Learning comes alive in San Carlos

Project-based learning is a student-centered, inquiry-based approach to instruction where students develop agency and learn by engaging in rigorous projects (usually in teams) that teachers carefully plan, manage and assess. This approach helps students learn key academic content, practice future-ready skills, and create high-quality, authentic products and presentations. In the San Carlos School District, students are often the catalysts for project ideas and design, thus promoting greater student engagement and ownership of their learning.

During my recent visit to the schools, the positive energy was palpable. I saw students joyfully sharing their work and ideas with each other and teachers, collaborating meaningfully on teams, and actively listening to each other and their teachers. They were curious, respectful and engaged in learning and had agency in their classrooms. I had no idea which students might have a learning disability or might be new to the school.

The fourth-grade students at Mariposa were working in small groups to develop a list of topics they thought were most important to share as part of the culmination of their studies — a California history museum. They were discussing and reaching agreement on which of the many topics they had studied, such as missions, the Gold Rush, and immigration, were both of interest to them and important to highlight in their museum. They were headed on a field trip later in the week to examine how the San Mateo County History Museum brings history to life for its visitors. That trip will inform their work as well.

The fourth-grade students at Arroyo were sharing in small groups their creative writing related to natural disasters, which they had been studying. The faculty worked hard to appropriately address difficult and sometimes very personal topics, like wildfires, to ensure students impacted had a chance to share if they wanted to, while avoiding making the work trauma-inducing. The students were both confident and proud to share and happy to listen. I only wished I could have heard more of their stories, as they were quite gripping.

Meanwhile, the teachers were skillfully facilitating student learning, not simply imparting knowledge and information. They asked questions, listened and advised as needed; no loud “teacher voices” were required. In fact, one teacher seamlessly guided the merging of two classrooms with a simple and gentle countdown from 10.

Successfully implementing project-based learning can be challenging for teachers. They need to give up some control while still ensuring student learning and accountability. This style of teaching also requires considerable planning, facilitation skills and careful assessment. The San Carlos School District has invested in providing its teachers with the training and support they need, including additional professional development, and the principals are on hand to lead and support the work. Project-based learning is closely aligned with the district’s strategic plan and its Local Control Accountability Plan goals, which makes it a win as well.

Arroyo and Mariposa’s efforts are working. The principals see it. Surveys of students and teachers show a shared and deep appreciation for project-based learning and the value it provides. Chronic absenteeism is down at both schools, and counter to what we often hear, standardized math and English/language arts test scores did not dip during or after the pandemic at either school. Both schools have maintained outstanding academic performance during the implementation phase of project-based learning and beyond, including improved outcomes for English Learners and students with disabilities.

The sky’s the limit for engaged students supported by talented teachers and administrators and surrounded by respectful and kind peers. In San Mateo County, we are fortunate to have excellent public schools and educators who care deeply about their students and work hard to ensure every child succeeds. As negative education rhetoric swirls in the larger world, let’s appreciate all the good we have in San Mateo County, continue to invest in our schools and thank our educators.

Patricia Love is a member of the San Mateo County Board of Education. The views expressed are her own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Board of Education as a whole or its individual members.