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Learning the Jeffco Learning Model

Learning the Jeffco Deeper Learning Model
Posted on 09/19/2019
Dr. Jason Glass, Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent and Chief LearnerDear Jeffco Families & Community,

Since the release of our district vision document, Jeffco Generations, in the fall of 2017 we have worked to reimagine what school could be and to consider experiences for students that are more aligned to the kind of complex work students have to do when they leave our schools.

In Jeffco, we are intent on providing rich and authentic learning experiences for all students built on the foundation of “student task” - or what teachers create for students to do in the classroom. We want our students to have the opportunity to develop skills and abilities such as collaboration, adaptation to changing conditions, communications, creative problem solving, and civic and global engagement. We have provided tools and supports for our teachers and staff to develop student tasks with these objectives as a priority.

Forces such as automation, globalization, and easy access to data and information have brought dramatic changes to our world and these changes are only accelerating. Business leaders and common sense tell us that the experiences our students have in school must change if we want our students to be fully prepared for their future. 

Still, factual information and deep content knowledge remains as important as ever. Students have a lot to learn about the world and need a foundation of basic tools to navigate their futures successfully.

State assessments in Colorado rely heavily on whether or not students know and can use content knowledge. The Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS) tests are aligned with grade-level academic standards, establishing expectations for students at different levels.

In Jeffco, we believe students need it all - both an experience-based education where they learn and practice important skills for their future AND a strong base of factual content knowledge. 

Toward that end, we are introducing an expanded level of instructional supports and resources for our schools that we call the Jeffco Deeper Learning Model. The model includes four parts: Plan (the design of authentic tasks and experiences and the alignment of those with state content standards), Teach (the delivery of those tasks as learning experiences for students), Assess (formative measures of how students are doing toward mastering both skills and content), and Reflect (intentional time and space for teachers and students to consider their strength and growth areas).

Jeffco Learning Model graphicThe Jeffco Deeper Learning Model (Plan, Teach, Assess, Reflect) may look different in implementation within individual buildings and that’s by design. The Jeffco Deeper Learning Model represents good instruction and a quality improvement cycle that can be held up for any kind of school. It represents good professional practice when it comes to teaching and learning.

We believe that teaching and learning have to profoundly change (and continue to evolve) as the world we are preparing our children for continues to change. And, we believe all students should be able to work against a challenging set of academic expectations and be supported in reaching those standards. At its core, the Jeffco Deeper Learning Model was formulated and will continue to evolve with these objectives in mind.

Thank you for supporting our schools!

Sincerely, 
Dr. Jason Glass
Superintendent and Chief Learner
Jeffco Public Schools

Jeffco students, parents, families, staff, and community members may engage with Dr. Glass via Facebook, Twitter @COJasonGlass, and through his blog, advancejeffco.blog.

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