Project Impact
A national study to show the impact of microschools and project-based learning through Rock by Rock
Project Impact
Microschools + Project Based Learning = Learner Success
About Project Impact
Rock by Rock supports educational entrepreneurs and innovators by making real-world, project-based learning more equitably accessible and easier to implement. Our goal is to make it easier for you to bring deep, real, authentic, holistic learning alive for your students.
Rock by Rock has partnered with the National Microschooling Center, The Learning Accelerator, and Mathematica (both national research organizations) to help illustrate the impact of microschools and Rock by Rock to support improved and expanded outcomes for kids.
About Project Impact
Rock by Rock supports educational entrepreneurs and innovators by helping real-world, project-based learning more equitably accessible and easier to implement. Our goal is to make it easier for you to bring deep, real, authentic, holistic learning alive for your students.
Rock by Rock has partnered with the National Microschooling Center, The Learning Accelerator, and Mathematica (both national research organizations) to help illustrate the impact of microschools and Rock by Rock to support improved and expanded outcomes for kids.
Three Goals
- Demonstrate the impact of project-based learning through Rock by Rock in microschools and microschool impact on academic and holistic outcomes.
- Provide data and evidence of impact to fuel the microschooling movement.
- Provide compelling data, marketing materials, stories and testimonials microschools can use to demonstrate impact and support recruitment and growth.
1. Demonstrate the impact of project-based learning through Rock by Rock in microschools and microschool impact on academic and holistic outcomes.
2. Provide data and evidence of impact to fuel the microschooling movement.
3. Provide compelling data, marketing materials, stories and testimonials microschools can use to demonstrate impact and support recruitment and growth.
What's Assessed?
Our goal for this study is to show the amazing impact microschools are having on student learning and show the impact that real-world, project-based learning through Rock by Rock can have on students.
We are going to use a nationally normed reading assessment, iReady, to show student progress on a traditional growth measure and we are going to document holistic student growth through portfolios and artifacts (video, student work, stories, testimonials) to show the expanded impact microschools and project-based learning are having.
What's Involved?
How will we work together to maximize our impact?
How will we work together to maximize our impact?
Microschool Benefits:
Microschools who purchase Rock by Rock and participate in Project Impact will get access to:
- Rock by Rock Discount: 10% discount on Rock by Rock with full access to our library of projects and live virtual field trips (~$26.20 per learner)Â
- Free membership NMC: Free membership to the National Microschooling Center for one year (a $100 value) – New members only.Â
- Free iReady Assessment: Access to iReady assessments, if needed, for participating students in your microschool ($12 per student value)Â
- Training and Resources: Access to ongoing professional development, resources and supports to help microschools successfully implement project based learning in their context. Each month, we’ll offer free tools, resources and support to help support project implementation.
- Collaboration: Opportunities for you and your students to connect with other microschools from around the country.Â
Microschool Benefits:
Microschools who purchase Rock by Rock and participate in Project Impact will get access to:
Rock by Rock Discount: 10% discount on Rock by Rock with full access to our library of projects and live virtual field trips (~$26.20 per learner)Â
Free membership NMC: Free membership to the National Microschooling Center for one year (a $100 value) – New members only.Â
Free iReady Assessment: Access to iReady assessments, if needed, for participating students in your microschool ($12 per student value)Â
Training and Resources: Access to ongoing professional development, resources and supports to help microschools successfully implement project based learning in their context. Each month, we’ll offer free tools, resources and support to help support project implementation.
Collaboration: Opportunities for you and your students to connect with other microschools from around the country.Â
Commitments
Microschools participating in project impact agree to:
- Projects: Purchase with 10% discount Rock by Rock annual subscription and use projects 3-4 times a year as part of the microschool program.
- Assessment: Administer the iReady reading assessment three times a year (fall, winter, spring)
- Portfolios: Keep portfolios, student reflections, photos and other evidence of student impact for a subset of students in the pilot.
- Surveys: Leaders and teachers take a survey 2-3 times sharing feedback on Rock by Rock project impact.
- Ongoing Engagement: Participate in getting started onboarding and ongoing support opportunities.Â
- Parent Communication: Share a simple parent communication explaining participation in the study.
Commitments
Microschools participating in project impact agree to:
Â
Projects: Purchase with 10% discount Rock by Rock annual subscription and use projects 3-4 times a year as part of the microschool program.
Assessment: Administer the iReady reading assessment three times a year (fall, winter, spring)
Portfolios: Keep portfolios, student reflections, photos and other evidence of student impact for a subset of students in the pilot.
Surveys: Leaders and teachers take a survey 2-3 times sharing feedback on Rock by Rock project impact.
Ongoing Engagement: Participate in getting started onboarding and ongoing support opportunities.Â
Parent Communication: Share a simple parent communication explaining participation in the study.
Data Privacy
All student data will be kept confidential.
At the end of the study, microschools will have the option of having their school or name listed on the final report.
All data will be reported in aggregate with out any personally identifiable information that singles out a single school.
The project is being conducted under an approved IRB or independent review board which means all parts of the program will be approved by the board to ensure rigor and privacy.
Data Privacy
All student data will be kept confidential.
At the end of the study, microschools will have the option of having their school or name listed on the final report.
All data will be reported in aggregate with out any personally identifiable information that singles out a single school.
The project is being conducted under an approved IRB or independent review board which means all parts of the program will be approved by the board to ensure rigor and privacy.
Burbrella
Thematic Anchors
Express Interest by October 14th
Do you want to increase access to project-based learning?Â
Do you want ways to measure impact and increase parent communication and engagement?Â
Do you want access to resources and tools to support retention and recruitment?Â
Do you want to contribute to a national study to help grow the microschooling movement?Â
About the Cohort
We have space for approximately 50 microschools to be part of the Project Impact experience. We aim to build a cohort of diverse settings, geography and students.
Â
If you have already completed a survey from a webinar or focus group, you are on our list. If you haven’t yet expressed interest to apply, please complete this short survey to let us know you are interested. We will accommodate as many schools as we can.
Â
Our hope is that this is a fun, collaborative, supportive experience for educators and students.Â
Â
Programming will begin in September.
Â
Have questions? Please reach out to Missy@rockbyrock.com.
You must be logged in to post a comment.