What started as an idea for a Community of Practice has evolved into what we now call a Community of Action. Simply put, this Community is different.
The EALA Community of Action brings a diverse group of professionals together twice a year to solve shared challenges affecting students with disabilities or learning differences.
Each Community of Action convening centers on selected promising practices. By the end of each event (within 36 hours), participants team up and present group ideas to their peers. Convening participants select one to three proposed solutions from their peers for implementation funding through participatory grantmaking.
Using Design Thinking to Solve System Challenges
EALA & The Learning Accelerator
This blog details how organizers of the EALA Community of Action adapted the steps outlined in the Learning Accelerator’s (TLA) Real-Time Redesign toolkit to leverage design thinking and provide a clear pathway for the January Community of Action convening.
Getting Started: A Conversation with Jonathan McCarty
EALA & Blue Engine
In this podcast bite, we are joined by Jonathan McCarty, the Director of Program Implementation in Louisiana at Blue Engine. Blue Engine, which provides school partnership programming, was represented at the EALA Community of Action. In this episode, Jonathan talks short and long-term impact of EALA and Blue Engine.
Let’s Start with the Idea: We All Learn Differently
EALA & We All Learn Differently Project
In this case study, we explore how one larger-than-average project within the EALA Community of Action sought to find a way to better engage families and communities in regard to learning differences and disabilities. And after 36 hours, walked away with the means and a plan to get accessible media resources, an educator playbook, and a day of celebration into real-world pilot schools.
All Families Can Be Learning Heroes: A Conversation with David Park
EALA & Learning Heroes
In this podcast, we are joined by David Park, the Senior Vice President at Learning Heroes. In this episode, David sheds light on his work at the EALA Community of Action and shares insights from his research in promoting learning outcomes for kids.
Could a Data-Driven Mindset Shift be the Key to A Sense of Belonging for All Students?
EALA & Buzzfeed for Belonging Project
In this case study, we explore how one project within the EALA Community of Action sought to find a way to better understand the mindsets of leaders in regard to learning differences and disabilities.
Advocating for Exceptional Learners
EALA & National Parents Union
What do parents, teachers, and students need to advocate for students/themselves? Join Jason B. Allen to deep dive on the topic of how to effectively advocate for your student with learning differences and discuss what is needed to be an effective advocate.
Community Of Action Overview
EALA & CoA Members
19 professionals, 5 coaches, and 4 staff members representing a variety of education sectors came together to participate in our first-ever EALA Community of Action convening. Over the next year, elected groups will turn the ideas formed into action.
We’ve invited professionals from the world of education, across many different sectors: from direct service providers and school and district leaders to intermediaries and non-profit organization leaders to participate as members of our Community of Action.
We envision this community to include both people with a perspective on real-world problems, and those who have intermediary leverage to propose and implement solutions that may come out of each convening.
"The ability to work with a diverse set of thinkers and leaders on shared solutions was energizing." CoA Member
"It was great to watch teams wrestle with their challenge and develop opportunities as a result of their collaborative action."CoA Coach
"In my 18 years in education and advocacy, I have NEVER participated in a convening as impactful and with such strong results as this."CoA Member