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Local Partners
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Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound (ELS Program) Expeditionary Learning Schools Outward Bound (ELS) is a comprehensive design for creating and improving public elementary, middle and high schools that emphasize academic rigor, learning by doing, and a school culture that brings out the best in everyone. ELS is comprised of over 150 schools nationally, about one-third elementary, one-third middle and one-third high schools. In partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, we are collaborating with districts and charter boards to open 20 new public high schools around the country that provide rigorous, college-preparatory, project-based curriculum for low income students. Expeditionary Learning was developed as a program of Outward Bound, which uses outdoor adventure and service to help participants develop teamwork, courage, craftsmanship, perseverance, and compassion. These instructional practices create powerful learning experiences that foster academic learning and character growth. ELS works primarily through teaching teachers in their schools. It provides an average of 25 days a year of professional development to all faculty members in each of its partner schools. Most of ELS' professional development occurs at the school site, but there are many regional and national institutes, seminars, Outward Bound courses and conferences where teachers and administrators from EL schools across the country come to learn together. In Expeditionary Learning schools, learning expeditions, which are long term investigations requiring research, organization, skill and knowledge development, are the primary vehicles for academic learning and character growth. ELS sees the summer sabbatical grants provided by Fund for Teachers (FFT) as opportunities for teachers to craft their own personal learning expeditions and in so doing to become better teachers. ELS has partnered with FFT to help document, understand and strengthen the transfer of fellowship experiences into improved teaching practices. Drawing on the core work of ELS of enriching instructional practice in public schools, Expeditionary Learning is working to help Fund for Teachers in assessing and providing evidence of the benefits to students of the FFT program. 247 W. 35th Street, 8th Floor |
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