Second, schools rearrange the schedule to provide instructional staff with weekly common planning time. For some learning expeditions, students from different grades are grouped together. Expeditionary Learning schools assign instructional staff to the same group of students for at least two years, which, according to the developers, helps build trust and a sense of community among teachers and students. Monitoring of Student Progress and Performance. Instructional staff are encouraged to reflect regularly on student progress, and also on what student achievement says about the instructional practices of the school.
Students also are subject to the regular state and district standardized assessments.
Expeditionary Learning schools are required to conduct an annual self-review that examines the link between school instructional activities and student performance, and measures school practices against core practice benchmarks. Family and Community Involvement. Expeditionary Learning encourages parent and community involvement, especially in the learning expeditions. Community members and parents are encouraged to contribute their own expertise and talents and to attend student presentations at the end of each expedition. The developer considers professional development integral to successful implementation.