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  2. EDU T558

Personalization in Education: Theory, Practice and Systemic Change
EDU T558

Course Information

Description

This course explores the definition, theory and practice of personalization in schooling and, more broadly, in child development. It examines personalization as a system design challenge, aiming to customize, increase and focus attention on student strengths and needs while building supportive relationships and engaging in strategies to meet needs and increase success. The course views personalization as a strategy to increase student success through customized attention, comprehensive plans, integrated supports, access to enriching opportunities and the development of individualized pathways to success. The course will provide an overview of the current practice and discourse on personalization. We examine research on personalization and human variation as the basis for the design premise and consider multiple models for addressing this variation, especially EdRedesign’s Success Planning strategy. We will explore the benefits and limitations of academically focused models relying on edtech and AI. We will look the challenges of deepening and broadening the practice of personalization. We focus on the systemic changes required to truly personalize education including governance, professional development, evaluation, and scaling: what it takes to move personalization from isolated pilots to durable, equitable practice at scale. Classes will include discussions of readings, structured writing, design studio work, case analyses, and guest speakers. Students will complete a final paper/proposal and deliver an oral presentation in the final class.

Class Notes

Permission of instructor required. More information will be posted on the course website. Students interested in enrolling in the course should complete the course application form T558 Application by 8:00 PM Eastern Time on Friday, August 28, 2026, and request instructor permission in my.harvard.edu.  Students will be notified of admission to the course the morning of Monday, August 31, 2026. 

Students who apply after the course application deadline with be considered on a rolling basis until we reach our course capacity.  Please reach out to arielle_cline@gse.harvard.edu with any questions. 

School Graduate School of Education
Credits 2
Cross Reg

Available for Harvard Cross Registration

Department Education
Course Component Regular Course
Instruction Mode In Person
Subject Education
Grading Basis HGSE Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory
Learning Goals Develop a conceptual understanding of the theory of personalization in education and child development. Become familiar with the state of the art in the practice personalization. Develop familiarity with the research base on personalization and relationships Distinguish between different forms of personalization Develop an understanding of EdRedesign’s Success Planning initiative. Critically evaluate strategies and tools for implementing personalization. Assess the viability of personalization as a paradigm shift in American education. Understand the strategies and challenges for scaling the practice of personalization into a transformative change in education
Career Focus

Teachers, School Administrators, School System Leaders, Policy Analysts and Leaders, Researchers, Innovators