Bloom 206 Explores Authentic Learning with Renowned Educator

Bloom Township High School District 206 has brought in Jay McTighe—an accomplished author and educator—in its continued effort to evolve the educational experience for students and families.

McTighe is co-author of the best-selling book Understanding by Design, in which he and Grant Wiggins offer a framework for courses and content called “Backward Design.” While educators have traditionally approached course building with learning activities and assessments that are then connected back to the learning goals of the course, this new framework takes a different approach. Backward Design has teachers look at the learning goals first.

“Our district has made great strides in working with the Understanding by Design Framework, said Dorith Johnson, Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments and Grants. “Our goal is to ensure that all students are college and career ready and that they can effectively apply the knowledge and skills in their post-secondary experiences. I am honored that our district is working with Mr. Jay McTighe, a pioneer in this work, to further the innovative strategies in our curriculum development.”

McTighe has been working with district leaders to implement the framework and said he has been impressed with Bloom 206 educators’ openness to innovative approaches.

“I'm impressed with the district’s commitment toward innovation and the use of this framework,” McTighe said. “The goal is to teach students how to learn on their own, how to use big ideas and apply them. We want to give students the experience of applying their learning in authentic ways.”

Bloom 206 Superintendent Lenell Navarre said the decision to bring in McTighe is just one more step in an ongoing strategy to provide a holistic and unparalleled learning experience for the students of Bloom and Bloom Trail high schools.

“It’s important to our educators and myself that we keep a finger on the pulse and stay aware of what innovations will truly serve our students and families,” Navarre said. “We want to ensure that the learning experience is always in the service of providing students the tools they need to achieve their dreams. Backward design, building with the goal in mind, aligns with the type of education we want our students to receive.”

McTighe said he is eager to see Bloom 206’s continued growth in servicing the students’ learning. “From Socrates on, the best teachers want their kids to understand deeply,” McTighe said. There is a leadership commitment to this goal at Bloom Township.”