Leading Learning, Not Just Compliance
New York State is at a pivotal moment in education. The decoupling of Regents exams from graduation requirements has opened the door for schools to rethink what meaningful learning and assessment look like. Across the state, district leaders are asking better questions about how to align their systems to what they truly believe about learners, growth, and success. Modern Learners is proud to support that work.
We are a lead Technical Assistance Center (TAC) for the New York State Education Department’s Performance-Based Learning and Assessment Networks (PLAN) Pilot. But our work in New York doesn’t stop there. We also support schools and districts beyond the pilot who are designing and implementing new ways to assess learning, build learner profiles, and redefine graduate readiness.
Supporting Change with Context and Clarity
Modern Learners helps school systems build the capacity to lead meaningful change. Our team brings deep expertise in implementation science, professional learning, and systems coaching to support:
- Performance-Based Learning and Assessment (PBLA)
- Portrait of a Graduate development and use
- Assessment task design and quality review
- Networked learning and cross-district collaboration
- Continuous improvement using PDSA cycles and practice profiles
We work alongside schools as a critical friend, helping teams build systems that reflect their beliefs and serve their learners. We don’t bring a one-size-fits-all solution. We work in context.
About the PLAN Pilot
The PLAN Pilot is a state-led initiative studying three promising approaches to performance-based learning:
- Career and Technical Education and Work-Based Learning
- Inquiry-Based Learning with Learner Profiles
- Project-Based Learning and Performance Assessment Tasks
Twenty-three pilot schools are participating in this multi-year effort, supported by technical assistance, coaching, and statewide learning networks. These schools represent a range of readiness levels, learning models, and community contexts.
As a TAC, Modern Learners leads cross-school workgroups, designs and delivers professional learning, and guides leaders and teachers through the stages of implementation science. Our focus is always on building sustainable systems for learning that prioritize equity, relevance, and clarity.
Work With Us
Whether your district is part of the PLAN Pilot or just getting started with reimagining assessment and accountability, we can help. From early exploration to full implementation, our team knows how to help you build systems that work — and that last.
To learn more about how we can support your work, reach out to Kimberly Moritz at kimberly@modernlearners.com.