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Explore guides, research papers, policy briefs, and tools to aid decisions on standards and assessments.
Centered on Results: Assessing the Impact of Student-Centered Learning
This Nellie Mae report provides information on a series of mixed-method, commissioned studies that evaluate the effect of a variety of student-centered practices in secondary schools. The studies help illustrate what student-centered learning can look like in a range of contexts, including high school math classrooms, STEM courses that blend online and in-person learning, and whole-school models that infuse student-centered practice throughout the curriculum. The studies look at how to ensure that all students, including those in underserved groups, get an opportunity to reach the common goal of college and career readiness.
These findings share insight relative to how student-centered practices can impact learning in secondary schools. Traditionally underserved populations demonstrated some of the most positive outcomes. The paper notes that, while the mixed methods utilized were appropriate to the “specific questions and outcomes being investigated,” the findings were not “directly comparable.” The information from the studies provide valuable insights for further discussion on student-centered learning approaches. The resource acknowledges in its conclusion the need for common definitions of practice and agreed-upon research methodologies to inform further understanding.