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Blueprints - MUSE Global Schools

Want to develop a holistic form of student assessment?

The MUSE School in California is challenging traditional assessment methods. Teachers at the school use student Blueprints as a guide and motivational tool for learning. Blueprints focus is not only academics, but also on goal-setting, self-reflection, passion-based learning, self-efficacy, communication and sustainability. Each Blueprint provides a clear action plan for the student to explore their passions while developing socially, emotionally and academically.

HundrED 2020
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Overview

HundrED has selected this innovation to

HundrED 2020

HundrED 2019

HundrED 2018

Web presence

2014

Established

1.5K

Children

1

Countries
Target group
All
Updated
March 2017
The Blueprints model acts as a platform and a guide to empower learners to be recognised in education.

About the innovation

What is Blueprints?

It is increasingly accepted that students need to learn skills such as self-awareness, empowerment and motivation. Such skillshelp learners to develop into stable, confident individuals and increase their chances of success in both education and the workplace. Assessment today still often comes from external exam boards, which can make it difficult for students to practice and enhance these personal skills.

The MUSE School in California is challenging traditional assessment methods. Teachers at the school usestudent Blueprintsas a guide and motivational tool for learning. Blueprints focus on not only academics, but also on goal-setting, self-reflection, passion-based learning,self-efficacy, communication and sustainability.Each Blueprintprovides a clear action plan for the studentto explore their passions while developing socially, emotionally and academically.

Learners choose passion projects thatare woven into their core academics and milestones, making learning more engaging by complementing their needs and interests. MUSE teachers ensure that they support students with diverse academic needs, learning styles and environmental preferences. Each Blueprintis a living biography thatcomprehensively captures every aspect of a student's learning experience. ​​​

Two Blueprints are created and documentedeachyear,followed by parent-teacher conferences. The majority of these conferences are completely student-led. Twice a year, learners presenttheir passions to the rest of the student body, their parents and the faculty, enabling them to develop valuable communication and presentation skills.

Within this model, the MUSE School emphasises the importance of environmental awareness and sustainability, empowering students to have a positive impact on the world around them.

Impact & scalability

Impact & Scalability

Innovativeness

This assessment approach is holistic. It addresses the entire child through an efficacy-based model. It also focuses on sustainability and how students can have a positive impact on the environment.

Impact

Learners are engaged, respected and honoured for their individual personalities. Teachers can support and understand students holistically, while working with them to develop valuable skills.

Scalability

Blueprints could be used in any school around the world. Minor tweaks may be needed to adapt to specific contexts and curriculums, but this is easily achievable.

Academy review results
Impact
Scalability
Exceptional
High
Moderate
Limited
Insufficient
Exceptional
High
Moderate
Limited
Insufficient
Read more about our selection process

Implementation steps

Create a project plan
Teachers begin by holding a "passions meeting" with students to determine what passion projects the students would like to work on.

Learners have the freedom to decide what will be the focus of their project, with the aim of choosing a topic or area that they are especially passionate about.

Educate learners on key milestones
In order to employ a holistic assessment method, learners should be fully aware of what this entails.

Within the Blueprints model, theassessment template addresses student voice (goal setting and self-reflection), academics, passion-based learning and interests, self-efficacy, communication and sustainability.

Assess and record self-efficacy rubrics
It is useful to record rubrics both daily and weekly to keep track of students' progress.

Self-efficacy is the learner'sbelief in their ownability to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task. This can play a major role in how the learner approaches goals, tasksand challenges.

Educate students on how to advocate
The goal is to empower learners to advocate for their personal communication style and learning space.

Learners are given freedom to communicate and work however suits them best. The role of the teacher is to work with the learners to enable them to advocate for their own personal styles and choices.

Plan projects individually and collectively
Learners benefit from working both independently and within teams to complete their projects.

Giving learners exposure to a variety of working methods will enable them to develop their own preferred ways of working.

Share projects with the community
Twice a year, students share their passion projects with the whole student body, their parents and the school faculty.

Projects culminate in this presentation, through which students can show how they have met their academic milestones through their passion projects.

Spread of the innovation

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