Teacher Demand For Summit Learning Model Surges

REDWOOD CITY, Calif., Nov. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- The Summit Learning Program is partnering with 380 schools in 39 states and Washington, D.C. --a twentyfold increase since the program began partnering with schools three years ago.

The innovative personalized learning model was developed at a high-performing network of public schools in California before it was adopted by schools nationwide. The program's growth has been accelerated primarily through teacher word-of-mouth.

"Too often, teachers are told to meet the need of every student in their classroom with a single textbook or curriculum," said Diane Tavenner, Summit Public Schools co-founder and chief executive officer. "The reality is that each student needs something different and teachers are tasked with making sure each student is learning. Summit Learning gives teachers the structure and resources to reach every student, and teachers become part of a community of practice with other educators nationwide."

While schools can adapt Summit Learning to meet their needs, each Summit Learning classroom is centered around three core components:

• Mentoring, including one-on-one meetings to discuss goals.
• Projects in which students apply their acquired knowledge, skills and habits to real-world scenarios.
• Self-directed learning in which students set individual goals and a plan for reaching them.

Satisfaction with the Program from parents, students and teachers prompted Summit Learning's significant growth. Over 85 percent of partner schools remain in the Program year-on-year, and more than 60 percent of schools expand the Program within their school.

In 2015, Texas' Pasadena Independent School District (PISD) piloted Summit Learning with a small group of 250 students. In two years, PISD seventh-grade students who were farthest behind made an average 20 percent gain in reading and an average 17 percent gain in math on annual state assessments. This year, PISD increased the number of students using Summit Learning to 6,500.

Many schools choose to implement Summit Learning to increase students' engagement with learning. Teachers report that students develop skills such as decision-making, goal-setting and the ability to influence others.

The leadership at Handley Middle School in rural Roanoke, Ala. was drawn to the mentoring component of Summit Learning to address challenges with student behavior in their sixth-grade class. After one year, there was a 63 percent decrease in discipline referrals with this group of students compared to the previous school year.

Parents across the country have also reported positive changes regarding their children's increased sense of purpose and motivation.

"When we began middle school, my son struggled with motivation in the classroom," said Linda Courtney, parent of a student at Royal Springs Middle School in Georgetown, Ky. "Using the Summit framework, his mentor helped him set goals and find meaning in his learning that has transformed his relationship to school. Two years into the program, I could not be more thrilled with the progress he has made."

In addition to offering a comprehensive curriculum for grades four through 12 that includes almost 200 real-world projects, the Summit Learning Program provides professional development and ongoing coaching and support to schools - at no cost.  

About Summit Learning
Summit Learning is the foundation of Summit Public Schools' 15 years of success and is based on collaborations with nationally acclaimed learning scientists, researchers and academics. Summit students are able to articulate what they are learning, why they are learning and how they learn best. They can advocate for themselves, know their passions and interests and have a long-term goal and plan rooted in these passions and interests. To learn more about Summit Learning visit www.summitlearning.org.

SOURCE Summit Learning Program

Related Links

http://www.summitlearning.org