The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) and Gradient Learning have introduced Along, a no-cost digital platform designed to strengthen the bond between educators and students across the United States. This innovative tool empowers teachers to ensure every student feels acknowledged, understood, and valued within the learning environment. Along facilitates meaningful interactions by enabling students to share quick video, audio, or text messages directly with their teachers, fostering open communication about their thoughts and experiences.
Priscilla Chan, co-founder and co-CEO of CZI, emphasized the initiative’s commitment to transforming the education system in partnership with educators and researchers. “We are dedicated to fostering an educational landscape that comprehensively supports all students, with a particular focus on Black, Brown, and Indigenous students,” Chan stated. “We are thrilled to introduce Along, a research-backed tool that nurtures teacher-student relationships, helping educators ensure each student feels seen, understood, and appreciated – a cornerstone of effective learning and overall well-being.”
The development of Along was spurred by insights gathered from educators nationwide during the pandemic. CZI and Gradient Learning collaborated closely with teachers to understand the challenges they faced in accurately assessing student well-being and identifying areas where students needed additional support. These conversations revealed a critical need for tools that could facilitate deeper, more personal connections between teachers and students. Along is founded on the principle that when teachers and students connect on an individual level, students feel more recognized and understood, which positively transforms their engagement and approach to learning.
Andrew Goldin, executive director of Gradient Learning, highlighted the common desire among teachers to connect with each student individually and provide tailored support. “From my own experience and from what we’ve heard from countless teachers, educators are passionate about understanding and supporting each student on a personal level. However, the practicalities of regular, one-on-one interactions can be challenging,” Goldin explained. “Along was created to offer educators a more accessible, flexible, and impactful method for connecting with their students. This allows teachers to spend less time on administrative tasks like scheduling and more time dedicated to student support.”
Research consistently demonstrates that strong teacher-student relationships are crucial for positive student outcomes. These relationships are linked to increased academic engagement and achievement, improved attendance, reduced disruptive behavior and suspensions, and lower rates of students dropping out of school. Along bridges the gap between educational expertise and research-based knowledge, bringing the latest advancements in learning science directly into the classroom to enhance these vital connections.
Kent Pekel, CEO of Search Institute, affirmed the need for tools like Along, stating, “Our studies at the Search Institute have consistently shown that teachers both want and need greater support in building relationships that enhance students’ academic motivation and their success both in school and in life. Along provides a practical solution that achieves this in a straightforward yet highly effective manner.”
Along draws inspiration from the established educational practice of dialogue journals, where students and teachers engage in written communication. It also incorporates findings from resilience research, which emphasizes that having at least one supportive adult relationship is a key factor in a child’s ability to overcome adversity.
How Along Functions
Educators initiate interaction by selecting a reflection question from Along’s library, such as “What is something that you truly value and why?” They then record their own response in a video message and send it to individual students, small groups, or the entire class. Importantly, each student receives the video as a personalized message. Students then view their teacher’s reflection and respond with their own message – using video, text, or audio – which is sent privately back to their teacher. Teachers can easily review all student reflections in one centralized location and engage in follow-up conversations to ensure every student feels heard and understood.
CZI and Gradient Learning are committed to utilizing evidence-based practices from learning science and human development to develop tools like Along. These tools are specifically designed to help educators personalize learning experiences to meet the unique needs of each student. Before its public release, Along was piloted by hundreds of teachers and students across the country, starting in October 2020, demonstrating its practical value and effectiveness in real classroom settings.
To explore Along further and learn more about its features, please visit www.along.org.
About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Founded in 2015, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI) is dedicated to tackling some of society’s most pressing challenges, including disease eradication, education improvement, and addressing local community needs. CZI’s mission is to build a more inclusive, just, and healthy future for all. For additional information, please visit chanzuckerberg.com.
About Gradient Learning
Gradient Learning, a non-profit organization led by educators, serves as a trusted partner to communities, schools, and educators. It develops engaging solutions aimed at meeting the comprehensive needs of every child and fostering universal success. Gradient Learning is committed to empowering the educational system to effectively serve today’s and tomorrow’s students. Their offerings include the Summit Learning program, a research-backed educational approach focused on student engagement, meaningful learning, and strong teacher-student relationships, as well as Along. For more details, visit Gradient Learning.
