Allowing Students to Sprint, with Amy McGrath

Summary

Amy McGrath, from ASU Prep, and Andreas discuss the innovative K-12 offerings at Arizona State University and the importance of building new school models. They explore ASU Prep's partnership with Khan Academy and the Khan World School. They also discuss the implementation of mastery-based learning and the balance between synchronous and asynchronous learning. Amy shares the importance of student choice and autonomy, as well as the role of learning success coaches and extracurricular activities in keeping students connected and engaged. They also touch on the rise of microschools and the potential of entrepreneur-led models. Finally, they also discuss the complexities of credit systems and the need for alternative assessments to recognize student mastery.

Takeaways

• ASU Prep offers innovative K-12 school models within the Arizona State University system, focusing on new models that parents are demanding.
• The partnership between ASU Prep and Khan Academy has resulted in the creation of the Khan World School, combining online courses, technology, and teaching pedagogy.
• The implementation of mastery-based learning presents challenges in managing students at different paces, but the use of synchronous and asynchronous learning opportunities helps address this.
• Student choice and autonomy are key in ASU Prep's models, allowing students to build their own learning journey and engage in extracurricular activities.
• Learning success coaches play a crucial role in supporting students and keeping them connected.
• Microschools and hybrid learning models require careful consideration of community context and local leadership.
• Scalable models should prioritize student support and individualized learning rather than focusing solely on scalability.
• Alternative assessments, such as projects and portfolios, can be used to recognize student mastery and provide a more comprehensive view of learning.
• Technology can play a role in creating personalized learning experiences and making learning aesthetically appealing for students.
• Supporting high-achieving students with loaded transcripts requires rethinking traditional credit systems and advocating for policy changes in higher education.