Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities - Report - July 2025

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James

Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities examines Kentucky’s United We Learn initiative and how learning communities use “deeper learning” to create highly engaging, skills-based experiences. Drawing on implementation journeys at Metcalfe County Middle School, Woodford County Public Schools, and Beechwood Independent Schools, it highlights system and culture shifts such as competency-based learning, student leadership, portraits of a learner, feedback-driven skills, and career-community connections. The report concludes with insights from the statewide deeper learning journey.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages39

Reading Time1 h 38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Context on Kentucky’s Statewide Education Work

Introduction to the Featured Sites

Emerging Themes from Kentucky’s Deeper Learning Journey

Metcalfe County Middle School: Momentum Toward Deeper Learning Systems and Culture

Making Learning Visible with the Portrait of a Hornet

An Emphasis on Student Presentations and Choice

Shifting to Competency-Based Learning with Proficiency Scales

Deepening the Culture of Learning with Student and Educator Leadership

A Day of Presentations and Student Pride

Woodford County Public Schools: Pathways to the Portrait

Generating and Integrating the Portrait of a Learner

Pathways to the Portrait—For All

Decorating Cakes for Deeper Learning

School Redesign Takes Root—What’s Next?

Beechwood Independent Schools: A PK-12 Vision for Learning and Leading in Today’s World

Communities and Schools in Partnership

Purposeful Alignment Across a PK-12 System

A Culture of Feedback Reinforces Job-Ready Skills

Career and Community Connections Bring Academics to Life

Evolving and Aligning the Vision for the Future

Conclusion

Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities LAURIE GAGNON Deepening Student Learning in Three Kentucky Communities July 2025 Author Laurie Gagnon Acknowledgements The Aurora Institute would like to thank the learning communities of Metcalfe County Middle School, Woodford County Public Schools, and Beechwood Independent Schools for sharing their implementation journeys toward deeper learning experiences with us. We’d also like to thank the Kentucky Educational Cooperatives for their support in shepherding this work. About the Aurora Institute The Aurora Institute’s mission is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all. Aurora is shaping the future of teaching and learning through its work in policy advocacy, research, eld-building, and convening. With a national and global view of education innovation, we work on systems change in K-12 education, promote best practices, examine policy barriers, and make recommendations for change to yield improved outcomes for students. Aurora envisions a world in which all people are empowered to attain the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary to achieve success, contribute to their communities, and advance society. Gagnon, L (2025) . Deepening student learning in three Kentucky communities. Arlington, VA: Aurora Institute. Content in this report is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license. Aurora Institute | 4 © Aurora Institute Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Context on Kentucky’s Statewide Education Work.............................................................................................................7 Introduction to the Featured Sites ............................................................................................................................................ 9 Emerging Themes from Kentucky’s Deeper Learning Journey .................................................................................... 9 Metcalfe County Middle School: Momentum Toward Deeper Learning Systems and Culture...........15 Making Learning Visible with the Portrait of a Hornet ................................................................................................... 15 An Emphasis on Student Presentations and Choice......................................................................................................... 17 Shifting to Competency-Based Learning with Pro ciency Scales ..............................................................................18 Deepening the Culture of Learning with Student and Educator Leadership ........................................................19 A Day of Presentations and Student Pride ...........................................................................................................................20 Woodford County Public Schools: Pathways to the Portrait................................................................ 23 Generating and Integrating the Portrait of a Learner ......................................................................................................23 Pathways to the Portrait—For All ...........................................................................................................................................25 Decorating Cakes for Deeper Learning.................................................................................................................................. 27 School Redesign Takes Root—What’s Next?..................................................................................................................... 28 Beechwood Independent Schools: A PK-12 Vision for Learning and Leading in Today’s World ........

FAQs

What is the “deeper learning” concept used in the report?

The report defines deeper learning as highly engaging experiences where students apply skills and knowledge and build higher-order skills, with open-ended room for each community’s approach.

Which schools are featured as implementation sites in Kentucky?

The report focuses on Metcalfe County Middle School, Woodford County Public Schools, and Beechwood Independent Schools, describing their journeys toward deeper learning.

What types of practices are highlighted across the communities?

Across the sites, the report highlights competency-based learning, student leadership and presentations, learner “portraits,” feedback culture, and stronger links between academics and career/community needs.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by James