Riverside USD Pilots Personalized Learning
Riverside Unified School District
(USD) in California will pilot personalized learning at five schools this fall
in an effort to move away from the one-size-fits-all approach to education.
In September 2013, the Bill &
Melinda Gates Foundation awarded the district a $100,000 NextGen Systems
grant to support the development of a system-level strategic plan for
personalized learning and in April 2014, the foundation awarded the district a
second grant of $500,000 to support the implementation of the program. The
district was one of six across the country to win a Phase II grant from the
foundation.
To assist with the implementation, Riverside USD has partnered with
Education Elements, a company that
helps districts develop and implement personalized learning strategies.
According to the company, "Education Elements' team of design and implementation
consultants has done similar work with over 100 schools across the country."
Education Elements and Riverside USD plan to work together "to refine the
vision, goals, expectations and support structure for personalized learning in
the district and help the five schools pilot their personalized learning
academic program," according to the company.
"As the only California school district chosen to participate we are excited
to pioneer a new way of learning for our students, in collaboration with their
teachers, parents and community members," said David Hansen, superintendent of
Riverside USD, in a prepared statement. "We believe this effort will help
students connect with learning so that they can achieve their individual goals."
About the Author
Leila Meyer is a technology writer based in British Columbia. She can be reached at [email protected].