Education must help students find their unique contribution to a more thriving and just 21st-century world—and develop the knowledge, skills, and mindsets they will need to do so.

To that end, we propose a new theory of change:

1

Learning must be student-centered

This purpose cannot be met with the one-size-fits-all, industrial-era designs common today. Rather, learning must be personalized to each student’s unique assets, interests, identities, and needs—and designed with students’ voices at the table.

A graphic of people ideating and creating.

And so,

A graphic of individuals sitting around a table collaborating

Schools must be places of agency and shared power

Student-centered learning does not thrive in rigid, hierarchical schools. Rather, decisions must be made closer to students—by educator teams collaboratively designing and running schools, and sharing power with students and families.

2

Therefore,

3

Policy must catalyze organic, community-led change.

Student-centered learning and shared power schools do not emerge from mandates and top-down reforms. Rather, policy must clear barriers, provide encouragement, and ensure autonomy and space for school communities.

In this space, bold innovators redesign learning and teaching. They prove that positive change is possible, then the system changes organically over time, as others refine, replicate, adopt, and adapt their innovations.

A graphic showing exchange of ideas between a political capitol building, homes, and schools

From Theory to Action: Our Strategic Levers

We work to make these “must” statements a reality using three strategic levers:

Lever 1: Thought Leadership

Shifting Hearts and Minds to Spark Change

We contribute ideas, stories, research, and analysis to inspire and equip change-making educators and policymakers, through publications, events, and media outreach.

Lever 2: Policy Advocacy

Shifting Rules and Structure to Catalyze Change

We advance state and district policies that shift power to school communities, enable and encourage innovators, and create the conditions to scale equitable, student-centered learning.

Lever 3: Educator Support

Shifting Practice to Prove Change is Possible

We connect and support a core group of schools and educators practicing student-centered learning and shared power through convenings, resources, and direct support.