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We're thrilled you're Here.
We're thrilled you're Here.
The 2021-2022 Rural Schools Design Community supported each rural community in determining their unique path forward to imagine and build transformative, equitable learning environments. This is where you'll find an overview of the journey and the resources we used to support the Rural Schools Community along the way.
In this first phase of our journey together, from August 2021 through the end of January 2022, we focused on deeply understanding each school's current learning model, the root causes of what was working as well as what was not working and for whom. At the end of this first phase, communities identified strategic areas to prioritize for their design journeys, had a compelling case for change, and a plan to engage their wider community.
In the second phase of our journey, from February 2022 through the end of June 2022, we envisioned new experiences for their learning community, tried out parts of that vision, and created a plan for ongoing innovation.
Our approach to School Design
The Outcomes We Are Striving For
Our ultimate goal is extraordinary, equitable learning for all young people. This means that all learners demonstrate success by both traditional measures and a more expanded set of outcomes.
We also believe that the experiences kids have each and every day while they’re at school are really important too. It’s not just the ends; how you get there matters! The experiences kids have every day should feel affirming and relevant; they should support the whole child, foster connection and community, and more! Learn more about the Leaps of Equitable Learning here.
Inputs to Help Us On Our Way
At Transcend, we believe there are two critical inputs towards extraordinary, equitable learning: the design of your school, and the conditions that enable that design to be successful.
The core of our work together was in strengthening those two pieces. We did that through what we call a community-driven R&D process. This video describes that process in more detail.
our Journey
In Phase 1, Rural communities focused on deeply understanding their current learning models, what was working well, what was not, and for whom. They used these learnings to prioritize what leaps they would strategically focus on for redesign, to create a compelling case for change, and to continue to engage their wider community. In the second phase of our journey we got sharper in the vision of each community's reimagined learning model, tried out parts of that vision, built stronger Conditions for Equitable Innovation and Change, and created a plan for ongoing innovation.
Gather Your People & Design Your Journey
August - September
The process began by identifying the core group of people who were primarily responsible for driving the work forward and ensuring alignment on the goals, processes, and mindsets we leveraged over the course of this journey. We also got clear on how we’ll engage the wider community in the design process.
events
Virtual Convening 1: Sept. 1st
Virtual Convening 2: Sept. 29th
Deeply Understand The Current Model
October
Albert Einstein once said, “If I had an hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 minutes thinking about solutions.” Heeding that advice, we spent this month looking deeply at their current learning model to learn more about the root causes behind what is working, what is not and for whom. We used strategies such as focus groups, interviews, a Leaps survey as well as an in person coaching visit to help us answer our learning questions. We then captured what we learned about the current model in a snapshot called a Blueprint.
events
Transcend Coach Site Visit
Prioritize focus Areas for Design Journey
November - December
Together we synthesized what we learned and analyzed how the learning model currently operated. Based on our analysis, the design team chose which Leaps to prioritize in their design journey for phase 2 and built a compelling case for change that explains why those are their priorities and why now is the time to embark on this journey. They shared this narrative with the cohort for feedback and celebrated all that they had learned.
events
In-Person Convening 3: Nov. 17-19
Virtual Convening 4: Dec. 15
Reflect, Share,
& PlaN
January
As we came to the end of phase 1, they shared what they've learned so far and enlisted more folks from the community to participate in the design journey for phase 2. The core planning team designed and facilitated their first school/district-based community meeting. This was an opportunity to share the case for change and gather additional feedback on the design journey to date. The team then reflected on phase 1 and created a plan for what’s next in phase 2.
events
Community Meeting
Reflect, Share, + Plan
January
Each team shared what they had learned with their community in a meeting to gather feedback on the design journey to date. The team then reflected on their learnings to revise their future state blueprint and update their community engagement plan for Phase 2.
Design
February
The core planning teams engaged a larger community design team to envision key experiences in their future state blueprint that are aligned to their graduate aims and prioritized leaps. From this vision, they decided on their pilot and, using the Science of Learning and Development and the R+D cycle, built out at least one pilot plan.
events
Virtual Convening 5: February 9th
Design, Pilot, + Learn
March-April
The teams then launched their piloting team(s) and pilots through the R+D cycle. The team's Transcend coach visited each school at their site to support in the piloting process. Together, we used our learnings to draft the Journey Plan for continued innovation beyond May 2022.
events
In-Person Convening 2:
Feb. 28-March 3
In Person Coach Site Visit:
April 1-April 21
Reflect, Share, + Plan
May
Each team shared what they learned, celebrated and got feedback on what would come next in their design journey.
events
Virtual Convening 6:
May 11th
Phase 1: What We built Together
Community Engagement Plan
Current State blueprint
Case For Change
Community Meeting
Phase 2: What We built Together
Future State Blueprint including key experiences
1-3 Pilot Plans + Launched Pilots
Community engagement plan + celebration
Journey plan for what’s next in 22-23
Participating communities
Belgrade Brooten Elrosa
Carlson Elementary
Casey County SD
Clarksdale Municipal SD
King Murphy Elementary
La Honda PesCadero Unified SD
McComb School District
Northern Cass School District
Spring Creek School
Tornillo ISD
Meet your partners
Design teams were matched with a partner from Transcend, a national nonprofit that accelerates innovation in school design. Partners served as an ongoing thought partner, design and facilitation support, running buddy, and connector to additional experts and resources at Transcend and beyond.
Design teams were matched with a partner from Transcend, a national nonprofit that accelerates innovation in school design. Partners served as an ongoing thought partner, design and facilitation support, running buddy, and connector to additional experts and resources at Transcend and beyond.
Thought Partner
Thought Partner
We act as a provocateur and guide to ensure your team is building the skills to transform schooling, and to strengthen the conditions for innovation.
Running Buddy
Running Buddy
Part of our role is to hold teams accountable to their goals. Much like a trusted running buddy, we’ll be sure teams follow-through on the commitments they make to themselves and to their community.
Design Partner
Design Partner
Sometimes we rolled up our sleeves to build together. Other times, we might “hold the pen,” putting the team's ideas to paper to help accelerate thinking.
Connector
Connector
We helped to identify other resources, experiences, and people who will be helpful along the journey.
Jennifer CharloT
(she/her/hers)
Taina Torres
(she/her/hers)
Jenny O'Meara
(she/her/hers)
Justin May
(he/him/his)
Jenn Perniciaro
(she/her/hers)
Gwyneth Hagan
(she/her/hers)
Convenings | Teams | Tools
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