Acton Academy Research Library

The Science Behind Acton

Our learner-driven model is backed by decades of research in psychology, neuroscience, and pedagogy.

Learner-Driven Environment

Happiness is a precursor to success The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor
Insights on Personalized Learning Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Effectiveness of student-centered learning Stanford University

“Students in the study schools exhibited greater gains in achievement than their peers, had higher graduation rates, were better prepared for college, and showed greater persistence in college” — Linda Darling-Hammond

Experiential Learning

Learning by doing helps students perform better in science University of Chicago
The Power of Experiential Learning Association of American Colleges & Universities
School-Based Experiential Outdoor Education: A Neglected Necessity by Joan James and Theresa Williams

“First, no research has ever found a benefit to assigning homework (of any kind or in any amount) in elementary school.” — Alfie Kohn, Author of Unconditional Parenting

4 C’s of Education

Preparing 21st century students for a Global Society: A Guide to Four C’s National Education Association
Combining the 3 R’s and the 4 C’s Tech4Learning

                “Sitting in rows and listening to content delivered through a lecture is slowly being replaced with active learning environments...”
            

Blended Learning

The effectiveness of Blended Learning Environments Dr. Meltem Eryilmaz, Atilim University
A Comparative Study of Blended Learning versus Traditional Teaching Middle School Science Study
The effectiveness of online & blended learning SRI International
Blended Learning University of Central Florida
Blended & Online Learning Research Vanderbilt University

77% of academic leaders rate the learning outcomes in online education as the same or superior to those in face-to-face classrooms. — Allen & Seaman, 2013

Mastery-Based Learning

The neuroscience of joyful education Dr. Judy Willis
The case against grades Alfie Kohn
Teaching more by grading less Jeffrey Schinske and Kimberly Tanner
Do schools kill creativity? Ted Talk: Sir Ken Robinson
A New Kind of Classroom: No Grades, No Failing, No Hurry NYTimes
Love of Learning More Predictive of Success than Grades The Atlantic

                “When students are engaged and motivated... information flows freely... and they achieve higher levels of cognition.”
                — Kohn, 2004
            

Mobility in the Classroom

Why kids shouldn’t sit still in class NYTimes
The real reason kids shouldn’t sit in class HuffingtonPost
Move over, ‘sit still!’ Why kids need to move in school CNN

Kids who get extra physical activity in school do better in reading and math. — CNN

Multi-Age Classrooms

On the merits of multi-age classrooms David Pratt, PH.D
Multiage Programming Effects on Cognitive Developmental Level Fosco et. al
The advantages and disadvantages of multi-age classrooms Center for Evaluation and Education Policy
The multi-age classroom: What research tells the practitioner Sandra Stone
Multi-age Classrooms: An Age-Old Grouping Method Is Still Evolving Harvard Education
Inside a multi-age classroom The Atlantic

“Multiage does not try to fit the child to the pre-determined curriculum, but rather chooses a broad-based curriculum to fit the needs of the child.” — Sandra Stone

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The Science Behind Acton

Learner-Driven Environment

Experiential Learning

4 C’s of Education

Blended Learning

Mastery-Based Learning

Mobility in the Classroom

Multi-Age Classrooms

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