The Shift to Student-Centered, Learning-Driven Classrooms 

A student stands up to face their peers, ready to present their findings from an original research on an issue they care about. They chose the question, found the sources, and built the argument. 

They’re not just learning. They’re leading. 

In classrooms supported by Education Elements and powered by the Odell High School Literacy Program, this isn’t the exception; it’s the expectation.

When One-Size-Fits-All Instruction Falls Flat

Traditional high school literacy often prioritizes standards, pacing guides, and “coverage.” However, these methods rarely captivate the minds of students. They get through the material, but they don’t connect with it. In today’s diverse, post-COVID classrooms, genuine engagement is non-negotiable. 

Districts such as Denver Public Schools recognized this disconnect and made a bold pivot. Partnering with Ed Elements, they implemented a new approach that centers student voice, elevates literacy stamina, and connects reading to real life.

What Is Student-Centered, Learning-Driven Instruction? 

At its core, student-centered instruction is about agency, giving students meaningful choice and purpose in their learning. 

Learning-driven classrooms focus on not just what students know, but on how they apply it. Odell Education High School Literacy Program brings this vision to life, through a structure that’s built for agency, relevance, and real-world application.

● Foundation Units such as “Who Changes the World?” build inquiry and community. 

● Development Units deepen literary analysis through authors such as Shakespeare, Alvarez, and Achebe.

● Application Units let students drive research, collaborate, and present findings to their school and community. 

Designed to be culturally sustaining and academically rigorous, the Odell HSLP promotes the following: 

● Reading and writing stamina 

● Real-world relevance 

● Diverse perspectives across race, gender, ethnicity, and class 

● Authentic student voice and reflection 

Explore the curriculum: Odell Curriculum | Education Elements.

How Ed Elements Makes the Shift Sustainable

Shifting to student-centered learning requires more than just new textbooks. It demands a change in strategy tailored to the context, one that will last. 

Ed Elements provides the backbone for this change. 

Through our Blueprint for Change, we help districts achieve the following: 

● Conduct curriculum audits to align instruction with student experience 

● Create shared instructional visions rooted in community voice 

● Design implementation systems that support long-term change, not one-time rollouts 

We have supported over

5.5

million students

400

districts

5,700+

schools nationwide

Learn more about us: https://www.edelements.com/edelements-about-us

How Education Elements Is Powering Literacy Gains in Denver

In a recent webinar with Odell Education, Transforming High School Literacy Through Student-Centered Learning, Anne Marie Blieszner, High School Literacy Curriculum Specialist at Denver Public Schools, shared how the shift is already visible across their classrooms. 

● Students are doing more of the thinking and talking in classrooms, showing greater ownership of their learning. 

● Engagement is rising, students report being more excited about their topics, eager to collaborate, and more connected to what they’re learning. 

● Their writing is improving, the analyses is getting deeper, and a stronger student voice is emerging.

● School-wide events now showcase student research, such as a humanities symposium where learners shared projects born from Odell’s application unit. 

“Initially we're seeing that our scores are creeping up, which is great. From a quantitative perspective, that's exciting. But in the classroom, we're seeing what we're hoping to see, which is that students are the ones doing the thinking and the talking… We're starting to see that students are reporting that they're more excited about what they're learning. They feel more connected, and they’re really excited about the opportunities to collaborate with one another.”

Anne Marie Blieszner – High School Literacy Curriculum Specialist, Denver Public Schools 

Ready to Make This Shift in Your District? 

Schedule a consultation with Ed Elements so we can work together to improve your district’s literacy vision.

To learn more about the Odell curriculum, contact our team.

Explore units, sample materials, and culturally responsive design. 

Odell Curriculum | Education Elements 

Written By

Katherine Morgan

Katherine Morgan possesses over a decade of experience in K–12 education, blending classroom expertise with strategic leadership in curriculum implementation. Before transitioning to a sales and consulting role with Ed Elements, Katherine spent seven years in teaching and school leadership roles, which gives her firsthand insight into the challenges districts face. Since 2020, Katherine has partnered with school systems nationwide to evaluate, adopt, and scale high-quality instructional materials—including the Odell High School Literacy Program. Her deep understanding of district decision-making and instructional planning equips her to tailor solutions that align with each community’s unique vision, budget, and timeline. A trusted advisor in the field, Katherine is known for her collaborative approach, combining pedagogical knowledge with a customer-centered mindset. Passionate about sustainable change, she builds long-term partnerships with education leaders to drive meaningful impact in public education.

Rebuilding Literacy Inside Out

The Shift to Student-Centered, Learning-Driven Classrooms

When One-Size-Fits-All Instruction Falls Flat

What Is Student-Centered, Learning-Driven Instruction?