the change Learning project

Over the past ten years Classroom Connections has specialized in creating innovative educational resources that improve parental support for learning; enhance instructional methods, and inspire youth to reach their full potential as informed, socially responsible and engaged citizens. We are extremely proud of the almost 20 programs being used in schools and communities across Canada today. We are also keenly aware that resources alone are not enough.

Our extensive experience within education has provided great insight into existing gaps, issues and challenges. The context for education has changed significantly over the past 200 years and so too has our understanding of brain function, human development and the process of learning. It is now apparent that many ingrained educational practices, as well as the very structures of our systems are counterproductive to real learning, the development of innovative thinking and successful transition into adulthood.

As an organization dedicated to learning and youth, Classroom Connections feels a strong responsibility not only to advocate for educational change, but to lead in taking action. And we believe that band-aid solutions and short sighted reform will never be enough. Meaningful change means re-thinking and re-creating an alternative to today's out-of-date and under-performing industrial age education model.

To that end, we are now working in concert with the acclaimed U.K.-based 21st Century Learning Initiative and with support from Canadian Council on Learning to spearhead an innovative, multi-stage initiative that will transform the way we understand and structure education in Canada. The goal of the Change Learning Project is to create and implement a redesigned educational model-one that is rooted in what we know about how children learn and develop, and one that involves parents and community, addresses the whole child and meets the needs of our 21st Century realities.

This project is a long-term initiative designed to bring together international research and best practices to synthesize what we now know about how humans learn and thrive, and then put this knowledge into concrete action. But where do you start to initiate such fundamental change in a system that is so entrenched? Our answer is to start where the need is greatest - where youth are most at risk and critical social issues are forcing communities to re-think the purpose, structure and process of education. Change Learning is looking to develop partnerships with communities ready to 'opt out' of the status quo and undertake significant and far-reaching change.

We are very excited to report that we already have confirmed partnerships with two 'lab communities'. The Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN) near The Pas, Manitoba, and the inner city community of North Central Regina. We have also confirmed participation and support from both the Saskatchewan and Manitoba Ministries of Education as well as a wide range of project partners including Lloyd Axworthy; the University of Winnipeg; the University of Manitoba Department of Education; the University College of the North; University of Saskatchewan; the Assembly of First Nations and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. Together we are setting the stage to re-envision education in this country.

Project Initiation

The Canadian Council on Learning has agreed to provide a portion of the seed money to initiate the project. The 'initiation phase' involves spending an estimated 6 months formalizing community partnerships, meeting with our network of foundations and potential sponsors, and creating formal proposals, in order to raise approximately $1M for the full development of the framework.

The 'framework phase' will last 12-18 months and will involve:

• Working with national and international teams to create a user-friendly synthesis of the current research on the brain, human development, the learning process, and community-building
• Deeper investigation of interesting/promising initiatives related to community-building, the development of social capital and education/learning/student success
• Working within each of the two communities we have identified to engage citizens and civic institutions and to develop a shared local vision for education that they will actively support
• Creating OCN and NC Community Pledges indicating what community members are prepared to do to support the realization of their shared vision for every child
• Pulling together the research, ideas, and shared vision to form a framework-a new paradigm of community and learning-that describes what is possible and what works
• Building a strategic plan to employ the framework within each community to construct tailored models of learning and social development.

To find out more about educational change and get updates on this initiative, go to www.changelearning.ca. To discuss this initiative, become involved or step forward as a possible Co-Champion please contact Heather MacTaggart - hm@classroomconnections.ca.