The Alliance for Excellent Education held a webinar on July 30 to discuss and seek feedback on a working draft of suggested legislation for personalized and digital learning that is currently being developed by the Alliance. This webinar highlighted the recommended legislative actions and language that have been developed so far in the working draft. Following the discussion, there was an interactive conversation among the panelists using questions submitted by participants from the around the country.

The Alliance for Excellent Education held a webinar on July 26 which built on the Alliance’s recently released report, Culture Shift: Teaching in a Learner-Centered Environment Powered by Digital Learning, and focused on what this learner-centered environment looks like and how teachers can be supported in these roles. The webinar featured video clips of Barnett Berry, founder and president of the Center for Teaching Quality, with expanded live discussion from Patrick Ledesma of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and Ken Halla, social studies teacher and department chair at Hayfield Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia. Panelists also addressed questions submitted by viewers from across the country.

The Alliance held a webinar on July 19 featuring members of its federal advocacy team who presented updates on various developments in federal policy and their implications for states. The webinar provided a high school perspective as it relates to the aforementioned polices; however, panelists have a variety of expertise and answered questions from the audience related to other secondary school practices.

The Alliance and CIS held a webinar on June 27 on a comprehensive economic study of the positive impact of CIS on reducing dropout rates and increasing high school graduation rates. CIS President Dan Cardinali joined Alliance President Bob Wise to discuss the findings from CIS’s return-on-investment study, conducted by one of the nation’s leading economic modeling firms. The study demonstrates that CIS produces meaningful and social impacts by increasing high school graduation rates and the lifetime benefits for students, businesses, and taxpayers.The panelists discussed the benefits of locally implementing an evidence-based, dropout prevention program that has been effective across states, school settings, grade levels, and student ethnicities. Webinar panelists also addressed questions submitted by viewers across the nation.

The Alliance for Excellent Education and the K–12 Center at ETS (K–12 Center) held a webinar on June 25 to consider the potential for technology-based assessment and the challenges faced by the consortia and states. Nancy Doorey of the K–12 Center at ETS provided an overview of the assessment implications of the common core state standards. Kathleen Scalise from the University of Oregon and Sue Rigney from the U.S. Department of Education discussed the innovative possibilities for the new consortia assessments. Juan D’Brot from the West Virginia Department of Education considered the state perspective. Panelists also addressed questions submitted by viewers from across the country. Alliance Senior Fellow Robert Rothman served as moderator.

This briefing will discuss the impact of using early warning indicator systems—which identify students at high risk of dropping out as early as sixth grade—to keep students on track for graduation and accelerate successful student progress. Hear from representatives from a middle school, the research community, and congressional staff.

On May 31, 2012 the Alliance for Excellent Education hosted an event to discuss important issues surrounding the release of its newest policy brief, “Culture Shift: Teaching in a Learner-Centered Environment Powered by Digital Learning.” This brief explores the characteristics of a learner-centered approach to education and the support educators and schools require in implementing it successfully. The transition to a learner-centered education model dramatically impacts the work of educators and schools. Teachers will take on new professional responsibilities and roles in working with students and peers. While some schools and districts are making significant progress toward transitioning to a more learner-centered model, many continue to struggle to do so. Increased demands on students to ensure that they are prepared for college and a career will also impact the expectations placed on teachers.

The Alliance for Excellent Education held a webinar on May 24 featuring educators who have seen technology change the use of time in teaching. Jon Bergmann from the Joseph Sears school explained how a “flipped classroom” is making a difference for student learning. Leslie Fetzer, the 2012 SREB/iNACOL National Online Teacher of the Year, provided insight on being an online teacher and how her job has become one that keeps her busy 24/7. Participants also heard about how many afterschool programs are turning to technology to increase student engagement and outcomes, and heard about one school that is seeing unexpected results. The webinar addressed a wide range of ways that time can be examined differently and how digital tools can facilitate that process. Panelists also addressed questions submitted by viewers from across the country.

The Alliance for Excellent Education and the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) held a webinar on April 26 to discuss the role of school leaders in creating a culture of excellence that has allowed students to succeed at great levels. The MetLife Foundation–NASSP Breakthrough Schools project identifies, showcases, and recognizes middle and high schools that are high achieving or dramatically improving student achievement while serving large numbers of students most at risk of dropping out.

The Alliance for Excellent Education held an in-depth discussion on the data and research presented in a new report, Building a Grad Nation. The Alliance heard from report authors Robert Balfanz of the Everyone Graduates Center and John Bridgeland of Civic Enterprises. Alliance Vice President of Federal Advocacy Phillip Lovell offered federal recommendations and moderate the discussion. Panelists also addressed questions submitted by viewers from across the country.