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Two young boys with pencils and laptops are smiling and a logo for The Learning Accelerator is in the top corner

Colleagues and friends, 


A key goal of The Learning Accelerator’s five-year strategy is helping education leaders respond to urgent challenges while also making meaningful progress towards more personalized, competency-based, and holistically developing school models for the future. Doing this requires embracing a “both/and” mindset, making choices that effectively address what can feel like competing needs and tensions. Getting to these solutions requires thinking differently about using existing resources to achieve new results.


In 2024, we launched several new initiatives aimed at one such area of tension: effectively measuring and addressing learning acceleration. Can we offer more personalized support, such as tutoring, at the very core of a kid’s school day, rather than at the margins of it? Can we effectively increase rates of reading and math mastery while also increasing other outcomes valued by students, parents, and educators, such as engagement, well-being, and (dare we say it) joy?


The answer to these questions is, undeniably, “yes.” We’ve seen it in classrooms and systems nationwide, where communities have worked with intention, commitment, and creativity to make change. We had the privilege of learning alongside nine such communities this year, and I’m excited to share two new reports our team has developed by studying them. These reports highlight how nine public schools are driving rigorous academic goals and broader student aims. They’ve set new visions and leverage innovative approaches like competency-based measurement, technology-supported instruction, and uncommon community partnerships alongside more traditional means. 


I hope you’ll find them as interesting and inspiring as we do.


Yours in partnership and curiosity, 

Beth Rabbitt, Chief Executive Officer (she/her)

Explore New Reports

Deepening Our Understanding of Quality Virtual and Hybrid Learning

A promotional cover image for a report titled "Deepening Our Understanding of High-Quality Virtual and Hybrid Learning: Initial Analysis of Six Diverse Models" by the The Learning Accelerator. The cover features a smiling person in a light blue top against a blue-tinted background.

Earlier this year, we completed a landscape scan of 64 virtual and hybrid learning environments. Our Research, Measurement, & Policy team identified six public school models that all demonstrate strong outcomes and promising evidence of learning acceleration to engage in a year-long, mixed-methods study. These sites represent rural, suburban, and urban populations, serve diverse student groups, and vary in size. 


Our latest report introduces these models and begins to unpack how and why they are positively affecting student learning. Throughout 2025, we will be sharing evidence generated through this study.


Our accompanying blog, "Opening the Black Box: The 'Why' Behind Student Outcomes," explains how our approach to this research intends to change the national narrative around virtual and hybrid learning while building a rigorous evidence base to support future innovation.

A Look at High School Transformation in Action

A report cover titled "Schools on the Move: A Look at High School Transformation in Action." The image shows two students in blue "East Boston High School" uniforms smiling while working with a teacher in a classroom. A chalkboard with tic-tac-toe games is visible in the background.

We’re thrilled to announce our recent collaboration with EdVestors, a school improvement organization that combines strategic philanthropy, education expertise, and implementation support to help schools create the conditions for school change. 


Our team studied the key school improvement strategies captured through EdVestors’ School on the Move Prize, which spotlights the most notable schoolwide improvement efforts across Boston Public Schools. Our research shows that all schools have the potential to create impactful and empowering experiences — but they first must clearly articulate a compelling, equity-connected vision for change and then coherently drive change through all practice areas. 


System leaders and decision-makers can utilize key lessons and ideas from these schools to lead innovation and change in their own settings:


  1. Focus on a shared vision and the flexibility to actualize it: A vision tailored to unique contexts and student needs fosters a sense of ownership and fuels innovation throughout the larger school community.
  2. Broaden perspectives and measurement of success: Expanding metrics ensures students’ diverse strengths and achievements are recognized while schools identify areas for improvement and demonstrate the full impact of their programs.
  3. Build ecosystems for supporting holistic practices: System leaders can bridge the gap by connecting schools to a rich landscape of resources and entities – to help schools tap into expertise and resources beyond their walls. 
  4. Invest in storytelling and networks of practice: By networking learnings, school leaders can collaborate on shared problems, speeding up the pace of critical change.


The full report highlights the power of a reimagined school vision, aligned best practices that drive tangible change, and recommendations for how to support innovation efforts in schools, systems, and neighborhoods. Read it here.

Events

Join the Virtual Researchers Roundtable

A promotional image for a "Virtual Researchers Roundtable" event titled "Next Steps and Strategy Directions for 2025". The image features headshots of four speakers arranged in a row (from left to right): Dr. Jilliam Joe from Aurora Institute; Dr. Beth Holland from The Learning Accelerator; Dr. Rebecca Wolfe from KnowledgeWorks; Rolando Fernando from KnowledgeWorks. The event details are listed at the bottom: January 30, 2025 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM EST.

Following up on a Researchers Roundtable last month focused on informing and improving research on personalized, competency-based, and deeper learning, the Aurora Institute is hosting a Virtual Researchers Roundtable focused on collaboration and collective next steps.


Moderators include: Dr. Jilliam Joe (Aurora Institute); Dr. Beth Holland (The Learning Accelerator); Dr. Rebecca Wolfe (KnowledgeWorks); and Rolando Fernando (KnowledgeWorks).


Register here for the January 30th event.

The AI Show @ASU+GSV

A logo for an event called "THE AI SHOW @ASU+GSV" with the subtitle "AI REVOLUTION". The logo features a pink hot air balloon icon and text, with blue accents. The event dates "APRIL 5-7, 2025 | SAN DIEGO" are displayed at the bottom, along with "@ASU+GSV" on the right side.

TLA is excited to be part of The AI Show @ ASU+GSV, where the AI Revolution in education is taking center stage! Join us in San Diego this April to explore how AI is transforming learning. 


Learn more about this free-to-attend event here. #ASUGSVShow2025!

Winter Team Retreat

A screenshot of a video conference call featuring 13 participants, the TLA team, in a grid layout.

The TLA team gathered (virtually) last week to celebrate what we accomplished together in 2024 and look ahead to next year.


With fun games and goal alignment sessions, our team recharged and refocused. It was a time for reflection, connection, and embracing our work with refreshed clarity and purpose. 


Looking forward to an exciting 2025 — see you in the new year!

Support Gap-Closing Impact for Students

As 2024 comes to a close, we are deeply thankful for our partners and supporters. At TLA, we are committed to transforming education to ensure every student receives an effective, engaging, and equitable education. Your support helps us build an education field where everyone learns faster and changes systems together to ensure every child reaches their unique potential.


How can your contributions help? Donations help us: 


  • Codify and share teaching and learning practices to improve outcomes for students.
  • Accelerate individual, organizational, and field-level learning and action with open resources and collective action and learning.
  • Connect communities of professional learners to drive educational innovation and excellence. 


This year, TLA: 


✨ Supported over 150 district leaders across 36 states through new networks and research partnerships

✨ Welcomed 6 new team members

✨ Delivered 25 conference presentations and webinars

✨ Collaborated with Leading Educators to launch the School Teams AI Collaborative, connecting over 80 participants from 9 cities and 19 schools across the U.S. in Denver, Colorado.


We also hit major milestones like establishing the Exponential Learning Initiative and completing a second year of the Massachusetts Ed Tech Peer Learning Cohort.


To support TLA’s mission, please consider making a donation through PayPal.

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