Teachers Praise Summit Learning
Personalized learning model engages students and helps teachers differentiate instruction
REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Dec. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ – Teachers across the country are speaking out about their experiences with Summit Learning, an innovative personalized learning model developed at a high-performing network of public schools in California that is now being adopted by schools nationwide.
Summit partners with 380 schools in 38 states and Washington, D.C. – a twentyfold increase since the program began partnering with schools three years ago. The program's growth has been accelerated primarily through teacher word-of-mouth.
This fall, teachers have written about how Summit Learning strengthens relationships, empowers students to take ownership of their learning, and fosters skills and habits critical to success in school and life.
"At Knowledge Academies, we are able to tailor instruction to reach every student like never before. At any point in my class, I can see where a student is struggling. The same goes for noticing when a student is speeding through the work. In this way, Summit enables me to provide every child in my class with personalized learning."
—Madison Miller, Knowledge Academy High School, Antioch, Tennessee
https://www.tennessean.com/story/opinion/2018/11/16/educators-view-why-we-must-tailor-learning-each-student-opinion/2030790002/
"Personalized learning isn't about making school easier or harder. It's about providing the right challenges to students so they can learn and grow. I saw that the new approach allowed teachers to provide more support and feedback to students who were struggling — and more flexibility to students ready to move forward.
Instead of being branded as low-performing, students had opportunities to learn from their mistakes and develop the mindset that with effort, they can improve."
—Trisha Snow, Leona Marshall Libby Middle School, West Richland, Washington
https://www.tri-cityherald.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/article221800860.html
"That year was the first time in my career that I had so much dialogue in a classroom. My students were constantly collaborating and asking questions. In a typical stand-and-deliver classroom, I would be teaching one lesson to 28 students. With personalized learning, I was able to engage 28 different students on different topics, meeting them where they were. Not only that, differentiating the curriculum for each student meant that I was getting to know each of them deeply (educationally and personally). That led to much stronger relationships and deeper comprehension."
—Michael Parrillo, DelSesto Middle School, Providence, Rhode Island
http://www.providencejournal.com/opinion/20181111/my-turn--michael-parrillo-personalized-learning-reaches-students
"Aside from the mentoring students receive from me, I've also seen them really thrive in their peer groups. In particular, the camaraderie developed in each group has led to a heightened sense of belonging. I've seen that have an impact on student attendance - with improvements during the winter months when the weather used to be an excuse not to come in. Now they're making their way to school.
Mentoring has improved not only student attendance but their grade point averages and overall perception of school. Students write teacher notes on #ThankfulThursday to show their appreciation for them as a mentor, or give them a shout-out for something that they had done. Such rapport is essential to student success both in- and-out of the classroom."
—Kelsey Tackett, South Floyd Elementary School, Floyd County, Kentucky
http://www.floydct.com/opinion/guest-editorial-educators-have-a-tough-job/article_4de90e5a-bc0a-11e8-a953-830e4d68daad.html
While schools can adapt Summit Learning to meet their needs, each Summit Learning classroom is centered around three core components:
- Mentoring, including one-on-one meetings to discuss goals.
- Projects in which students apply their knowledge, skills and habits to real-world scenarios.
- Self-directed learning in which students set individual goals and a plan for reaching them.
Satisfaction with the Program from parents, students and teachers prompted Summit Learning's significant growth. More than 85 percent of partner schools remain in the Program year-on-year, and more than 60 percent of schools expand the Program within their school.
In addition to offering a comprehensive curriculum for grades four through 12 that includes almost 200 real-world projects, the Summit Learning Program provides professional development and ongoing coaching and support to schools - at no cost.
About Summit Learning
Summit Learning is the foundation of Summit Public Schools' 15 years of success and is based on collaborations with nationally acclaimed learning scientists, researchers and academics. Summit students are able to articulate what they are learning, why they are learning and how they learn best. They can advocate for themselves, know their passions and interests and have a long-term goal and plan rooted in these passions and interests. To learn more about Summit Learning visit www.summitlearning.org.
Contact: [email protected]
SOURCE Summit Learning Program
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