What Matters Gets Measured: Defining and Evaluating Student Goals

Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) competencies — such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving — are crucial for student success beyond school. Schools and districts must establish, measure, and assess PoG attributes and […]

Driving Student Outcomes Through Competency-Based Learning

Learn how Lindsay Unified School District, a rural school district located in California, created and implemented a competency-based, project-based learning system with the help of Defined Learning.

Lindsay Unified School District in Central […]

A Framework for Inclusivity: Project-Based Learning for Black and Brown Communities

Project-based learning allows for personalized learning experiences for all students. This article provides a framework designed to ensure that PBL effectively addresses the unique needs of students specifically from Black and Brown communities.

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Empowering Students to Prepare for the Future Through STEM and Coding

With the growing influence of technology in both the workplace and schools, STEM and coding education are becoming increasingly more important across all grade levels. STEM and coding foster skills such as critical thinking, creativity, […]

Empowering Students with Computer Science

Considering today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, integrating computer science education in the classroom is essential to prepare students for future careers. Here are some ways for educators to incorporate computer science into […]

Why PBL is Key to Meeting Portrait of a Graduate Goals

What is a Portrait of a Graduate?

In this article, John Larmer delves into what a Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) is along with its key components. Learn about the challenges and solutions when implementing a PoG and the different ways in which schools and districts are helping […]

How PBL Builds Portrait of a Graduate Competencies Part 4: Communication, Collaboration, Citizenship

This is Part 4 of a four-part series on “Portrait of a Graduate” goals that have been set by many schools and districts. My first post argued that project-based learning is one of the most effective ways to build the student competencies commonly […]

How Competency-Based Learning Builds 21st-Century Skills

Competencies, future-ready skills, and 21st-century skills all involve students doing something. For the students, these ideas represent the “how” to do something or the skills needed to navigate a situation. For the teacher, these ideas represent […]

Building Future Ready Skills through Defined Careers

We continue to hear there is a skill deficiency for young adults coming out of high school and college. Yet, what specific skills are needed and how can learners build those skills in a meaningful way that will help them find their purpose and […]