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IN MESA, AZ, the Tiffany Jennings Microschool begins its morning routine with exploratory free-play, moves through calendar games, counting exercises, days of the week practice and the Pledge of Allegiance. Jenkins, a former public school Kindergarten teacher, was eager for more flexibility and autonomy in her teaching. Kingdom Impact Global Worship Microschool, one of the three microschools supported by Prenda that CER visited, gives traditionally underserved families a personalized, safe and motivating learning environment for kids to thrive. Similarly, the Academy of Hope Microschool – also started by the Black Mother’s Forum –  offers a broad project-based approach that gives students access to, for example, painting on canvas while also doing science experiments and reading. The students’ level of comfort in these lively small groups was palpable and they were eager to learn and explore. Said one learning guide, “it was always a passion of mine to empower kids at a different level and having the opportunity to do so has been exciting and amazing.” Two other guides – a retired school principal and one whose students affectionately refer to her as Grandma Mimi – said everyday the kids want to stay. Overjoyed with their kids’ love of learning, parents feel empowered, willing to go above and beyond to make sure their child gets there because they are so happy being there.

POLICY, PODS AND LIFELONG LEARNING. The other part of the puzzle that is making pods there all the rage is that it offers space where non-traditional students are getting college credits, as well as a preschool, and more opportunities for wrap-around support, services and collaboration.  Black Mother’s Forum leader Janelle Wood who we’ve reported has attracted the attention of the Governor, was invited to the state capitol to share the micoschool concept with the state’s Child Safety and Family Empowerment committee and her purpose to “promote healthy mindsets and relationships to end the school to prison pipeline.” As she told the committee, “we needed to start at the school level because this is where it begins…somewhere [kids] lost their desire to learn, somewhere there was a failure, a breakdown, a breach and we determined that was in the school”. Community partners were inspired by Janelle’s passion and discussed different ways they can collaborate to spread the positive effect of microschools. Thanks to strong gubernatorial support and funding made possible by federal funds and innovatively distributed by Governor Doug Ducey, education opportunity from K through Career is spreading across the Grand Canyon state.

HARRISBURG IS DOING IT. Not to be outdone by our Arizona friends, children in the Keystone State’s capitol are also now attending a new micropod, thanks to leadership from the Rock Church and support from KaiPod Learning, a company that provides support for community learning pods. The Church has established the Rock City Learning Centerin the Allison Hill community, which, while just a mile from the view of lawmakers and their pristine capital, is one of the most challenged communities in the state.  The Rock Church’s Pastor Josh Robertson says, “The Learning Center is a safe place in this neighborhood for children to come and learn in a smaller, more personal educational environment.  I believe they will excel and thrive in this new environment and that will set them up for success in the future.” The team working on this microschool aspires to be open to as many families as need it. Write CER for more information.

MICROSCHOOLS ARE JUST A START. Left tiny, they are nice, but scaled, their impact is likely to do for parents what charters did in the 90’s – ignite a grassroots revolt.

THE OTHER BACK-TO-SCHOOL STORY… Great article from Bruno Manno, a former CER board member and advisor to the Walton Family Foundation, about the Covid education story that is not being told… “how parents sought new options for their children…[T]his story suggests a promising path forward for K-12 education – parent-directed, student-centered, and pluralistic, offering more educational and support options to families.”

STOP A MILLION DOLLARS BURNING A HOLE IN OUR POCKET. Our STOP Award – to support and advance work that educates students that is Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding and Permissionless –  is now open for applications and the interest is enormous!  Spread the word – we are on the hunt for the provider that most exemplifies innovation and opportunity and went to great pains to make sure it was available during Covid. For more information contact the STOP Award team – [email protected] or phone us at 202-750-0016.