In recent years schools have adopted the professional learning community (PLC) model where educators work in collaborative teacher teams (sometimes called CTTs) to answer four questions: 1) What do we want students to know, understand, and be able to do? 2) How will we know if they have reached those milestones? 3) What will we do if they haven't? and 4) What will we do if they have already reached them? In a learner-centered MTSS framework, learners are at the center of those questions and are part of them team that determines next steps. This requires that students--in addition to teachers--have data literacy. After all, the data are THEIRS!
In addition to the videos about learner-led conferences below, EL Education outlines how learning targets, goal setting, and tracking progress are key components of learners owning their data.
Once students own their data, they can use their self-awareness to engage in critical thinking about where they have been, where they are, where they need to be next, and how to get there. One powerful school structure to help students engage in reflection, goal setting, and complex communication is learner-led conferences. These are for learners at any level and when coupled with learner profiles, personalized learning plans, and learner portfolios, they lead to increased purpose, engagement, and empowerment for students, parents, and educators.
From EL Education on Vimeo: "Gabriella, a seventh-grade student at the Washington Heights Expeditionary Learning School (WHEELS) in New York City discusses her academic progress with her father at her student-led family conference. Learning targets, derived from Common Core standards, anchor Gabriella’s reflections on her progress.
This video accompanies the book Leaders of Their Own Learning: Transforming Schools through Student-Engaged Assessment."
From EL Education on Vimeo: "Kindergartner, Trinity, shares her academic progress, supported by evidence from her portfolio, with her parents and teacher, Jennifer Rocker, at Delaware Ridge Elementary School in Kansas City, KS.
This video accompanies the book Leaders of Their Own Learning: Transforming Schools through Student-Engaged Assessment."