Innovations and Improvements

A critical challenge facing American educators is how to improve the quality of schools, particularly those in high-poverty districts, and ensure that all students have an opportunity for academic success. This section shows the best practices, resources, and research.

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Male student holding a molecular model
Male teacher sitting cross-legged with students on floor

Stories from the Field

California Middle School Highlights Digital Learning for Student Success

This 1:1 school developed a hands-on learning model by building trust with students and the community, and powerful partnerships for student success. An inspiring turnaround story, RMMS has been a featured Digital Learning Day school, awarded grants from I3, Digital Promise, and Digital Innovation in Learning. School Profile 850 students...
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School District Focuses on Aligning Transitions from PreK to Postsecondary

You are a high school senior, living in poverty with a dream to go to college. You want it so badly that you can taste it. You are nervous about filling out your college applications because you don’t even know where to start. You feel paralyzed, questioning whether you did...
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LFA Updates

Six Lessons from the Elements of Success

In 2018, LFA worked with the American Federation of Teachers' Share My Lesson resource to show educators how to apply the Elements of Success in their classrooms

The Learning First Alliance, which collectively represents 10 million educators, parents and school board members through our 12 member associations, unveiled its groundbreaking “ Elements of Success: 10 Million Speak on Schools that Work ” in January 2018. The report was designed as a compendium of best practices for schools...
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Middle School Students and the 4Cs—A Recipe for Success

Ways to help students survive and thrive in the middle school years may lie in the 4 C’s: collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity

The middle school years can be among the toughest for teachers, administrators, and students themselves. In my work across the country helping school systems create professional learning opportunities that help transform teaching and learning, I’ve had the opportunity to see innovative school districts create support systems that are improving the...
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Member Resources

Great Public Schools Criteria

The National Education Association (NEA) is committed to achieving great public schools for every student. Great public schools close achievement gaps, prepare all students for the future with 21st century skills, and create enthusiasm for lifelong learning. To help schools move towards these goals, they created the Great Public Schools...
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The Innovation Exchange

Discover, collaborate and solve new challenges in education. The American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Innovation Exchange supports university-based educator preparation programs in responding to the changing demands of the workforce and in preparing educators to meet the needs of PK-12 learners. It is a content-rich resource that...
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