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Designing school for student needs over adult preferences.
Designing school for student needs over adult preferences.
Definition
Definition
Schools are centered around student learning, student needs, and student success. Solutions are developed and decisions are made based on what is best for students.
What does this mean?
What does this mean?
- “What is best for students” is often a question that is asked or a saying that is commonly heard.
What does it look like?
What does it look like?
- Student input is solicited for major decisions and/or there are structures in place (student advisory committees, for example) that solicit student input on how the school is run, curriculum and instruction, etc.
- Time and space are structured around student needs, for example: the physical space, bell schedule and calendar.
What does it not look like?
What does it not look like?
- Maintaining traditional structures that place students regardless of their individual needs, interests, abilities.
- Designing schedules or assigning teachers based on adult needs (eg. least experienced teachers in EL classrooms)
Example School Models
Example School Models
Boston, MA | Alternative District School
Competency (mastery) based model for older students or students who have not seen success in traditional schools. Students take courses in 11 week modules, based on demonstrated skills (not age or grades).
Represents “Students at the Center” as students are only taking the courses they need to graduate, and only completing work they have not yet mastered. Some courses are self-paced.
Pittsfield, NH | Small District
Competency based model which offers multiple pathways for earning credit, including courses offered at the school, opportunities outside of the school called “Extended Learning Activities,” and online courses. Learners are shared stakeholders in decision-making through various school councils. Involved entire community in redesign and put structures in place to continue the partnership.
This represents “Students at the Center” because learning is based around student need (not age or grade level) and students are involved in design and decision making.
Guiding Questions
Guiding Questions
- How are schools implementing this design principle already?
- How does this design principle align with our school's problem statement?
- How does this design principle support the school model we are designing?
- How does this design principle address the needs of our community?
- What are the key aspects of this design principle?
- What would this design principle look like in our context?
Resources
Resources
Filter by Design Principle: Students at the Center
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