Emerging science tells us an optimistic story about the potential of all learners. It tells us that brain development is adaptable and influenced by life experiences—that is, settings and conditions affect how people grow throughout their lives. With these scientific understandings and growing knowledge from education research, there is an opportunity to support transformation of the various settings that support learning and development so that each and every young person has the opportunity to thrive.

These three playbooks seize this opportunity by articulating shared design principles that foster innovation and effective practice across the learning ecosystem—from community-based learning environments and K–12 schools to the preparation of the educators who work within them. Together, they offer a coherent framework—the Guiding Principles for Equitable Whole Child Design—to guide educational change in these distinct yet complementary contexts. The principles illustrate how systems, institutions, and adults can implement structures and practices aligned with the science of learning and development to support deeper learning, equity, and thriving for all young people.