Purpose

The Learning Collaborative Institute’s (LCI) Rural Learning Collaborative aims to strengthen rural communities by building Education Collaboratives that support every learner to thrive throughout their K-12 education and enter postsecondary prepared to complete a degree or credential that leads to  a life-sustaining career. The Rural Learning Collaborative provides training and collaboration opportunities for rural Community School leaders and their partners to come together, engage with relevant and meaningful data, uplift student voice and community realities, and implement high-impact strategies to advance outcomes for learners who have been traditionally underrepresented in postsecondary spaces. Implementing the validated LC Framework© for data-informed collaboration, K-12 leaders work shoulder to shoulder with postsecondary and community partners to generate significant student outcomes.

Process and Approach

Grounded in its validated Learning Collaborative Framework©, LCI provides training and support for Collaborative Partners through a series of online and in-person training sessions and resources, which engage leaders in implementing high-impact, equity-focused strategies in a data-informed and shared data-leadership approach. LCI works closely with Community School Coordinators and collaborators to build capacity for data-driven decision-making and effective practices to achieve the goals of the Community School, in an approach that is tailored to the specific needs and realities of the communities they serve. LCI’s focus on capacity building and development of shared and aligned systems for data use across the Community School and its partner institutions equips Collaborative Partners to generate systems level change that is sustainable across time and that continues to yield transformational outcomes for their learners and community, aligned with their community school vision and goals.

Levels of Engagement

  • Ten (10) Monthly Coaching Sessions totaling 10 hours/year to advance strategic priorities and goals
  • Data Systems and Analysis Support to advance strategic priorities and goals
  • One (1) RLC Convening per year to share expertise and exchange resources with peers
  • Optional Deeper Dives through Self-Directed Online Training Modules of approx. 20 minutes
  • Additional Topical Trainings to strengthen Data Collection and Data Use
  • Optional LCI High School Exit Survey to measure learners’ postsecondary aspirations and outcomes
  • Access to LCI’s Library of Online Resources and Rural Network

“Working with the Learning Collaborative Institute has been an incredibly positive experience, as they truly understand and want to support students and schools to succeed. Their real-life... experience in collaborative work allowed them to meet our needs..., providing both technical assistance and valuable training. What stood out most... was their genuine willingness to collaborate with small, rural schools, approaching our work together with thoughtful kindness and skill.”

Serena Johnson Community School Coordinator, Inyo County Office of Education