Together we go deeper

Our product team has deep instructional roots, and as seasoned educators we believe that no technology can substitute for the human capacity and leadership required to bring a district’s deeper learning ambitions to scale. Our partners support the strategic planning, convene communities of practice and lead the kind of professional development work that we believe offers a perfect complement to Backpack for Google Drive.

With over 200 innovative school district members, and backed by the powerhouse national school improvement non-profit Battelle for Kids, EdLeader21 is the premier network for educators implementing competencies like the 4Cs (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) into their systems.   When we discovered that multiple Backpack for Google Drive pilot adopter districts across a wide range of US states — San Francisco Unified (CA), Jefferson County (KY), Henderson County (KY), Marion County (KY), Frederick County (VA), Aptakisic-Tripp (IL), and Croton Harmon (NY) — have all independently engaged in their own flavor of the EdLeader21 Portrait of a Graduate district-wide transformation strategy, we realized that this powerful community of practice provides Superintendents and Chief Academic Officers a vital stakeholder engagement and planning toolkit for driving the scaled adoption 21st-century instructional models.  This is precisely the kind of local-community-driven instructional and assessment systems transformation work that Backpack for Google Drive was built to amplify in districts of any size.

In the 2019-2020 school year, Backpack for Google Drive supported the EdLeader21’s work as a platinum sponsor at their Annual Event in Houston, from October 2-4, where the Amplified IT team co-presenting with Dr. Carmen Coleman, Chief Academic Officer of the Jefferson County Public Schools, on their journey as our design partner and vanguard Backpack adopter to where they are now:  doing the work of engaging with student artifacts and performance assessment to take deeper learning to scale in a district of 101,000 students.  The EdLeader21 partnership also includes the opportunity for our team to engage in mutual learning and get feedback from EdLeader21 consultants in our shared districts, to conduct a focus group with their membership, and to build relationships with new districts whose strategic vision aligns with the value that Backpack offers.

Envision Learning Partners empowers school and district leaders to build a supportive culture of learning by designing systems of performance assessment that encourage students and teachers to learn and grow together. They believe this approach leads to greater equity in education—making sure every student has real choices and power over their own future.

Envision Learning Partners was created in 2010 to bring Envision Schools’ unique and effective approach to transforming student learning to schools and districts across the country. As Envision Education’s consulting and training division, Envision Learning Partners works with a broad range of district and charter schools to increase the number of students that are truly prepared for success in college, career and life.  With their recent merger with the Stanford Center for Assessment, Learning and Equity (SCALE), Envision helps districts design and implement rigorous, reliable systems for evaluating learning and providing actionable feedback that meet the unique needs of each student.

Envision Learning Partners offers training that makes it possible to change schools’ practices and results, and they partner closely with school and district leaders to transform the culture and school systems that support a higher level of college and career readiness.  They do this by working with school leaders to transform their cultures and practices to support a higher level of student learning that goes beyond the basics to the kinds of Deeper Learning skills that will equip them to earn college degrees, support families, contribute to their communities, and compete in the global economy. Envision’s work impacts more than 1,000+ educators in 50+ school networks, reaching more than 200,000 students.

We’re excited by the opportunity the partnership with Envision offers us as we build new district relationships, collaborate around the success of our shared Backpack for Google Drive customers — such as Jefferson County — and learn from Envision Learning’s deep expertise into ensuring the Backpack for Google drive supports a valid model for student performance assessment.

Amplified IT affirms our commitment to improving the education of children everywhere, with  Partnership for 21st Century Learning (P21), a network of Battelle for Kids.

P21 is a network of businesses, organizations, and associations advocating and working to advance the mission of realizing the power and promise of 21st century learning for every child—in early learning, in school, and beyond school.

As the pioneers in this movement, champions of the 4Cs (Critical Thinking, Communication, Collaboration, and Creativity), and creators of the Framework for 21st Century Learning, P21 is the premier organization ensuring every child—without exception—experiences 21st century learning.

Through our partnership with P21, Amplified IT fosters the advancement of 21st century learning in six strategic areas: Research & Thought Leadership; Visioning & Strategy; Conferences & Events; Learning & Assessments; Human Capital; and Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.

“The members of P21 have been and will continue to play a key role in helping ensure that our children—all our children—develop a lifelong love of learning and are prepared to thrive in our ever-changing global workplace,” explained Karen Garza, President and CEO of Battelle for Kids.

Since 2013, P21 and its members have annually designated 21st Century Learning Exemplars based upon the exceptional implementation of the Framework for 21st Century Learning. This year’s cohort of 18 early learning centers, schools, and school districts were celebrated in Washington, D.C., on April 30, 2019.

If your district participates in another community of deeper learning or competency-based learning practice, or works with a partner organization whose strengths would complement Backpack for Google Drive, please have them reach out to us at info@amplifiedit.com