Summary

In this episode of the School Builders Podcast, host Andreas Marinopoulos speaks with Chad Carlson, CEO of Idea 51 and a leader in innovative education. They discuss the unique student-led learning model at One Stone, the challenges and strategies of school transformation, and the importance of real-world connections in education. The conversation also delves into assessment models, the significance of trust in learning environments, and the collaborative efforts to support other schools in their educational journeys.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the School Builders Podcast

04:47 The Evolution of One Stone School

04:56 Core Pillars of One Stone's Educational Model

12:28 Scaffolding and Student Agency in Learning

16:59 The Growth Transcript and Assessment Model

24:28 Empowering Student Learning Through Dynamic Assessment

28:26 Relevance in Education: Connecting Learning to Real Life

34:29 Experiential Learning: The Role of Real-World Contexts

41:36 Leading Change: Observing and Understanding School Culture

47:49 Continuous Improvement: The Journey of Personalized Learning

Key Quotes from Chad Carlson:

• "You can’t design student-led for students. They have to be part of it, or else it’s not truly student-led."
• "We believe in failing forward—students need the space to make mistakes without penalty, so they can learn, iterate, and grow."
• "The real world is our classroom. When you’re tackling real-world problems, all the key learning elements are naturally there."
• "We’re process-driven, not content-driven. Our students learn through inquiry and real-world problem-solving, not through memorizing a textbook."

Links:

• One Stone Lab School
• Idea 51