Mission Vision Strategy

Mission
BIE is dedicated to improving the practice of teaching and the process of learning

Vision
BIE provides leadership and support to teachers, administrators, and partner organizations who are creating schools where

Students

• master core concepts and skills
• manage their own learning as individuals and team members
• solve problems, create new solutions and contribute to society
• use information technology to extend and deepen learning

Teachers

• use problem and project based instruction to engage and motivate students
• collaborate with their peers and use data to improve teaching practice
• have high expectations for their own performance as well as that of their students

Strategy
Our vision is complex and difficult to achieve. BIE must make strategic choices among a variety of attractive options and opportunities. The following principles are used to guide our decisions.

• Achieve national and international impact. BIE's work will provide benefits that "inure to all humankind" in keeping with its founding mandate.
  
  
• Support innovation in education. BIE's philosophical commitments are to innovation rather than "education as usual." Our materials, professional development opportunities, and research studies are guided by a constructivist, student-centered philosophy of learning. We advocate the development of small, intentional learning communities where teachers are mentors as well as instructors, and meaningful learning occurs in the community as well as the classroom. Our thinking and projects should be oriented toward educational innovators and "pioneers" rather than "settlers."
  
  
• Identify and fill niches. BIE projects are designed with attention to what other educational entities (school districts, states, colleges of education, research and development organizations, national subject matter associations, etc.) are already doing. We do not want to duplicate activities competently carried out by others, or try to reclaim conceptual/organizational territory already well occupied (e.g., California Writing Project). Instead, we seek niches where a good idea and a small amount of money can make a difference.
  
  
• Make BIE products and programs freely available. BIE emulates an "open source" model and shares materials and professional development at minimal cost to encourage widespread implementation.
  
  
• Value teachers as collaborators and colleagues. BIE involves practicing teachers, and solicits their advice and feedback at all stages of planning, development and research. In addition, BIE research results are reported using multiple formats so that they are understandable by both practitioners and researchers.
  
  
• Use technology to enhance learning. We believe technology, when judiciously and appropriately used, can automate routine work and simplify complex tasks, deepen learning, and increase student motivation. We will continue to examine whether and how technology can be used cost-effectively in teaching, learning, and research.
  
  
• Form partnerships. BIE is a small organization. We will have a greater impact by working with others. We will form partnerships with other organizations when these associations advance BIE's mission or multiply its impact.
  
  
• Invite Marin teachers and schools to participate in BIE programs. BIE enjoys a special relationship with Marin teachers and schools. BIE turns to the Marin educational system for ideas, advice, and critique of BIE products and training.
  
  
• Evaluate our work continuously. BIE subjects its materials and programs to rigorous evaluation. We measure impacts on student learning and investigate the processes by which these impacts occur. We do this to inform our own program development and to improve educational research and practice.