Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities

Abstract

In 2020, Kentucky embarked on a journey to transform teaching and learning in the state through its "United We Learn" initiative. As a result of that work, Kentucky learning communities are making significant strides toward innovative deeper learning practices. In Aurora Institute's glossary, the term "deeper learning" describes "highly engaging learning experiences in which students apply skills and knowledge and build higher-order skills." The definition is open ended to allow each community to shape its own approach, informed by other examples and research. Education leaders in Kentucky involved in United We Learn simplify the concept even further, using the term "vibrant learning" and defining it as "learning that matters to students." Ultimately, the goal is for young people to become active learners, to do more than memorize and recall information. To be prepared for the demands of the future, young people must engage with a broader set of complex skills, using creativity and different communication styles. To facilitate this shift to deeper learning, a majority of Kentucky districts received support as part of a 2022 Kentucky Association of Educational Cooperatives Deeper Learning grant through the Kentucky Department of Education. The three case studies in this report -- from Metcalfe County Middle School, Woodford County Public Schools, and Beechwood Independent Schools -- aim to provide other systems in Kentucky and beyond with insights on how to make the student experience more relevant and engaging. These three sites -- two districts and one middle school -- serve as models of community-driven approaches, rather than top-down reform.