Partnerships: It takes two to make a thing go right
What's the Story? The Vermont Young People Social Action Team (WTS) is an extended learning provider for middle and high school students in Vermont. Over the last four years, WTS has worked with 15 high schools to credential this out-of-school learning within those schools' structures in order to meet local graduation standards.
The following documents, in addition to personal relationships, have been instrumental to build mutual understanding and collaborations between WTS and high schools. We've provided the documents here as an example of what this conversation often references. These are things that other ELPs might generate and share with schools, and what schools might ask ELPs for in order to consider how to credential learning.
Narrative Description: While learning targets or articulation of micro-credentials makes the learning goals clear, we've found that people have an intrinsic desire to know a story. This narrative description helps to do that and contextualize the learning
Learning Targets & Scales: At the core of micro-credentialing and crediting is clarifying learning goals. Additionally, we think that our ultimate goal with learners (or badge they might earn) is that they become informed, strategic, and empathic change agents. This mini slide deck tries to connect that goal with these targets and indicators.
Credit Agreement Form (section four): We give schools a clear suggestion of what we believe this learning is worth in the language they use and demonstrate and openness to meet locally defined proficiencies. And, we put students at the center of having a proactive conversation with their schools and commit to a plan using the linked form.
Evidence of Learning: After our first year of work, showing schools evidence of student learning has always been helpful. Sometimes, that is year-end culminating work or meaning-making evidence from our learning journey as seen in student blogging, here's a link to blogs from this year.
Reporting Out: We'll share an example of what a middle and end-of-year report looks like that is centered on student self-assessment and reflection and sent out to learners, parents, and schools. Here's an example end-of-year report, shared with permission.
The following documents, in addition to personal relationships, have been instrumental to build mutual understanding and collaborations between WTS and high schools. We've provided the documents here as an example of what this conversation often references. These are things that other ELPs might generate and share with schools, and what schools might ask ELPs for in order to consider how to credential learning.
Narrative Description: While learning targets or articulation of micro-credentials makes the learning goals clear, we've found that people have an intrinsic desire to know a story. This narrative description helps to do that and contextualize the learning
Learning Targets & Scales: At the core of micro-credentialing and crediting is clarifying learning goals. Additionally, we think that our ultimate goal with learners (or badge they might earn) is that they become informed, strategic, and empathic change agents. This mini slide deck tries to connect that goal with these targets and indicators.
Credit Agreement Form (section four): We give schools a clear suggestion of what we believe this learning is worth in the language they use and demonstrate and openness to meet locally defined proficiencies. And, we put students at the center of having a proactive conversation with their schools and commit to a plan using the linked form.
Evidence of Learning: After our first year of work, showing schools evidence of student learning has always been helpful. Sometimes, that is year-end culminating work or meaning-making evidence from our learning journey as seen in student blogging, here's a link to blogs from this year.
Reporting Out: We'll share an example of what a middle and end-of-year report looks like that is centered on student self-assessment and reflection and sent out to learners, parents, and schools. Here's an example end-of-year report, shared with permission.