In June 2025, Pennsylvania educators, policymakers and thought leaders convened at the Pennsylvania Personalized Learning Summit to align on a Portrait of a Learner, school structure and professional learning. (Photo by Lori Phillips, KnowledgeWorks)

From Policy to Practice: Personalized Learning Takes Root in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania educators, policymakers and thought leaders convened to align on a Portrait of a Learner, school structure and professional learning

The 2025 Pennsylvania Personalized Learning Summit marked a pivotal moment in the state’s journey toward educational innovation. Held in June, the summit brought together educators, policymakers and thought leaders to explore the transformative potential of personalized learning across Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Innovation Guide: a roadmap and a catalyst for change

Central to the event was the unveiling of the Pennsylvania Innovation Guide, a collaborative effort between KnowledgeWorks and Remake Learning, designed to bridge policy and practice in meaningful, actionable ways.

The Pennsylvania Innovation Guide serves as both a roadmap and a catalyst for change. Developed through focus groups and interviews with school and district leaders, the guide introduces key personalized learning concepts and showcases real-world examples from Pennsylvania school districts. Its structure is thoughtfully organized into six core areas:

  1. Pennsylvania policy landscape
  2. Profile of a Learner creation
  3. Resources and partnerships
  4. School structure
  5. Career-connected learning
  6. Professional learning

Each of these areas was explored in depth during a 2025 Pennsylvania Personalized Learning Summit workshop session. Participants were encouraged to select a focus area, reflect on its relevance and collaborate in small groups to identify actionable ideas.