Framingham School Invited To Participate in Massachusetts Personalized Learning Network

“The Center for Collaborative Education has invited Walsh Middle School to apply for a planning grant which would allow the Framingham middle school to explore the benefits of becoming an official partner in the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Network,” announced Walsh Middle School Principal Patrick Johnson, in an email to parents Monday.

“If Walsh is successful, the planning grant would provide $25,000 dollars to establish a Design Team representing school administrators and staff. The Design Team would spend six months reviewing options and opportunities related to the grant,“explained Johnson.

The Center for Collaborative Education organization was established in 1994 to develop and promote innovative models of schools that increase justice and opportunity for all learners.

The Center’s will launch the Massachusetts Personalized Learning Network in the spring of 2016.

The Network will emphasize positive mindset, cultural relevance, and equity in instruction, encouraging students to take ownership of their own learning, while also developing deeper, personal connections with others.

“The Center seeks to build a statewide movement of 21st century schools that serve high percentages of low-income students, that engage diverse learners, close opportunity and achievement gaps, and prepare all students for success in college, career, and life,” said Johnson in his email to parents.

The Center is committed to create, with its partners, a plan to successfully launch personalized schools in an initial 2-4 urban districts in Massachusetts. With a plan to launch even more personalized schools in the Network after the intial launch.

The Center’s timeline has design team grants to be awarded between March and August 2016.

According to the The Center approved design teams would receive a $100,000 implementation grant to be used in support of the school’s launch into the Network.

The Center’s work is framed by six personalized learning principles:

• Social & Emotional Learning & Academic Mindsets
• Engaged Learning
• Personalized Learning Pathways
• Next Generation Curriculum & Assessment
• Flexible Learning Environment
• Competency-Based Progression

The Center for Collaborative Education is one of seven regional partners in the U.S. working toward implementing personalized learning environments, and is supported by the Next Generation Learning Challenge.

“Walsh would be honored to be part of this endeavor,” concluded Patrick in his email to parents.