Real World Learning Case Study: Kansas City Region

Dubbed the City of Fountains, Kansas City, MO is known for its entrepreneurial spirit, its kindness and of course….the BBQ. Separated by only a state line, over 75 high schools from 31 different school systems across Missouri and Kansas collaborated to form Real World Learning.

One of the largest regional high school improvement projects in the country, Real World Learning was developed to ensure that all students are ready for life beyond high school. Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the sponsor of Real World Learning, recognized that the diploma was no longer enough and convened superintendents and business leaders to craft a new framework for students.

After conducting a landscape analysis of the region, the data showed that the post-high school preparation wasn’t equitable across states and systems due to some students having great access to authentic learning experiences and others very little or none. As a solution, regional stakeholders collaborated to form community agreements called Market Value Assets (MVAs).

MVAs are a collection of experiences that a student has access to during their high school years. The goal of Real World Learning is for all students to earn one or more MVAs by 2030. The MVAs include:

• Work experiences: internships and client-connected projects
• Entrepreneurial experiences: starting a business or launching an initiative
• College credit: at least nine credit hours
• Industry recognized credentials

The variety of MVAs allows for students, regardless of socioeconomic status or district type (rural, suburban, urban), to participate in authentic learning experiences that are supported by schools, businesses and the community. MVAs also allow students to see themselves in their community which increases their agency and sense of belonging.

The goals of Real World Learning were timely and important for the future of teaching and learning in the Kansas City region. The framework was structured, but flexible enough for school systems to personalize learning based on community needs. As a result of equitable funding distributed by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, districts were able to analyze needs and identify priorities that would help them reach the goal of every student earning one or more MVAs by 2030.

In addition, districts were provided technical assistance through school visits, professional learning opportunities and one-on-one support to help stakeholders experience different school models and imagine the learning possibilities. The school visits included a diverse group of over 500 stakeholders including teachers, school leaders, board members, clergy, community leaders and business executives. Groups visited over 30 different educational sites including Iowa Big, Tacoma Public Schools and Grand Prairie Independent School District.

By recognizing the need for a more skilled and diverse workforce, Real World Learning was able to regionalize an initiative that connected schools and businesses to create a different high school experience for Kansas City students. Using an equity lens from creation to implementation to maintenance, students will receive a personalized education based on their interests and will graduate with a high school diploma plus an MVA. The collaboration between states and the inclusion of diverse stakeholders will allow Real World Learning to have the maximum impact on schools in the Kansas City region. By 2030, all students will have a meaningful educational experience. The Real World Learning work is just beginning and high school will never be the same.