Student-Centered Learning: Solving Education Challenges
Across Minnesota, educators, schools, and communities use many terms to describe approaches that prioritize the needs of learners, emphasize durable skills, and focus on mastery of content to ensure all students thrive. Whether called personalized, competency-based learning (PCBL), project-based learning, or other learner-driven models, these approaches share a commitment to equity, engagement, and academic success.
Benefits of student-centered learning
Student-centered learning is more than an approach — it’s a commitment to ensuring all learners thrive.
Moves beyond a one-size-fits-all approach to learning
Equips students with academic knowledge and essential life skills
Provides differentiated assessments aligned with strengths and needs.
Connects learning to students’ interests and real-world applications
Challenge: Students Learn at Different Speeds
Traditional learning environments don’t accommodate different learning speeds and starting points among students. Some students may struggle to keep up, falling further behind, while others master concepts quickly and lose interest.
How Student Centered Learning Helps
Student-centered approaches allow learners to progress at their own pace, receive individualized support, and engage in meaningful learning experiences that support their growth.
Challenge: Students are more disengaged and disinterested in school
Chronic absenteeism is a significant concern in Minnesota, with more than a quarter of students missing at least 10% of school days in 2023.
In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota schools with ‘high’ and ‘extreme’ chronic absence increased from 34% to 71%. Missing as few as five days per semester can make a student less likely to graduate from high school.
How Student Centered Learning Helps
Student-centered approaches address disengagement by tailoring educational experiences to individual student interests and needs. Learners see the relevance of their education to their personal goals and aspirations. Increased relevance and engagement leads to improved attendance and reduced absenteeism, as learners are more motivated to participate.
Challenge: Teachers aren’t satisfied or being retained
How Student Centered Learning Helps
Student-centered approaches cultivate collaborative and flexible teaching environments, where educators are respected as expert facilitators who can innovate and adapt to meet diverse learning needs. Professional autonomy leads to increased job satisfaction and retention, especially as teachers witness increased levels of student engagement and measurable learning growth from students.