The Summit board announced that the Summit Learning Platform will be replaced by Canvas starting the 2024-25 school year for all Summit schools because the nonprofit that maintains the platform, Gradient Learning, will no longer be partnering with Summit Public Schools.
The Summit board has intentions on setting up a new LMS (learning management system), referred to as the “Summit Learning Platform 2.0.” Cady Ching and the board shared with us, “The organization who runs the Summit Learning Platform – Gradient Learning – has decided to no longer offer the Summit Learning Platform for the next school year…” Due to this decision, all Summit schools will be unable to use the Summit platform for the 2024-25 school year.
In place of the platform will be Canvas, as they described to have useful functionalities like mobile apps and calendars. In addition, the committee in charge of implementing the new platform has stated that there will be an equivalent replacement for PFAs.
Summit K2 students have expressed concern for the platform change. A sophomore, Citlaly Cruz Hernandez, stated, “Some people say junior year is the hardest… and with the sudden change it might make it even harder depending on how the system changes.” However, she does not find it enough of a reason to transfer.
Similar to Citlaly, Mealya Burks, a current sophomore, said, “My concern is that when they change the curriculum, I’ll flunk and fail.” Mea said that the platform was the only reason they came to Summit K2 in the first place, giving her a reason to transfer out next year.
In regards to this, the Summit board said that, “…we know these changes will bring an adjustment period, and we remain committed to Self Directed Learning, Project Based Learning, Expeditions and Mentorship as core elements of the Summit experience.” They believe that the new LMS will work to improve the Summit Learning student experience rather than minimize its effectiveness
Two teachers that we interviewed expressed both concern and excitement for this change as well. The Spanish 1 teacher, Mrs. Mendez, stated that she was interested in a replacement for PFAs because she believes that students do not take them as seriously as they should. Ms. O, the Math 2 teacher, was overall excited for the change as she believes that it will make grading more accurate.
Although the seniors will not be with Summit K2 next year, they still expressed that they had strong feelings about the platform change. When asked how he felt about the change, Senior Council President Tosh de Guzman stated, “They had perfected it. The platform has changed since I’ve been here in 7th grade . . . A part of me is a little bit glad that I don’t have to go through the changes.” He also said that, “I would be concerned about the grading system changing because I’ve gotten used to it at this point; the way they have it right now is set up for student success, especially self-directed learning. I’m not sure how well another platform would be able to fit Summit’s learning vision.”
(Cover Photo Credit: Alex Romo)
