Examples of Innovative Learning to Inspire Every School

As you may have read in our weekly edition of EdTech 10 from Saturday, the leading advocacy organization for 21st century student readiness – The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), launched a new initiative last week to promote and share the learning practices that are improving student learning in the classroom, schools, and communities across America.

The online resource, “Patterns of Innovation: The 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program” was developed in partnership with our friends at the Pearson Foundation as well as other P21 members. Partners of Innovation spotlights 25 exemplar schools that have successfully transformed student learning by blending elements of the P21 Framework into their curriculum, assessments, teacher practices, as well as professional development.

P21 hopes that the Patterns of Innovation site will show policymakers and educators that it is absolutely possible for 21st century learning to become a reality in every school, for every student.

“It has been tremendously powerful to see the ways in which teachers and school leaders are using 21st century learning practices to increase student achievement and develop strong school communities,” said Dr. Helen Soulé, P21 Executive Director.

To accompany the online resource, P21 also launched the “Patterns of Innovation” podcast series available on iTunes.

For more information about this online innovation see the full press release below.

Pearson is a Getting Smart Advocacy Partner

P21 and Pearson Foundation Highlight 21st Century Learning Exemplar Schools

Educators, communities, and students featured in online Patterns of Innovation initiative

Washington, D.C.– August 7, 2013 –  The Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21), the leading organization advocating for 21st century readiness for every student, has launched a new online initiative to capture and share the 21st century learning practices that are improving schools and student learning in classrooms and communities across the United States.

Patterns of Innovation: The 21st Century Learning Exemplar Program showcases schools, educators, and students from around the country that have embraced the P21 Framework to increase educational options and outcomes for all children.

Developed with the Pearson Foundation and other P21 members, Patterns of Innovation is designed to share the experiences of schools that have successfully transformed their students’ learning by incorporating elements of the P21 Framework into teacher practice, curriculum, assessment, and professional development.

The 25 exemplars are part of a rigorous examination of schools, supported by the Pearson Foundation, to show what 21st Century Skills practice looks like in action. Selected from across the country and evaluated by P21 members and staff for educational excellence and successful 21st century learning implementation, the schools announced today represent the first installment of P21’s ongoing project to identify, document and celebrate exemplary 21st century learning across the country.

Schools such as Dana Elementary in Hendersonville, North Carolina and the Van Meter Community School District in Iowa are currently being featured along with interviews with educators and students regarding their journey and supplementary materials providing an in-depth look at 21st century learning in practice. New case studies will be shared each week through the fall, representing a wide range of instructional and school models. The P21 International Summit on 21st Century Learning will be held in Washington DC, November 18 and 19 to celebrate all of the exemplar schools.

“It has been tremendously powerful to see the ways in which teachers and school leaders are using 21st century learning practices to increase student achievement and develop strong school communities,” said Dr. Helen Soulé, P21 Executive Director. “There is so much to be learned from the ways in which these schools are succeeding and I am excited to share our findings through the Patterns of Innovation site so that educators and policymakers can see how 21st century learning can become a reality in every school.”

“While each of the Exemplar schools is unique in their approach to teaching and learning, we are already finding compelling patterns among the most successful schools, including strong school leadership, a responsiveness to local community needs, an emphasis on student voice and agency and the use of data and evidence to drive improvement,” noted Kathy Hurley, P21 board member and Executive Vice President of Education Alliances at the Pearson Foundation. “There is much to be learned, shared and celebrated and the Pearson Foundation is proud to partner with P21 on this initiative.”

An accompanying Patterns of Innovation podcast series has also launched and is available for download or subscription through iTunes.

Learn more at www.P21.org/Exemplars and #PatternsofInnovation

P21 media contact:

Tatyana Warrick ([email protected] / 202-312-6430)

Pearson Foundation media contact:

Stacey Finkel ([email protected] /703-304-1377)