Implementation of the Learning Differences Program

During the 2019-20 academic year, the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation (Friday Institute) established a modified research-practice partnership (RPP) with Manning Elementary School (Roanoke Rapids, NC) and Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School (Raleigh, NC). 

As a part of the RPP, the Friday Institute provided continuous feedback to the schools as they implemented the Institute’s Learning Differences program and applied concepts of learning differences to their professional practice. 

Manning Elementary School and Centennial Campus Magnet Middle School employed two different school implementations of the program: 

• The Manning Elementary School implementation can be described as “light-touch”, as the Friday Institute provided bimonthly in-person instructional support to teachers during their PLC time.
• The Centennial Magnet Middle School implementation can be described as “high-touch”, as the Friday Institute facilitated constant and iterative feedback with teachers and administrators through weekly check-in meetings and weekly implementation memos. 

Through the various data collected, the Friday Institute identified the impact program and described key lessons learned that may assist future schools and districts seeking to implement the Learning Differences program. These learnings may be found in the individual case study reports below.

This work was made possible through generous support from Oak Foundation. Oak Foundation commits its resources to address issues of global, social and environmental concern, particularly those that have a major impact on the lives of the disadvantaged. More information about the Foundation may be found at https://oakfnd.org.