailored to their unique needs, strengths, interests, and identities. Explore practical strategies for that:

image of TargetedRelevant.png
  • Sub-topics
    • Grade-level learning
    • Individual and small-group instruction
    • Differentiated pathways and materials
    • Culturally relevant and sustaining
  • Learning Location
    • hybrid
    • remote
    • in-person
  • Domain
    • science
    • math
    • ela/literacy
    • social studies
    • social emotional learning
    • physical health
    • mental health
    • identity development
    • cognitive development
    • arts
  • Modality
    • asynchronous
    • synchronous
    • analog
    • digital
    • whole group
    • small group
    • individual
  • Grade Level Example
    • elementary
    • middle school
    • high school
  • Educator Action
    • Data Use
    • Planning
    • Intervention
    • Delivery
    • Assessment
    • Collaboration
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Photo of creative classroom with flexible groups of students

CICS West Belden

Flexible Grouping

Combining students to differentiate instruction
Photo of student viewing her binder with laptop in front

Lindsay High School

Learner Choice as to How To Demonstrate Higher-Level Mastery

Learners choose how they want to demonstrate mastery knowledge to increase engagement
Student types on laptop while wearing headphones

Trailblazer Elementary School

Integrating Online Programs to Differentiate Learning

Personalizing content by student need, with bounded student choice
A group of children are sitting around a table in a classroom.

Making Sense of Your Data Findings for Advocacy

Connecting your insights with actionable advocacy steps
Photo of teacher working with small group of students around a table

LPS Richmond

Heterogeneous Teams

Teacher-assigned student teams to support a variety of skill levels
Teen girl in a purple hoodie, wearing headphones, gestures while speaking on a laptop video call at her desk.

Denver Online High School

Using a Custom Chatbot to Support Virtual Learners

Supporting Remote Learners' Agency Through Embedded Just-in-Time Supports
Girl writes on paper, sitting near computer

Pleasant View Elementary School

Authentic Projects

Assessment of mastery through projects in addition to skill-based learning
image of 22Walking-Time22-to-Support-Standards-Mastery.png

Chicago Public Schools

"Walking Time" to Support Standards Mastery

Supporting standards mastery with flexible classroom assignments
Photo of poster board on wall that shows various graphs of data

Cisco Junior High School

Common Data Practices

Cisco looks at a variety of data sources and uses them in different ways to improve teaching and learning
Teacher points at laptop while standing between two students

Locust Grove Middle School

Benchmarking Progress with MAP Tests

Identifying student needs and growth with MAP Assessments
Photo closeup of device screen showing student playlist with student in background

Roots Elementary

Defaulting to Individual Playlists

Creating rules in the calendar app to ensure students are always learning in a personalized way during instructional time
Photo of teacher aide standing at table and speaking with a group of seated students

LPS Richmond

Tiered Student Supports

Multiple non-teacher support options to increase ownership of student learning
Photo closeup of bottom of computer and top of keyboard and hands typing and holding pencil

LPS Richmond

Work at Home

24/7 access to provide students more autonomy over when and where they learn
Chart of daily classroom schedule

CICS West Belden

Daily Agenda

Providing an explicit plan for students in each class
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
View of papers on a set of desks

Locust Grove Middle School

Collaborative Planning with Data

Weekly time for teachers to meet, monitor progress, and plan using student data
Teacher gestures at white board, speaking with students

Valor Collegiate Academies

Scaffolded Small Group Instruction

Targeting instruction to small groups of students throughout the week
Two students sit beside each other in hallway and hold up reports, smiling

Lovett Elementary School

Lovett Learner Profiles

Collecting data to understand students beyond academic progress
Photo of students and teacher in classroom

CICS West Belden

Targeted Large Group Instruction

Using whole groups to maximize efficiency
Photo of students working on laptops seated at table

Lindsay High School

Power Standards

Highlighting most important learning standards to help students make better choices about what they choose to learn
Two students working on laptops

Bronx Arena High School

Measuring Three Levels of Mastery

Students can show proficiency of academic skills at learning, functional, and nuanced levels
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
Teacher stands in front of white board inside classroom while students in seats look on

Lovett Elementary School

Weekly Learning Cycles

Introducing topics through whole group instruction, then guided release toward independent learning
Teacher points at paper in front of two students at desk

Lovett Elementary School

Differentiating Units & Classes at a High Level

Placing students in low, medium, and high classes based on previously demonstrated knowledge
Two students standing side-by-side, one looks on excitedly

Total Language Response

Using body language and non-verbal cues to support understanding
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
Photo of students working together with standing teacher assisting

ReNEW DTA Academy

Emphasizing Assessment Readiness

Students initiate assessments to improve their chances of success
image of RealTimeData-strat.png

Collecting Real-Time Student Data

Gauge students’ understanding in a remote-friendly way as you go through a lesson
Gray T-shirt that reads "I am the difference at Trailblazer Elementary"

Trailblazer Elementary School

Inclusion Approach to Special Education

Integrating special education teachers into general education classrooms
A young boy sitting at a desk with his arms crossed, smiling

Student Badges

Micro-credentials for students who demonstrate specific skills
A seated student raises his hand, with blurred view of teacher in the foreground

Complete Sentences

Students respond in complete sentences to build language proficiency
Teacher works with students on project in classroom

Using Data to Advocate for Students with Learning Differences

Strategically using data to understand and support students with learning differences, inside and outside the classroom
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 looks closely at another person at desk

Bronx Arena High School

Students Focus on Three Credits

Enabling opportunities for deeper and faster learning by limiting the amount of classes a student can take at the same time
A group of children using a tablet computer in a classroom as teacher looks on

Advocating for Students’ Unfinished Learning Needs

Using data to address unfinished learning
A woman talking to another woman in an office while the second woman writes down notes

Leveraging Disciplinary Data to Advocate for Students

Using data on disciplinary events to advocate for equitable practices
Photo closeup of tablet screen reading "Good Work" with student in background

Roots Elementary

Creation and Use of Micro-Standards

Using more granular standards to better understand student progress
Photo of student and teacher working together seated at a table in front of a laptop

LPS Richmond

Direct Instruction for Academic Content and Non-Cognitive Skills

Whole class instruction to promote habits of success and mindsets
Photo closeup of teacher analyzing data on tablet screen

Roots Elementary

Structured Data Analysis Reflection

Providing a structured template to help guide teachers through a data-driven process
One teacher works with one group of students as another teacher in the background works with other students

Valor Collegiate Academies

Coordination Between Core Content and Math Focus Teachers

Collaborating over student data to ensure instructional time is used effectively
image of Building-a-Partnership-with-Local-Community-College-To-Increase-Access-to-Learning-Opportunities.png

Meriden Public Schools

Building a Partnership with Local Community College To Increase Access to Learning Opportunities

Exchanging classroom space for college courses
Elementary students stand in line, leaning on each other

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Cross Grade-Level Teams

Working in teams across multiple grade levels to create more flexibility
Photo of teacher and student in conversation seated at desk in front of laptop with other students in background

Lindsay High School

Progress Monitoring Through Empower

Facilitators use the Empower, formerly Educate, system to determine how well each Learner is developing along their learning path
image of Using-Highest-Qualified-Staff-for-1-to-1-Support.png

Hopkins Public Schools

Using Highest-Qualified Staff for 1:1 Support

Leveraging paraprofessionals for multi-tiered systems of instructional support
Teacher stands inside classroom, speaking and gesturing

Model, Model, Model

Supporting students who are learning English through modeling using the “I do, we do, you do” method of gradual release
This is a photo of students working together to provide support to each other.

Remote Buddy Projects

Grouping in-person and remote students together for projects
Photo of student and teacher working together on laptop

CICS West Belden

Structures to Support Individualized Pacing

Structures and expectations to support mastery-based pacing at the individual level
Photo of students of multiple ages working together in one classroom

CICS West Belden

Multi-Age Classrooms

Combining grade levels to connect students with similar needs
Photo closeup of student working on laptop device with headphones and other students in background

CICS West Belden

Periodic diagnostic process

Beginning-, middle-, and end-of-year data collection to develop Learner Profile
Photo of student and teacher giving each other high-five celebrating sucess

Roots Elementary

Moving with Mastery Through Learning Standards

Using data and flexible resources to determine which students are ready for more challenging material
image of ColorCoding-strat.png

Intrinsic Schools

Color-Coding for Ease and Clarity

Offering visual clues to help students and teachers find the right thing at the right time.
Students working at desks and on laptops scattered throughout a classroom

Pleasant View Elementary School

Flexible Working Groups

Create targeted small groups to differentiate instruction
Three male students sitting in hallway, holding pencils and looking down at papers

Lovett Elementary School

Lovett's Modified Grading Based On Skill Level

Measuring academic growth based on students’ current skill levels
Chart of student names and progress across objectives

Lindsay High School

Capacity Matrix

Providing an explicit learning agenda to guide Learners through each learning unit
Teacher looks on as group of students work together

Locust Grove Middle School

Selecting Small Groups by Learning Level

Continually shifting groups to support students working at the same learning level while moving at their own pace
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
Photo of teacher seated at front of class with group of students seated in front and copying teacher patting head

Roots Elementary

Heterogeneous and Homogeneous Groups

Differentiated groups to enhance different learning experiences
Photo closeup of student using device with headphones

Roots Elementary

MAP Data Use

Assessing with NWEA MAP to determine Roots’ performance relative to other schools
Photo closeup of two laptops

Lindsay High School

Triangulation of Data

Looking at data to determine appropriate Learners supports during Personalized Learning Time
Four students sit on colorful floor, looking up at teacher as she gestures at white board

Lovett Elementary School

Differentiating Instruction Based on Student Need

Using station rotation and individual rotation models to personalize instruction
A group of children making paper crafts in a classroom

Leveraging Data to Advocate for More Creative Learning Experiences

Using data to understand and create more creative learning experiences for students
A child's raised hands with bright, multicolored swirls of paint on both palms with the child's eyes peeking through their spread fingers.

Example: The Myth of Learning Styles (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective around the myth of learning styles
Students sit grouped at tables with technology

Valor Collegiate Academies

Multiple Methods of Student Groupings

Mixing a variety of grouping strategies based on students’ needs
Student sits at desk, working

Cisco Junior High School

Using Pretests and Posttests to Identify Learning Growth and Needs

Creating formative data with pretests and summative data with posttests
Photo of student working on her tablet device

CICS West Belden

Defaulting to Independent Learning Time

Shared expectation to keep students on task
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
Two teachers speak to classroom

Pleasant View Elementary School

Pleasant View's Integrated Teaching Teams

Push-in Special Education teachers to support students with learning disabilities coherently
Student sits in classroom, looking off to the side as he holds a pencil

Lovett Elementary School

Collecting Student Data through Varied Assessments

Teachers use multiple data points to better understand student progress
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
Photo of small group of students seated and working together

Roots Elementary

Daily, Weekly, and Long-Term Student Groupings

Employing multiple grouping approaches to meet immediate needs as well as provide stable working teams
A woman talking to a student in an office.

Developing a Data Story

Using actionable data to tell a story that advocates for students
image of VirtualManipulatives-strat.png

Highline Public Schools

Virtual Manipulatives

Students show conceptual understanding of math concepts using virtual tools
Student wearing headphones smiles at laptop

Gulfport Virtual Academy

Gulfport Virtual Academy's Approach to Targeted, Relevant Virtual Learning

How a virtual school made instruction targeted and relevant to center students
Two students walking together outside, one holds an open book they're both looking at

NYC School Without Walls

Increasing Student Buy-In with Targeted Communications (NYC SWOW)

How a hybrid program encouraged higher attendance and engagement through fieldwork
image of DefiningRoles-strat.png

Defining Clear Roles in Group Work

Supporting each student to be successful and collaborative during small-group time
Teacher assists two students gathered around a tablet in a colorful classroom.

Desert Edge High School

Using AI to Support Academy-Based Interdisciplinary Learning

Leveraging a Custom Chatbot to Create Career-Connected, CTE-Aligned Instructional Resources
image of Multi-Grade-level-Classrooms.png

Liberty Public Schools

Multi-Grade Level Classrooms

Multi-grade classrooms provide flexibility with frequently shifting numbers of students attending in-person classes and foster teacher collaboration
Photo of teacher and student discussing content

Roots Elementary

Daily Adjustments to Student Learning

Employing formative data to adjust learning activities as students progress faster or slower than expected
image of Offering-College-Credit-Bearing-Opportunities.png

Meriden Public Schools

Offering College-Credit Bearing Opportunities

Partnering with universities to provide college credit courses in high school
Teacher sits at table with student with windows in background, looking together at laptop

Valor Collegiate Academies

Looking at Student Work Protocol

Structured review of student work to better understand how students approach assignments and determine additional supports
Student writing on a notepad

Say Something Cards

Giving students scaffolding for peer-led classroom conversations
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
A woman in glasses is using a laptop in an office.

Strategies for Equitably Analyzing Disciplinary Data

Understanding inequitable patterns in disciplinary data
Photo of teacher working with two students on their laptops

LPS Richmond

Flexible Daily Small Group Instruction

Customized groupings to address learning needs and create team experts for specific learning objectives
Written chart titled "Non-Fiction Summary." The text below presents sentence prompts for students to use and reads: "The text (blank - title) is about (blank - main idea). First, you should now (blank - detail 1). Next, (blank - detail 2). Then, (blank - detail 3). Finally, (blank - detail 4). Now I think (blank - opinion) because (blank - detail to support opinion).

Scaffolded Summary

Supporting student writing using sentence stems
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
image of Virtual-Outcomes-Based-Contract-Tutoring.png

Ector Country Independent School District

Virtual, Outcomes-Based Contract Tutoring

Partnering with online programs to provide high-dose tutoring with payment contingent on student growth
Photo of group of students seated at table in discussion

Lindsay High School

Learner Choice of Mastery Level

Flexibility to meet minimum thresholds or aim for higher mastery to improve time management and ownership
Wide view of teacher working with students in classroom

Cisco Junior High School

Whole Class Instruction

Identifying similar gaps in knowledge and providing instruction for the whole class
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
Student placing colorful blocks into black tray

Locust Grove Middle School

Makerspaces

Large classrooms with resources to support students’ project-based learning
Female student points at white board while teacher looks on, smiling

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Opportunity Hour

Creating time for Professional Learning Communities by offering unique learning opportunities to students
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
Four students sit at grouped desks alongside two educators inside classroom

Lovett Elementary School

Multi-age Learning Pods

Grouping students in grade ranges to allow for more flexible instruction and collaborative teaching
Photo of student and his laptop with screen showing data dashboard

LPS Richmond

Data Dashboard for Progress Monitoring

Teacher uses data dashboard to understand where each student is in their learning pathway
Teacher looks over the shoulders of two students as they work

Valor Collegiate Academies

Diverse Data Sources

Leveraging data from multiple sources to inform instructional decisions
Photo of student and teacher working together at desk

ReNEW DTA Academy

Student Self-Reporting Progress

Students provide progress updates to minimize teacher grading time
Teacher leans down by one student, looking down at desk

Bronx Arena High School

Student Pacing Based on Content Mastery

When students show mastery, they immediately move on to new content or courses
Two elementary school students work together on a project at a table

Example: Mix It Up! The Benefits of Mixed-Ability Groups (IgnitED Research)

This video shares evidence from the learning sciences and a practitioner perspective about the benefits of mixed-ability student groups
image of VirtualScavenger-strat.png

Virtual Scavenger Hunt

Give students a chance to incorporate movement in an engaging way
image of RemPathways_strat2.png

Remote Pathways

Virtual, small groups for a personalized experience and support
image of OnlineAgenda-strat.png

Uxbridge Public Schools

Online Agenda

Offering clarity and consistency to ensure everyone is on the same page
image of Career-Academy-Vocational-School-Partnership.png

Meriden Public Schools

Career Academy Vocational School Partnership

Offering high school students vocational training
Photo of teacher working with two students

CICS West Belden

Progress Triangulation

Looking at profile, pathway, and ongoing data to assess student progress
Teacher talks directly with student

Bronx Arena High School

Co-Creating Graduation Plans with Credit Mapping

Students and teachers map out learning and graduation goals and create a plan to achieve them
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
Teacher sits at desk with individual student, looking over textbook

Cisco Junior High School

Creating Extra Time for Student Support in Extension Classes

All 6th graders and some 7th graders have an extra class period for personalized support in math and ELA
Teacher speaks with someone, hands folded

Bronx Arena High School

Collaboration between Teachers and Advocate Counselors

Collaborative teaching teams that support the whole student
image of Gamification-strat.png

Gather Data Through Gamification

Use engaging and fun platforms to quickly check for understanding
Photo of student working on her laptop

Pleasant View Elementary School

STAR Testing Data Use

Adaptive testing to measure student reading growth
Teacher leans over desk, writing on paper, with students nearby

Know-Wonder-Learn (KWL) Chart

Building in opportunities and connection
Photo closeup of back of student's head with fingers counting along with teacher's fingers and devices in the background

Roots Elementary

6-8 Week Data Cycles

Mastery assessments every 6-8 weeks to measure student progress and identify learning needs
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
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
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
image of Marzanos-Practice.png

Holmes Elementary School

Marzano's Practice

Student Driven Self-Assessment
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
image of High-dosage-tutoring.png

Metro Nashville Public Schools

High-Dosage Tutoring

Utilizing community partnerships to provide one-on-one tutoring to students
image of 19.png

Norwood Public Schools

Expectations Ensure Engagement

Outlining clear expectations for small-group work in remote settings
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
Two female students sit at desk in classroom as one raises her hand

Lovett Elementary School

Modifying Standards to Meet Student Needs

Teaching a topic at different levels of depth & complexity to make it accessible for all 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
Students in hallway in a discussion

Ector Country Independent School District

Equity-Focused Attendance Phase-In

Prioritizing access to in-person learning for students with greatest need
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
Photo of teacher working with a group of students at table in classroom

Roots Elementary

6-8 Week Learning Groups

Periodic benchmark assessments to determine student progress and adjust student learning paths
image of Schoolwide-Student-Identity-Day.png

Chicago Public Schools

Schoolwide Student Identity Day

Celebrating student identities with schoolwide celebration
Two students look at each other as they speak, smiling

Valor Collegiate Academies

Incorporating Expressions of Gratitude into the School Day

Giving “Appreciations” to emphasize that gratitude for others is part of building healthy relationships
Young student wears headphones and looks down at tablet he is holding

Non-Verbal Representation

Using visual and auditory inputs other than written or spoken words
Student writing in notebook, wearing headphones, looking at laptop

Virtual Rotation

Offering multiple hybrid learning experiences throughout the day
Eight students stand with teacher in front of white board, smiling

Lovett Elementary School

Full Inclusion of Students with Learning Disabilities

Providing special education resources to students with additional need in general education classrooms
Students sit on floor, looking down and writing in folders

Trailblazer Elementary School

Trailblazer's Team-Based Flexible Learning Spaces

Students move between learning spaces based on their learning preferences and needs