What to Expect at a Learn4Life Change Action Network (CAN) Meeting

What are CANs?

CANs are a diverse group of people from across metro Atlanta who want to improve educational outcomes and address disparities for students, especially for traditionally underserved populations. 

Through collective action, L4L’s CANs engage in a cycle that includes:

• Convening community partners over lunch
• Reviewing local educational data 
• Analyzing factors around successful strategies
• Visiting schools that are beating the odds 
• Identifying strategies that are working; we call these Bright Spots 
• Developing action plans to scale Bright Spots across metro Atlanta

L4L CANs collaborate to improve three key areas: Early Literacy, Eighth Grade Math, and Postsecondary Success. 

If you have an interest in improving student outcomes in metro Atlanta through collaboration and shared understanding, you have a place at L4L’s CANs. These bi-weekly meetings also offer opportunities to connect and network. 

What Happens During CAN Meetings?

At a CAN meeting, you’ll meet with folks representing nonprofits, businesses, philanthropy, school districts, and higher education, as well as parents and students. L4L serves lunch and you’re encouraged to spend time getting to know new friends before and after the meeting. 

Once the meeting starts, L4L shares educational data for CAN members to analyze. We then often hear from experts on the day’s topic and break into discussion groups. During the discussion, CAN members work together to guide Bright Spot’s strategy growth and continuous improvement. At each meeting, you can expect to learn, ask questions, and contribute your unique insights.

How Do I Join and Participate in CANs?

All are welcome to join L4L’s CANs.  If you are interested in joining to improve educational outcomes, sign up here. Once you sign up, you’ll receive calendar invites with dates and times. CANs generally meet about once a month. 

• The Early Literacy CAN works to improve 3rd grade students’ reading levels since this is the grade students move from learning to read to reading to learn. 
• The 8th Grade Math CAN’s goal is to increase proficiency in pre-algebra, which is the foundation of 9th grade algebra–the class most predictive of high school graduation.  
• The Postsecondary Success CAN works to improve postsecondary enrollment, persistence, and completion because more than 60% of jobs will require education beyond high school by 2025.

L4L CANs are held on the 10th floor of 191 Peachtree Street SE. Lunch and parking validation is provided, and parking instructions can be found here.