Student-Centered Learning
Personalized Learning
Why Personalized Learning Works in Some Schools, But Not in Others. What Test Scores Say
Educators worry that changing up instruction to better fit students' interests could jeopardize their school's progress on state tests.
Executive Skills & Strategy
'Genius Hour' Lets Kids Take Charge: Would Einstein Have Liked This?
Teachers open doors for students to fuel their curiosity and pursue passion projects, but educators warn against making it a free-for-all.
Teaching
Video
How One Principal Transformed His School With Student-Centered Learning
When Principal Hamish Brewer came to Fred M. Lynn Middle School in 2017, the school was considered one of the most challenged in Prince William County, Va. The school had lost its accreditation. Forty percent of students at the school are English-language learners and 87 percent are low-income. But through a series of changes—both philosophical and practical—Brewer and his team are turning the school around. With a laser-focus on the needs of students—including how the school looks and feels—the school has earned back its accreditation in just over a year and a half.
Special Report
What Student-Centered Schools Look Like
What does it take to assure that a school serves the student—rather than the other way around—in everything from engagement and security to clean air and the lunch schedule? This special report takes an in-depth look.
Student Well-Being
How Schools Can Make Advisories Meaningful for Students and Teachers
Advisory periods—that common block of time in middle and high school schedules intended to strengthen relationships in schools—often feel burdensome to teachers and useless to students. But some schools are finding ways to make advisories matter.
Teaching
A Student Advises His Teachers on How to Improve
Zion Freeman saw positive changes in his history class after a conversation with his teacher on how to make the lessons more engaging and collaborative.
Teaching
New 6th Grader Finds Friends, Support in Advisory Group
Lila Berg was starting middle school in a new town, making the often rocky transition to 6th grade potentially even more fraught.
Future of Work
Opinion
20 Signs of Progress at Singapore American School
A look at the progress seen at Singapore American School when it comes to prepping students for life and college and 20 signs of progress in talent development, care and guidance, and high impact teaching.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Five Reasons Author Visits Are More Than Just Cool
Reading a book and meeting the author is not just a cool event to shake up the regular school routine--it's a powerful learning opportunity that can affect students academically and personally.
Teaching
Opinion
Randy Ziegenfuss on Teacher Leadership and Student-Centered Learning
Tom chats with Randy Ziegenfuss about his journey as an educator, his time at Salisbury and his podcast, "Shift Your Paradigm."
Future of Work
Opinion
The Evolution of the Denver Public Schools Portfolio
Denver Public Schools is the district to watch when it comes to portfolios. Tom shares how the DPS portfolio model is the one to watch.
Teaching
Opinion
The Promise & Challenge of Student-Centered Learning
From the role of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) to policy levers each state should have, Tom takes a deep look into the promise, and challenge, of student-centered learning.
Teaching
Opinion
Listening to Kids and Designing from Scratch for Timeless Learning
After 32 years as an Albemarle County educator, Pam Moran sat down with Tom Vander Ark to reflect on her career and discuss her latest book.
Teaching
Opinion
Why We Might Consider Teaching Less This Year
We really don't need to be in the front of the room talking--pointing at a slide, rapidly firing questions at students and cold calling to make sure they are paying attention--in order to be "teaching." We know this, yet we still do it so much of the time. Just take a quick walk through the halls of your school and peek into each classroom. Where is the teacher? Who's talking?