UCLA Lab School

In 1960, UCLA Lab School embarked on an exciting journey with John I. Goodlad at the helm. Goodlad, a champion of non-graded education, infused the school with innovative practices like team teaching and multi-age grouping. These approaches, nurtured at UCLA Lab School, rippled across the educational landscape of the United States. The school’s influence further amplified under Madeline Hunter’s leadership from 1962 to 1982. Hunter’s Instructional Theory into Practice, a direct instruction model, became a cornerstone in thousands of schools nationwide. Educators flocked to UCLA Lab School, sometimes 15,000 in a single year, to witness this model in action. During the 1980s, Richard C. Williams and Hal Hyman steered UCLA Lab School through the era of school reform. They experimented with restructuring, empowering teachers, and encouraging collaborative decision-making. Teacher work groups were formed to enhance curriculum development across various subjects and age levels. The Extended Day Program, integrating the school’s progressive philosophy, was also established. The 1990s marked a new chapter with the establishment of CONNECT, a research center within the elementary school. CONNECT fostered collaboration between teachers, UCLA faculty, and graduate students, focusing on improving education for diverse student populations. In 2009, the school’s name officially changed to UCLA Lab School, solidifying its identity as a hub for research and public engagement. UCLA Lab School has consistently pioneered innovative educational approaches. Their Safe School system, developed in the 1990s, integrated character education and conflict management. The school also embraced technology integration early on, partnering with NCREL and the Department of Defense Schools to develop tech-integrated curricula. The Learning in Two Languages program (LITL), established in 1994, evolved into the Dual Language Program, promoting bilingualism, biliteracy, and biculturalism. UCLA Lab School continues to champion inclusivity, ensuring a welcoming environment for learners of all abilities. Their developing inclusion model aims to share these practices broadly, impacting education beyond their own walls.