Promoting Deeper Learning through Equity, Diversity, and Personalized Learning (Oakland, CA)

Promoting Deeper Learning through Equity, Diversity, and Personalized Learning (Oakland, CA)
Promoting Deeper Learning through Equity, Diversity, and Personalized Learning (Oakland, CA)
Oakland, CA

Overview

The goal of this study tour was to learn how schools are promoting equity, diversity, and personalized learning to ensure all students have access to ‘deeper learning’ – the mastery of rigorous core academic content; critical thinking and problem solving; teamwork and collaboration; effective communication; learning how to learn; and cultivation of an academic mindset. On this tour, participants visited two high schools in Oakland, CA that are provide students with rich, student-centered curricula that incorporates personalized, project-based, and work-based learning. Through conversations with students, teachers, and administrators, as well as explorations of classrooms and internship sites, participants witnessed first-hand how to create a culture that supports traditionally underserved students, including recent immigrant, English learner, economically disadvantaged, and students of color, as they acquire deeper learning competencies. High-level state and district education policy leaders also joined the study tour to share an understanding of the policy conditions in California that support the promotion of deeper learning. The policy discussions focused on effective and scalable models, capacity building, professional development, funding, curriculum, instruction, innovative assessments, and data and reporting systems. State teams enjoyed time to reflect on necessary policy conditions as it relates to their own states, as well as learned from colleagues in other states.

 

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The American Youth Policy Forum (AYPF), a nonprofit, nonpartisan professional development organization based in Washington, DC, provides learning opportunities for policy leaders, practitioners, and researchers working on youth and education issues at the national, state, and local levels. AYPF events and publications are made possible by contributions from philanthropic foundations. For a complete list, click here.