The Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia University worked with the BELE Network to identify bright spot organizations and school systems that are embracing equity-oriented principles with promising effect. This report details four bright spots that are effectively building equitable learning environments, including Kingmakers of Oakland, Equal Opportunity Schools, Mineola Public Schools, and…

The fourth BELE learning brief explores how an elementary school in one of CASEL’s BELE districts worked to build authentic caregiver and community partnerships throughout a year-long project to transform an existing mural. The brief explores three key conditions to sustain authentic partnerships among caregivers, community members, educators, and school leaders.

Yonkers Public Schools worked with the Bank Street Education Center to increase the number of Black and Latinx students receiving supportive, growth-oriented feedback about their learning in math. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of positive learning experiences, this case study shows their success and what they did.

Transforming the Teacher Role is a resource to help schools and districts rise to the challenges of teacher staffing shortages and a dwindling pipeline. As recent dissatisfaction and resignation trends are shedding more light on the need for change, this paper explores innovative staffing models and strategies to transform the experiences of teachers and boost…

This paper — the third entry of the BELE learning series — explores five key actions that can be taken to effectively implement student-centered data systems in creating learning environments where all young people feel seen, heard, and able to achieve. Paired with practical examples, these key actions were generated in partnership with BELE learning…

Over 5 Elevate cycles, teachers at West Buffalo Charter School partnered with their students and each other to make schoolwide improvements in multiple learning conditions. This case study reveals the steps taken and key insights from the process.

Teachers can accelerate learning by creating motivating classroom conditions. Highlighting the Elevate framework, this research brief focuses on quantifying the relationship between math achievement and the Elevate learning conditions, as well as variability in conditions over time. Key highlights include:

The Abolish the Bell Podcast Collective is a movement for reimagining education rooted in a radical legacy of organizing and resistance. The Podcast takes a hard look at the complex history of the education system — what we teach, how we teach it, and why it matters — and envisions a world beyond the system…

There is no better source for learning about a student than the child’s parent(s) or guardians. Yet teachers can go months or even the whole year without any significant interaction with the families of their students. Intentional family engagement, therefore, is a critical aspect of creating a sense of classroom belonging. It allows for a…

Peer tutoring accomplishes two critical tasks that contribute to feelings of classroom belonging. First, it empowers students by formalizing their roles as knowledge creators. Second, it builds stronger connections between students as they tackle difficult concepts together. Establishing a peer mentor/tutor system explicitly demonstrates trust in students’ mastery of material and their ability to explain…