Ideas In Action

Creating an Entrepreneurship-focused Micro Charter in Detroit

“Small by design” – a micro school’s small size allows school staff to deliver student-centered, customized learning.

University Prep Achieves Highest Growth in Test Scores in Colorado

Intense focus on supporting teachers with training in effective strategies helps turn-around efforts succeed.

Community Engagement Fosters Academic Results

LEARN Network schools start with a clear definition of the school community—typically that a strong school community and community partnerships can serve students more effectively. With a common understanding, it’s easier to get staff, families, and partners on board.

Language Confidence Through Dual Immersion

El Sol uses data taken from the beginning of the school year to identify student needs. They look at their native language abilities, both English and Spanish levels, and math abilities, and then determine if intervention or extra support in the classroom is needed.

Going Global

Building global perspective among low-income students by studying abroad.

Taking Care of Students’ Emotional Needs by Giving Them a Voice

Working with students to “find their voice” when it comes to dealing with conflict and pursuing non-violent solutions to problems.

Five Keys

More than 10 percent of adults over age 25 in San Francisco do not have high school diplomas. For one California charter school network, improving this statistic means changing the way it runs schools.

YES Prep and Aldine Independent School District Collaborate to Help Students Realize College Aspirations

They learn how to go through the college application process and participate in SAT and ACT prep. Straub says there aren’t any quizzes or tests in the iAspire seminar, but they do have to build a portfolio.

Maximizing Learning By Meeting Student Needs

Close to 5,000 homeless people live in Los Angeles’ Skid Row area, according to a local 2017 count. When there’s a struggle to find even the most basic human needs, like shelter and food, education can seem like a luxury.

Ideas in Action: Assessing Student Language and Special Education Needs Through Teamwork

“Poverty is not a learning disability – and neither is learning a language.”

Beyond the Buzzword: Personalized Learning Outcomes

Giving students “what they need, when they need it.” This motto and organizing principle from Cornville Regional Charter School perfectly sums up the power of personalized learning potential.

The Environment as the Classroom

Using the environment and community as an educational tool to foster academic achievement and natural leaders.

Washington Leadership Academy Cultivates Student Power and Agency Through Technology

More than 500,000 computer science jobs are currently available in every industry and every state, according to Code.org. Given this reality, WLA empowers students to lead the way in computer science to prepare them for college and careers after graduation.