The mission of public education has changed.

It’s our responsibility to ensure that all students are prepared for success in the world that lies beyond our doors –– in college, in careers, and in life. We are being challenged to transform our schools so they give students not only the basics, but also the kinds of 21st century skills that will equip them to support families, contribute to their communities, and compete in the global economy. In order to help our students rise to those expectations, and prepare them for the forthcoming Common Core standards and assessments, we will need to transform the way we measure their progress in K-12 –– and revolutionize the way we teach them. We need to engage students now, so they can become lifelong learners.

Let’s rise to the challenge.

Envision Schools has developed a unique system of student assessment that ensures students are truly prepared for college and career success. Students assemble a portfolio of their best work, which they must “defend” in front of an audience of educators, peers and community members, demonstrating both their subject-matter mastery and their ability to communicate, collaborate, and think critically. Students graduate only if they can show and apply what they know, ensuring they are well-prepared to succeed in college.

Results.

More than 60% of Envision students are low-income, and many arrive at Envision performing below grade level, disaffected, uninterested in school, and frustrated by teaching that feels irrelevant to their lives and future prospects. They leave as engaged, active, hands-on learners, enthusiastic about the world around them and capable of navigating college and career successfully. More than 90% of Envision’s graduates go on to college (compared with roughly 50% of students statewide in California), many of them to competitive four-year schools –– and, more importantly, nearly all persist beyond that challenging first year and are continuing to work toward earning their degrees.

Our teachers also tell us their practice transforms them. By igniting students’ passion for learning and making learning concrete and applicable in the world beyond high school, teachers are re-connected with their own motivation for becoming teachers in the first place: to empower students to understand and navigate the world around them

Working with us.

Envision Learning Partners (ELP) (formerly The Center for College & Career Success at Envision Schools) was created to bring this assessment approach to other schools and districts. In addition to working with schools to revitalize their assessment practices, including a technology platform to manage student portfolios and teacher grading, we also coach teachers and principals on creating an active, college-preparatory learning culture and revamping their instruction to ensure students are truly ready for their graduation defenses –– and for life beyond graduation.

ELP works with a broad range of schools, districts and charter school organizations to increase the number of students nationwide that are prepared for true success in college, career and life. We do this by partnering closely with school leaders to transform their culture and practices to support a higher level of student learning.

We know that school transformation isn’t an overnight process however, so we collaborate with schools over a minimum of one school year to provide:

  • Summer training institute on teaching, learning and assessment practices for all teachers and leaders
  • Regular professional development throughout the school year for teachers and leaders to learn how to scaffold curriculum and instruction to the assessment, structure ongoing professional development, and create a culture of revision to support student learning
  • Practical tools and technology that make it more manageable to adjust instruction and assessment
  • Ongoing support to help schools make the shift to teaching and measuring 21st century skills

Get Started!

Learn more by contacting Erika Nielsen Andrew, Director of Envision Learning Partners, at (510) 451-2415.