The goals and strategies of each hub vary by region. All hubs, however, use three key strategies in their work: place-based education (PBE), sustained professional development for K-12 teachers, and school-community partnerships.
PBE uses the local community and environment as a starting point for teaching and learning; emphasizes hands-on, inquiry-based, real-world experiences; and involves direct collaboration with community partners.
PBE is much more than a field trip. In schools in other states and communities, PBE has been a feature of teaching and learning for years. The results of using this approach have been measured – and they are exciting.
Students in classrooms where PBE is used achieve:
- Higher standardized test scores in:
- Reading
- Writing
- Math
- Science
- Social studies
- A general improvement in overall GPA
- Higher-than-average scholarship awards
Teachers in classrooms using PBE report the following outcomes related to students’ attitude and behavior:
- Fewer discipline problems
- Better attendance
- Deeper civic engagement
- More responsible behavior in the school and community
These positive outcomes mean that teachers have more time to teach, and students have more time to learn.
Work in other areas of the United States demonstrates the positive impact that PBE can have on whole communities and the environment. All in all, it’s an approach that has the potential to transform how we teach, how we learn, and how we connect and contribute to our “place.”