Despite decades of effort, persistent gaps in K-12 student learning remain a pressing challenge, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on reading and math achievement. While initial recovery efforts focused heavily on supplemental strategies like high-dosage tutoring, it’s clear that real, lasting progress requires more than just add-ons — it demands bold, scalable solutions embedded within the core of classroom instruction. Recognizing this, The Learning Accelerator (TLA) launched the Accelerating Adoption Network (AAN) as part of its Exponential Learning Initiative.
The network aims to accelerate the adoption of technology-enabled, evidence-based innovations that enhance student learning from within the heart of K-12 education, particularly for those furthest from opportunity. By supporting 10 grantees — or “networks” — focused on scaling these innovations, and partnering with Mathematica to rigorously evaluate their implementation and impact, the AAN is not only advancing student outcomes but also uncovering the conditions needed for these innovations to thrive at scale. This work pushes beyond short-term solutions, striving to embed sustainable practices and system-wide change that truly close learning gaps.
Leaders from each of the 10 participating organizations gather regularly to engage in networked-learning communities to collectively develop iterative solutions to common challenges and explore action-based opportunities. Check out the AAN organizations and their team leads below to learn more about how they are driving innovation and tackling shared challenges.
Accelerating Adoption Network Organizations & Team Lead Spotlights
ASU Preparatory Academy (ASU Prep) is scaling “Archie,” an AI-powered tool embedded in their online math practice platform, “Digit,” that uses advanced technologies such as large language models, machine learning, and natural language processing to deliver personalized, real-time feedback, helping students understand Algebra 1 math concepts more effectively.
Meg Grothman, Director of Arizona Impact at ASU Prep, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in mathematics innovation, strategic problem-solving, and global partnership development to our cohort.
Building 21 is scaling an AI Project Builder, which offers step-by-step guidance to students to design personalized projects aligned with competencies and performance levels, and an AI Feedback Tool, which provides immediate, actionable feedback on student projects via the Beacon platform, enabling revisions and skill improvement. These two innovations are seeking to enhance and accelerate learning outcomes in English Language Arts (ELA).
Sandra Moumoutjis, Executive Director of the Learning Innovation Network, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in competency-based education, instructional design, and leadership in change management to our cohort.
Coursemojo is scaling Mojo, which offers the only AI-powered supports aligned to specific high-quality ELA curricula. Mojo takes the static texts and assignments from the High Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM) and transforms them into highly-interactive, differentiated experiences for students, offering them personalized affirmation and feedback and the next “just right” question to push their thinking. Mojo also supports teachers with a live dashboard showing how every student is doing on every question, suggested discussion questions based on areas of misconception, grading support, and trend analysis over time in student work.
Dacia Toll, Co-CEO of Coursemojo, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in building high-performing school systems and educational entrepreneurship to our cohort.
The Lab School of Memphis is scaling its microschool instructional framework called the “Hit Pit” which leverages best practices for high-intensity tutoring (HIT) and personalized independent tasks and teaching (PITT) to strengthen core instruction and produce tailored, flexible, and supportive learning environments that engage the whole learner.
Coi Morefield, Founder and CEO, is the AAN team lead, bringing expertise in instructional design and creating engaging learning experiences that effectively reach and inspire diverse learner populations to our cohort.
LEAP Innovations is scaling their approach to helping schools implement and scale personalized learning through a strategic design-thinking model in which schools identify problems of practice, implement personalized learning strategies, and pilot a curated edtech product that specifically meets their needs. Through professional development, coaching, and regular on-site visits and virtual check-ins, LEAP is seeking to strengthen teacher practices and improve student outcomes in targeted learning areas based on school need.
Colleen Padgett, Senior Innovation Partner, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in innovative education leadership, learner agency, and fostering inclusive, student-centered environments to our cohort.
Magpie Literacy is scaling their K-2 digital reading foundations tool that delivers technology-based instruction grounded in the science of reading and responds directly to students’ unique needs. Magpie’s innovation addresses all of the “Big 6” components of evidence-based literacy instruction in ~40 minutes per week through instructional videos and games. As Magpie expands, their innovation will grow to serve students in grades K-8.
Dr. Leo Bialis-White, Chief Strategy Officer, is the AAN team lead bringing experience in ed tech, venture philanthropy, and school psychology to our cohort.
MindPrint Learning is scaling their intervention and acceleration platform that integrates data from an online, cognitive assessment with school achievement data to provide the most effective personalized strategies. The MindPrint solution enables schools to efficiently and affordably identify student learning strengths and support teachers to effectively use this data to improve outcomes in math, reading, behavior. and executive functions.
Nancy Weinstein, Founder & CEO, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in the science of learning, strategic educational innovation, and interdisciplinary leadership drawn from both corporate and academic realms to our cohort.
PowerMyLearning is scaling their math practice tool, bringing their “Family Playlist” model into the classroom. The math practice tool, PowerMyLearning Playlists, supports students in grades K-2 with mathematical discourse and sensemaking skills, emphasizing problem-solving processes, discussion, and reasoning through curriculum-aligned, hands-on learning games. In each lesson, students record short videos of their responses to discussion prompts which teachers can use as formative assessments to determine next steps for instruction and to accelerate individual student learning.
Emily Amick, Managing Director of Products and Programs, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in student-centered product design that amplifies student voices, fosters meaningful engagement, and empowers educators to facilitate rigorous math instruction to our cohort.
Rock by Rock is scaling their project-based learning platform, an online library of fully planned, interdisciplinary project-based learning experiences and on-demand training for teachers that supports literacy, science and life-habit development for students in grades K-5. Rock by Rock projects leverage core science of reading principles to catalyze literacy development through a blend of online and hands-on learning that empower students to solve real-world problems while also fostering durable, career-ready skills that students need to thrive in life.
Jeff Imrich, CEO & Co-Founder, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in education leadership, project-based learning, and empowering teachers and students to engage with real-world challenges to our cohort.
UK NXGSN is scaling their dual credit program (UK Next Generation Scholars) to include a Deeper Learning Early College (DLEC) model which focuses on supporting schools to increase the development of dual credit programs that provide rigorous and relevant college courses, college level advising and mentoring, and high school supports for deeper learning initiatives. UK NXGSN is also scaling their approach to expanding dual credit access to more high schools by utilizing technology to deliver courses in flexible synchronous formats by qualified teachers and University of Kentucky faculty, to increase instructional supports for students, and is pursuing less restrictive admissions policies.
Neomia Hagans Flores, University of Kentucky Director of Dual Credit, is the AAN team lead bringing expertise in dual credit course implementation, student relationship management, and college readiness support for underserved populations to our cohort.
What’s Next?
In the coming weeks TLA, along with our evaluation partner Mathematica, will be releasing the first brief detailing our early learnings from building system partnerships and early implementation.
See us at ASU-GSV! AAN and the rest of the ELI team will be convening on Sunday, April 6, 2025 to engage in networked learning and will be presenting during The AI Show and mainstage programming:
- The Brass Tacks of Big Ideas: Deploying AI for Learning on April 7th, 11:10 a.m. PT
- Is It Working? Building Evidence to Inform AI Initiatives on April 7th, 1:30 p.m. PT
