Institute for Learning
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| Public-Private Partnership Uses Award-Winning Reform Strategies to Create Effort-Based Schools |
Thanks to the generous support of the Doug and Maria DeVos Foundation, the Grand Rapids Public Schools is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh’s the Institute for Learning (IFL) on a three year process to establish effort-based schools where every child in every classroom has access to rigorous and coherent educational learning experiences.
This venture will engage district educators at all levels in learning new ways to work, and to work together in nested learning communities, with the goal of creating high levels of student achievement. |
Theory of Action for Systemic Improvement – Principles of Learning: |
The theory of action for systemic improvement that drive the core IFL work is founded on a set of principles determined to be characteristic of high performing school districts. The Principles of Learning are:
1. Effort creates ability
2. Focus on classroom instruction at all levels
3. Coherent standards, curriculum, assessments, and professional development
4. Nested learning communities with two-way accountability
5. Continuing professional development
6. Use of data in making decisions at all levels
7. Engagement with parents and community
Primary Goals:
The IFL will work with the district to accomplish two primary goals:
1. Implement a culture of effort-based education – a culture in which all teachers and administrators recognize that students can get smarter by working at the right tasks with the right support and that virtually every student can learn to high standards; and
2. Develop a coherent system of professional development that gives the district the tools to recognize, implement, and assess good instruction for all students. |
About Institute for Learning: |
The Institute for Learning (IFL) www.instituteforlearning.org is part of the Learning Research and Development Center at the University of Pittsburg. It was founded 12 years ago to take instructional reform to scale by helping urban school districts become learning organizations – that is, organizations that create new capacity for the high levels of intellectual performance demanded of both educators and students in high-performance districts. Other IFL member districts include:
- Austin Independent
- Baltimore
- Dallas Independent
- Forth Worth Independent
- Minneapolis
- Oakland
- Pittsburgh
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Learn More, Get Involved |
| The following articles are being used to facilitate the discussion of what constitutes effort-based education. Parents, teachers, staff, and community members are welcome and encouraged to engage in this process. If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact John Helmholdt at 819-3740 or email at
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