learning ecosystem Archives

Strengthening school-afterschool partnership_Tips trends 2026 School Superintendents Conference_feature: man speaks and presents in front of room full of people with a screen to his left

Strengthening school/afterschool partnership: Tips and trends from the 2026 School Superintendents Conference

At the 2026 National Conference on Education hosted in Nashville by the School Superintendents Association, I heard a sentence that defined my...

learning environments What John King's teachers were actually doing_feature: group of students listens to black male teacher outdoors teaching them about plants

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Opinion

What John King’s teachers were actually doing

Helping youth thrive is about designing learning environments that prioritize consistency, challenge, and agency.

Structure, control and leaving room, youth environments _feature: image of clay pot spinning on record player

476

Opinion

Structure, control and leaving room

Youth practitioners play a critical role in shaping youth environments by establishing norms, safety, and a larger vision — not by controlling...

Childcare, early care, OST: Group young children holding hands while running towards camera across green grass with trees in background

579

From the Field

Beyond fragmentation: Advancing continuity of care and cumulative opportunities in OST

OST can move from a patchwork of programs to a cohesive ecosystem boosting equity and learning; becoming a vital part of the...

OST learning, learning ecosystem: teacher with red hair teaching young Asian girl student outdoors by pointing at flowers

479

Grants

Out-of-school time learning ecosystem support grants

GRANT FOCUS: Learning Ecosystem/Environment, Out-of-School Time, Afterschool, Family Support | Amount: $25,000 - $100,000 | Deadline: Apr. 9, 2026

AI in schools: person on laptop while also using AI chatbot on smartphone

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From the Field

Flourishing in the Age of AI: Q&A with Courtney Garcia of LearnerStudio

Merita Irby speaks with LearnerStudio's Courtney Garcia about a new anthology exploring what it means for young people to flourish in the...

To fix student chronic absenteeism schools ust support families first_feature: Young teacher having meeting with parent of schoolboy, they sitting at table and talking together after lessons

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From the Field

To fix student absenteeism, schools must support families first

With chronic absenteeism still 50% above pre-pandemic levels, schools are using ineffective punitive or reward-based strategies instead of family supports.

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance_feature: recess, group of very happy children playing game with yellow ball

897

From the Field

Joy, partnership and play create belonging and increase attendance

We must ensure kids are experiencing high-quality recess and a school climate that makes them want to attend every day.

QA_ Karen Pittman _2026 NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service Public Education Award_older black woman stand at podium with hands clasped in front of her

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From the Field

Q&A with Karen Pittman, 2026 recipient of the NEA Foundation’s Outstanding Service to Public Education Award

Youth Today's Karen Pittman, often referred to as the godmother of positive youth development, received the award on February 13.

On youth program quality_feature2: group of young children learning excitedly around table

691

From the Field

On program quality

Katherine Plog Martinez speaks with Thomas Akiva on how youth-serving organizations can ensure youth program quality by recognizing three key developments.

Big Thought ecosystem intermediary behind Dallas City of Learning_feature: young black female artist works on the floor with headphones around neck

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Opinion

Big Thought: The ecosystem intermediary behind Dallas City of Learning

Big Thought brings arts education into the community and tackles other opportunity gaps.

From systems leadership to learning ecosystems stewardship_feature: group of kids watch an educator giving a presentation outside

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Opinion

From systems leadership to ecosystems stewardship: A next step for OST intermediaries?

The benefits of comprehensive learning ecosystems are vast, but a vital part of maintaining and stewarding them will fall on OST programs/intermediaries.

The new federal education tax credit_A time to make lemonade_feature: young teacher helps a student in afterschool art program

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Opinion

The new federal education tax credit: A time to make lemonade?

Large youth-serving organizations could take advantage of a new federal education tax credit originally meant to establish a national voucher-like program.

learning ecosystems: Young boy sits with head in hands at white desk

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Opinion

Why unconstrained kids need unconstrained ecosystems

Understanding developmental pathways of constrained and unconstrained skills helps realize the importance of learning ecosystems.

Thriving youth: Multi-ethnic group of 7 teenagers standing together laughing and smiling into camera

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Opinion

Q&A: The Alliance for Youth Thriving

The Alliance for Youth Thriving connects leaders across youth sectors to tackle common challenges.

what is the next step_career pathways, postsecondary transition: group of youths being helped at table by woman

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From the Field

Navigating to next: Making complex pathways clearer with people-powered supports

In a complex economic landscape and postsecondary ecosystem, youth need navigators and postsecondary transition coaches.

Afterschool STEM education: young black boy working on laptop connected to robotic wheel device

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From the Field

Afterschool STEM: Turning curiosity into careers and citizenship

A growing body of evidence shows that high-quality afterschool STEM programs excite and engage youth.

school police debate, school resource officers, mentor: school security guard looks out over cafeteria full of students

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Opinion

Unexpected mentors: Every new positive connection really does count

How can we look for ways to expand or deepen youth-adult relationships?

Expanding horizons, essential developmental relationships _evidence of afterschool impacts_feature: group of students and afterschool workers at a table outdoors doing work

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From the Field

Expanding horizons, essential relationships: The evidence of afterschool impacts

We learn and grow through relationships — and when these are paired with high quality learning and leadership opportunities, real transformation happens.