Big Picture Learning works with districts and school leaders to design schools that immerse students in interest-based learning experiences. These learning experiences are grounded in personalized courses of study and workplace and community learning opportunities that are supported with advisories, among other personalized structures, that strengthen relationships. To date, there are more than 120 schools in the United States who consider themselves part of the Big Picture Learning network and another 100 schools internationally, all of which share the goal of advancing equity and deeper learning in personalized and meaningful ways.
Center for Whole-Child Education (previously Turnaround for Children) works to support practitioners in advancing and implementing whole child educational practices. To this end, the organization produces research-based tools for educators, such as a toolkit on how to use a whole child vision to assess and plan for tiered systems of support and resources to accelerate healthy student development and achievement. In addition, Center for Whole-Child Education works with schools, districts, and networks across the country, which, to date, includes training, coaching, and support to over 220 school leaders in 76 schools to help create healthy learning environments that catalyze success and well-being.
Coalition for Community Schools is an alliance of national, state, and local organizations in K–12 education, youth development, community planning and development, family support, health and human services, government, and philanthropy. It offers a range of tools and resources that can help educational leaders to build and sustain community school models and initiatives in their area, including opportunities to connect with technical assistance providers that can help communities improve their planning and management.
EL Education supports academic, social and emotional, and character learning across more than 300 schools and district partners that serve more than 1 million students. Through its work across the country, EL has created a range of free and open educational resources (e.g., curricula, videos, documents, books, and student work models) that can help educators create inquiry-based learning opportunities that engage learners and build their knowledge, skills, habits, and mindsets.
Envision Learning Partners (ELP) helps educators, school leaders, and district officials build high-quality systems of performance assessment to engage students in rich and meaningful learning. ELP facilitates discussions among diverse teams to identify equity challenges and define the skills students need to succeed. ELP then works with practitioners to codesign high-quality performance assessments and build professional capacity to sustain that learning system. To date, the organization has supported work in over 100 districts and 45 schools to transform learning experiences for over 200,00 students.
High Tech High (HTH) Network, developed by a coalition of San Diego civic leaders and educators, opened High Tech High in September 2000 as a small public charter school with plans to serve approximately 450 students. HTH has evolved into an integrated network of 16 charter schools serving approximately 6,350 students in grades K–12 across four campuses. The HTH organization also includes a comprehensive adult learning environment including a Teacher Credentialing Program and the High Tech High Graduate School of Education, offering professional development opportunities serving national and international educators.
Internationals Network for Public Schools designs, develops, and supports schools and programs for recently arrived immigrants and refugees. To date, it has partnered with 12 districts to develop 28 schools that meet the needs of multilingual learners through an activity-based pedagogical model that features collaborative, inquiry-based learning. In addition to supporting school development, Internationals Network provides professional development, offering practitioners experiential learning opportunities that simulate the effective practices Internationals schools use to support multilingual learners and to share best practices.
Linked Learning Alliance is a coalition of educators, educational leaders, and community organizations that promotes the integration of college and career preparation for young people in educational systems. Specifically, it promotes the implementation of approaches that emphasize strong academics alongside access to comprehensive student supports and real-world learning opportunities that enhance students’ skills and job-related knowledge. To advance this work, the Alliance works to grow the field’s understanding of the power of Linked Learning experiences, elevates policies that can enable this pedagogical approach, and facilitates professional development that grows practitioner and community knowledge.
National Center for Community Schools (NCCS), established by Children’s Aid in 1994, seeks to transform education by partnering with schools, districts, community partners, government agencies, and other stakeholders to help start up, scale, and sustain community schools. Using a practice-based approach to technical assistance, NCCS has collaborated with hundreds of communities, nationally and internationally, to develop school partnerships that challenge and nurture students.
New Tech Network partners with school districts to support comprehensive school change centered on the implementation of interdisciplinary, project-based learning. To do this, the network engages district officials and practitioners in professional development that helps them build schools that implement project-based learning and consider how to spread this deeper learning model to other schools through a supportive policy and personnel infrastructure. To date, New Tech has worked closely with over 200 districts and schools nationwide and boasts high college persistence rates through its project-based learning approach.
Transcend works with schools and districts to provide design and implementation support as they advance fundamental change to their school models. For practitioners beginning to design or redesign schools, Transcend provides coaching, research-driven tools, and other professional supports that guide practitioners through a research and development process grounded in equity and science. For those already engaged in school design, the organization helps leaders and educators understand and strengthen the conditions for innovation and effective implementation.
XQ is a leading organization dedicated to rethinking high school and helping schools become centers of innovation and learning that prepare all students to succeed in college, career, and life. XQ's tools and products empower educators, communities, and policymakers to disrupt outdated systems by redesigning schools and transforming student learning to be more relevant and engaging. These resources include XQ Knowledge Modules, step-by-step guides for practitioners to use design thinking to spur innovative school transformation that is equitable and responsive to each school community.