The BELE Network

Building Equitable Learning Environments

The BELE Network is a group of education researchers, foundations, intermediaries and their district networks working with educators, policymakers, grantmakers, schools, and school support organizations to innovate and implement learning environments grounded in research and in the science of learning and development. We’re educators and leaders who believe that we can create an education system focused on students, one that prioritizes their learning experience and ensures that they feel valued, engaged, and connected in the classroom.

Why We Exist

A school system is only successful when every student is empowered to pursue their dreams and transform the world.

The Building Equitable Learning Environments (BELE) Network is proving that a positive student experience, where every student feels valued and learns critical skills that prepare them for future success, isn’t just possible—it’s here.

We’re a network of inspired educators, researchers, funders, and nonprofits focused on elevating research-backed best practices and creating the resources and tools to build a better, more positive version of public education in America so every student can unlock their full potential.

What We Do

The BELE Network is redesigning public education to make sure that every student has a high-quality learning experience that helps them thrive inside and outside the classroom. Collectively, we created the BELE Framework, a holistic guide for educators, decision makers and the community on transforming student experiences and outcomes.

Our theory of action is:

APPLIED PRACTICE, SUPPORT & LEARNING: BELE Learning Partners and School Support Organizations partner with districts and charter management organizations to realize the commitments in the BELE Framework in their schools and classrooms.
STRATEGIC COLLABORATION WITH SCHOOLS & DISTRICTS: BELE convenes, collaborates with and shares learnings from Learning Partners and School Support Organizations across the Network.
INFLUENCE & FIELD BUILDING: BELE works to expand the field’s definition of education success to include the aspirations and desired outcomes of young people, their families and communities; raises awareness about systemic barriers that need to be addressed, and highlights effective approaches and practices.
BUILD THE CASE & CREATE PUBLIC DEMAND: BELE raises awareness and builds support for policies and practices that create positive learning experiences through storytelling, research, and trainings.

Our Approach

The BELE Network works to inspire adults to act and provide them with the tools, measures, and policy agendas they need to create a better student learning experience and an education system that reliably produces positive learning and developmental outcomes.

Our priorities are

Student Experiences & Outcomes

Redesigning every aspect of the classroom, from funding to decision-making to teaching practices, through a lens of how students will experience it to better prepare them to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally both.

Policy & Advocacy

Identifying and eliminating policies that cause harm or reproduce inequitable practices for students and staff across our schools and, in their place, co-designing evidence-based policies and practices that increase access to opportunities for all students.

Structures & Practices

Creating structures, practices, and policies that advance positive, data-driven learning practices and leadership among educators, students, and families in support of student outcomes in schools across the United States.

Educators & Communities

Working closely with educators and communities to ensure students and adults have the tools and support they need in and out of school to emerge empowered and with a strong academic foundation.