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UPCOMING EVENT: FREE WORKSHOP

Teaching Climate Change in ELA and Social Studies

Join us at Massachusetts Institute of Technology on Saturday, May 17th, 2025 for a free workshop on teaching climate change: guest speakers, free curricular resources, group discussions, and more.
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Change leaders: We're with you.

You've got a vision for something better.
A vision that reflects what we now know about how people learn—and what they need to thrive.

CBL Partners helps bring that vision to life. We specialize in translating research into practice through design, professional learning, and strategic communications.
Explore The CBL Method

ABOUT CBL PARTNERS

We help build the future of learning.

We design and pilot learning innovations, promote what works, and partner to accelerate school and system improvement. We believe in excellence, equity, and future-ready learning for all.
DESIGN | PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | CONSULTING | RESEARCH

Programs for Schools: Jumpstart Innovation

We focus on key levers that drive transformation—learning outcomes, assessment systems, technology solutions, and grading & advancement policies. With decades of experience in school and system design, our programs are built for impact and visible results.

PROGRAMS TO HELP YOU MODERNIZE LEARNING.

CBL Partners is here to provide the clarity, expertise, and tailored support to help you lead change with confidence and success as you modernize your learning system.
LEARNING OUTCOMES FRAMEWORK
Ready to modernize your learning outcomes? Let's bring together the best of standards, competencies, and the research on learning to build a coherent, student-friendly learning outcomes framework for your school.
Aerial photograph of five people sitting out a round table working together on a plan to implement competency-based learning during a workshop.
QUALITY ASSESSMENTS: PORTFOLIOS OF LEARNING
Ready to modernize your assessment system? Let's build meaningful, rigorous assessments that showcase students' "portfolio" of knowledge, skills, and measurable growth–while laying the groundwork for flexible advancement.
Performance Assessment Program | CBL Partners Media. Image shows four teenage students sitting at a round table
GRADUATE PROFILE PROGRESS REPORT
Ready to bring your Graduate Profile to life? Through this unique pilot program, you'll access the reporting system, educator training, and implementation support you need to deliver a customized Graduate Profile Progress Report that provides clear, meaningful progress data to students and families.
Photograph of a group of students smiling and sitting together in a circle while a teacher, not clearly shown, is reading a book, in a competency-based learning environment.
EQUITABLE GRADING & REPORTING
Ready to flip the script of industrial-era grading policies? Let's transform your school's approach with human-centered, evidence-based policies and practices that promote growth mindset, student agency, and equity.
CBL Partners Media - Grading and Reporting.

Our Services

We'll build a custom scope of work that meets your budget and aligns to your vision and priorities. Services include:
  • Custom Design - to turn your ideas into actionable models and tools
  • Professional Development - to build shared understanding and capacity
  • Leadership Consultation - to support strategy, change leadership, and implementation
  • Research - to drive continuous improvement and strategic insight

K-12 SCHOOLS

Whether updating your learning model or aligning curriculum to your vision for a graduate—there's no one right way to lead this work.
But there's a right next step for your community.

Let's chart your path together.

YOUTH-FOCUSED NONPROFITS

We help nonprofits improve their program measures, models, and results.

Through custom frameworks and actionable tools, we'll help you define and measure impact in research-informed and human-centered ways.

WORKFORCE LEARNING

Up-skilling and re-skilling are essential to economic security for workers, now and in the future.

We help organizations design, launch, and improve competency-based learning systems tailored to their unique needs.
Schedule a free consultation

Testimonials

FROM THE FIELD

If I were starting a competency-based school or program, Sydney Schaef is the first person I would call.

I will never forget traveling throughout Idaho to visit schools several years ago after the state launched their new Mastery Learning initiative. I couldn't believe the depth of conversations we were having, and I couldn't believe the acceleration of their design and implementation efforts. When I asked, "Where did you learn this?" Everyone I spoke to replied the same: "Sydney!"

I've watched her work over the years–from early startup in Philadelphia alongside Building 21, to providing leadership TA for school leaders and state leaders alike while at reDesign. She has real expertise and knows what it's like to be shoulder-to-shoulder in the work.

Chris Sturgis
Co-founder, CompetencyWorks
FROM THE FIELD

Sydney is a trusted and respected partner for developing graduate profile competencies.

Her deep insights into personalized, competency based learning and strong research background ensure that every element is tailored to the specific needs of the partner organization.

Additionally, Sydney couples her technical expertise with a commitment to incorporating student and teacher voice in the design of robust resources to ensure a learner-centered approach to professional development.

Stephanie DiStasio
South Carolina Department of Education
TESTIMONIALS

Sydney made all the difference for our faculty as we opened our competency-based high school. 

Sydney has an extraordinary ability to connect with teachers from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Sydney brought a wealth of knowledge, drawn from her background and research. But more than that, she brought her full self to every workshop – whether online or in person. She listened deeply, and scaffolded training to suite our distinct school culture and vision.

Sydney’s charisma, brilliance, and unwavering commitment to equity and student agency shone through in every interaction. She is detail-oriented and an amazing multitasker. She continually updated our documents and slide decks in real time, refining and reflecting our ideas back to us with precision and clarity.

Sydney has been a sincere partner with us in our journey to CBE. She aligned with our values and we are all the better for the opportunity to work with her.

Michael Prater
Director of HS Education, Tessellations

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CBL Partners specializes in competency-based learning solutions, powering equity and excellence in K-12 education and beyond.

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