Plugged In | 02.12.21 – Learning and Networking Opportunities Ahead

February 12, 2021

Aurora Institute - Plugged In
 

Upcoming Events
Aurora frequently hosts webinars and convenings with the field’s leading experts to explore trends, tackle pressing problems of practice and policy, and share emerging knowledge from research. The following opportunities to learn and network are open for registration.
Exploring Innovative School Models in the Canopy Project’s Interactive National Database

Exploring Innovative School Models in the Canopy Project’s Interactive National Database

March 10, 2021 |  3 PM ET

Newly released data from the Canopy project provide an overview of how 150+ schools are innovating during the COVID-19 era. In this webinar, we will describe the Canopy Project’s crowdsourced approach to building collective knowledge on a more diverse set of innovative schools across the country. In addition, we’ll share trends in how the most innovative schools are redesigning their models to advance personalization, nurture relationships, build an anti-racist society, and ensure well-being for every student. Join us to discuss emerging trends in school model innovation and what kinds of analyses the Canopy project should prioritize moving forward.

Register
Exploring Innovative School Models in the Canopy Project’s Interactive National Database
Presenters:

  • Chelsea Waite, Education Research Fellow, Christensen Institute
  • David Nitkin, Partner, Transcend
 

A Strategic Reflection on the Field of Competency-Based Education
Presenters:

  • Tonya Howell, CBE Social Emotional Integration Specialist, Chicago Public Schools
  • Fred Jones, Policy Director, Aurora Institute
  • Eliot Levine, Research Director, Aurora Institute
  • Susan Patrick, President and CEO, Aurora Institute
  • Damarr Smith, Project Manager of CBE, Chicago Public Schools

A Strategic Reflection on the Field of Competency-Based Education

March 23, 2021 | 3 PM ET

Schools and districts across the United States are realizing the promise of competency-based education—transforming the culture, structure, and pedagogy of the traditional time-based system into one that is designed to help every student succeed. Attend this webinar to hear reflections on the current state of competency-based education. Gain an understanding of developments happening across the field. The presenters will explore areas of growth for the field, identify emerging issues, and provide insights to inform the future direction of competency-based education. We will also invite your reflections on the field.

Register
 

Education Domain Blog

Innovation Is Everywhere
Innovation Is Everywhere

As program officers at three national education foundations, we know that educators everywhere are making big changes in teaching and learning. But the education community—funders like us, along with state and federal decision-makers, district and school leaders, researchers, and advocates—has not had a ready source of detailed information about innovators outside established networks or major urban centers. As a result, only a few schools gain widespread attention, and models that are relevant to educators working in a variety of contexts remain under the radar.

Read More
 

Public Comments Submitted on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program

The Aurora Institute submitted a formal public comment letter to the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Notice regarding the implementation of the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program (EBBP). The FCC requested input on how best to structure and administer the new $3.2 billion program to support internet access by and the supply of connected devices to households living on low incomes.

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Public Comments Submitted on the Emergency Broadband Benefit Program
 

Center for Policy Updates
Center for Policy Updates

The Aurora Institute Center for Policy has compiled a resource on the latest developments in federal and state education policy. The January 2021 update includes a look at the new leadership at the U.S. Department of Education, CDC guidance on school reopenings, and the educational implications of the proposed COVID-19 recovery package. At the state level, Michigan is seeking to cancel student assessments, Minnesota Governor Walz has unveiled a new education plan, and a state House committee has declared racism a public health crisis. Nevada has equipped every student with internet and devices for learning. Pennsylvania and Wyoming are working on graduate profiles. The Center is also watching eight bills related to personalized, competency-based education.

Read More
 

Featured Resource

A National Snapshot of K-12 Competency-Based Education State Policy Across the U.S.

A National Snapshot of K-12 Competency-Based Education State Policy Across the United States

This map provides a national snapshot of state policies across the United States to enable and advance K-12 competency-based education systems (CBE). Every year, more states establish pilots, innovation zones, and new initiatives to create space for educational innovations. Navigate to the interactive map on our Center for Policy page to see details of each state.

Learn More

Plugged In Headlines: News About Education Transformation


Future of Education

What will education look like in 20 years? Here are 4 scenarios
World Economic Forum

We’ve built schools for a modern economy—but they overlook the challenges of our modern democracy
Brookings Brown Center Chalkboard

Innovative School Models

How The International School of Prague Inspires, Engages & Empowers Learners
Getting Smart

RISE grant adds steam to Cripple Creek-Victor School District’s shift to competency-based learning
Pikes Peak Courier

COVID-19

How Are Students Performing in the Wake of COVID-19?
Research Minutes Educational Research and Policy Podcast

A year into COVID-19, school leaders are still adapting as uncertainty persists
K-12 Dive

Can Schools Really Reopen in 100 Days? How Staffing Could Hobble Biden’s Plan
Education Week

The Education Exchange: More School Districts Moving to Remote-Only, Study Finds
Education Next

A Short Guide to Practicing Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Family Engagement During Remote Learning
NYU Metro Center

How Much Real Learning Time Are Students Losing During the Pandemic?
Education Week

In-Person or Remote Learning: How the Biggest City School Districts Are Operating
Education Week

Education Policy

How Systems And States Can Encourage More And Better Project-Based Learning
Forbes

FCC Takes One Step Closer to Offering E-Rate Funds for Remote Learning Technology
Education Week

Why Federal Agencies With a Hand in K-12 Must Work Together
Education Week

Education Pick Miguel Cardona’s Message To Lawmakers: ‘En La Unión Está La Fuerza’
NPR

Why Internet Access Is a Human Right – and What We Can Do about It
UVA Today

Educational Equity

When students research the inequality in their own schools
The Hechinger Report

2020 Annual Report to Congress on the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
U.S. Department of Education

Educator Workforce

To retain more Black teachers, new Colorado higher ed program supplements their salary up to $20K
The Denver Post

An Institute for the Future: Preparing Nevada’s Teachers for Next Practices
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Empowering Teachers as Learning Engineers (Without Adding More Work)
EdSurge

Force of Habit: New Study Finds that Routines Could Be Blocking Teacher Improvement
The 74

Teaching Innovation: New School Staffing Strategies Inspired by the Pandemic
FutureEd

Strategies for Retaining Teachers of Color and Making Schools More Equitable
KQED

Aurora Institute in the News

Aurora Institute shares 7 steps for engaging remote students – via District Administration magazine

The authors of new guidance from the Aurora Institute have two words for school district leaders as they focus on remote students in 2021: “Mere Engagement.”

Although much of the focus in reopening schools this January has centered on providing safe environments and assurances that technology be in the hands of students – both must-haves – the Institute says there has been a notable lack of attention paid to what can keep kids from falling behind: Those two words above.

Join Our Community
Our Center for Policy leads the multi-stage evolution of policy necessary for the growth of effective student-centered learning models toward the goals of high-quality learning and equity. Our policy priorities are designed to ensure the nation’s education system is fit for purpose and help move states forward from their current state of education to future systems.
CompetencyWorks
CompetencyWorks is an online resource dedicated to K-12 competency-based education. Drawing on lessons learned by innovators, we share knowledge through a practice-focused blog, research reports on emerging issues, policy advocacy, and resources curated from across the field.
The Aurora Institute hosts a resource library containing more than 200 materials. Working collaboratively with diverse experts in the field, the Aurora Institute produces reports, books, policy briefs, blog posts, webinars, and related resources on key topics and tough issues that equip and empower educators and leaders to catalyze and scale personalized, next-generation learning models.
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Aurora Institute

The mission of Aurora Institute is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all.

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