How We Document Learning

At Eskolta, we help schools, districts, and community organizations tell their stories and codify their successes. Our approach begins by diving deep into practice, elevating key voices, and communicating in a way that engages the right audience—students, families, teachers, district leads, or the national press. We believe the way an insight is captured—whether written up as a classroom tool, videotaped as a case study for wide distribution, or made into a clickable dashboard for taking action—makes all the difference in whether it has lasting impact or ends up growing dusty on a shelf.

1. Learning applied quickly in context:

Formative Data Reports

Trends and findings from analysis of student data to inform inquiry, focus areas, or intervention design

EXAMPLE: Insights from interviews and surveys at MS118

EXAMPLE: Eskolta Network School-level report

Starter Kits and Change Packets

Documentation of a practice, including step-by-step instructions, classroom tool templates, and guidance for use

EXAMPLE: Bronx Bridges Conferencing Protocol for Self-Directed Learning Strategies

EXAMPLE: Increasing Sentence Complexity at Jordan L Mott

Curriculum For Coaches

Ready-to-go materials for individuals leading inquiry and school change projects with educators

EXAMPLE: Eskolta Learning Center Mastery Based Learning series

2. Learning to showcase effective practice:

Toolkits, Handbooks, and Guides

Practical, implementable guidance on a promising school or district practice, with recommendations and templates

EXAMPLE: NYCDOE Improvement Science Handbook

EXAMPLE: Higher-Order Thinking through Daily Academic Discussion

Videos

Engaging videos that bring to life an effective school or district practice through the voices of youth and practitioners

Case Studies

Detailed accounts of practices told through story, highlighting themes and insights to assist educators in reflection

EXAMPLE: Inspiring Through Internships: Mentor Interviews & Workplace Brochures

EXAMPLE: How to Scale up Classroom Practices For Teaching Mindsets

Analytic Studies

Reports outlining findings from quantitative analyses of school or district data with recommendations to inform policy decisions

EXAMPLE: Using the District Partnership to Align Priorities in Teacher Leadership Work

EXAMPLE: Showcasing Success: A preliminary study of the experience of three schools hosting visits in the NYCDOE

Anchor Documents

Overview documents defining core program elements including offerings, theory of change, and impact to support communication with a range of audiences

EXAMPLE: NYC Teaching Academies multipager

EXAMPLE: College Access for All multipager

EXAMPLE: Teacher and School Leader one-pager

3. Learning to guide leadership and change systems:

Systems-level Analytic Research

Reports sharing findings from quantitative and mixed-methods analysis of data spanning multiple schools or districts, paired with recommendations

EXAMPLE: How They Thrive: Lessons from New York City Alternative School Alumni

Program Impact Research

Reports evaluating the impact of district- and network-level initiatives

EXAMPLE: Beyond Incentives: Four Years of Cultivating Teacher Leadership in Career Pathways

EXAMPLE: Fostering an Effective Instructional Program: A Study of the Impact of the NYCDOE Multiple Pathways Institute

Policy Memos and White Papers

In-depth reports on a program, approach, or policy providing recommendations for solutions backed by evidence derived from field research and data

EXAMPLE: Blueprint for Accountability Systems for Alternative High Schools

EXAMPLE: Improvement Science in NYC Schools

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