Improve Equity and Close the Achievement Gap
In schools and districts across the U.S., LSI’s Applied Research Center is transforming
core instruction and leadership practices, resulting in rapid gains in student learning.
RESEARCH DRIVEN
Our metrics-driven methodologies are designed from decades of research, working with schools and districts across the U.S., state DOE’s, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in Florida, and the Wallace Foundation in Des Moines, Iowa.
PROVEN OUTCOMES
Our Schools for Rigor partnerships result in closing the achievement gap by equipping all students with the social, emotional, and cognitive skills to thrive in the 21st century. We believe these are the skills necessary to help break the cycle of poverty.
HOW WE PRODUCE A MEASURABLE PATH TO GROWTH
Our proven Schools for Rigor model delivers measurable and sustainable success through:
SYSTEMS ASSESSMENT
We start by partnering with districts to assess their systems through our scientific protocols. The evidence obtained through the assessments reveals the root causes inhibiting growth in student achievement.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Our professional development and coaching builds leadership capacity at all levels to establish a new vision for instruction as well as the implementation of improved rigorous core instructional practices.
EVIDENCE FOR SUCCESS
Once applied, the model produces visible evidence of student-learning outcomes. Our digital tools allow school and district leaders to track improvements and, if needed, adjust to ensure sustainable growth.
SEEING IS BELIEVING
Step inside the classroom and see how teacher and student targets are being met while learning is internalized at Grand Island Public Schools:
- See what student-centered learning looks like
- Hear children ask questions and challenge each other
- See how a vibrant classroom fosters collaboration
See the evidence of equity and rigor from the students to the teachers to the administrators.
A Pathway to Student-Centered Achievement
In a Schools for Rigor partnership, teachers are trained to build student-led academic teams in the classroom. These teams, in-turn, empower students to increase active cognitive engagement and critical thinking skills, which are necessary to achieve the rigor of the new academic standards and thrive in the new economy.
TEACHER-CENTERED
CORE INSTRUCTION
In the traditional classroom, teachers often work harder than their students, the teacher’s voice is typically heard more than students, and students tend to be more passively compliant in their learning.
TEACHER-LED
STUDENT GROUPS
Student voices grow, and student evidences reveal increased mastery of standards as teachers transition their classrooms to more student-centered routines.
STUDENT-LED
ACADEMIC TEAMS
All team members own each other's learning goals and engage in peer tutoring to ensure each member achieves rigorous standards as teachers release greater responsibility to academic teams.
Learn more about proper student teaming in our professional development solutions.
DOWNLOAD OUR RECENTLY PUBLISHED STUDY
ON DES MOINES' INCREDIBLE PROGRESS
Des Moines Public Schools partnered with LSI to build capacity of leadership, rigorous instruction and student teaming in 22 schools. Within one school year, they rapidly narrowed the achievement gap and increased rigor. Additionally, their initiative ensured an accountability system with safeguards for African Americans, Hispanics, low-income students, students with disabilities, and English learners.
Read how Des Moines Public Schools has become a model for urban education.
