Loudoun County Public Schools

Through a partnership with the Buck Institute for Education, we provide students with opportunities to learn through project-based learning (PBL). Over the past five years, more than 3,000 teachers representing all 92 Loudoun County Public Schools have engaged in professional learning to implement project -based learning in the classroom. The eight essential design elements of PBL also serve as the design elements for performance-based assessments. LCPS grounded the elements of performance-based assessments on the PBL design elements to create greater coherence between instruction and assessment. This connection also allows for PBA to serve as an access point for teachers to build toward PBL. These essential design elements are:

1. Key Knowledge, Understanding, & Success Skills
2. Challenging Problem or Question
3. Sustained Inquiry
4. Authenticity
5. Student Voice & Choice
6. Reflection
7. Critique & Revision
8. Public Product

Through a partnership with Education Elements, 55 schools are implementing the core four elements of personalized learning (flexible content and tools, targeted instruction, student reflection and ownership, and data-driven decisions) to create greater access to and personalization of PBL and deeper learning. Students with varying instructional needs and interests receive individualized supports and resources to meet their specific learning needs as they engage in solving authentic, challenging problems. Through a phased approach, four waves of schools engaged in personalized learning professional learning. Together, Education Elements, division office staff, and school staff collaborate in professional learning and engage in frequent learning walks to assess progress and engage in continuous improvement.