NSEC commissioned researchers to prepare four case studies to identify the opportunities
and challenges of a learning network approach, with the purpose of informing NSEC's
design. This report outlines the findings from those case studies. The report's primary
audience are the designers and members of learning networks in the improving STEM
education space.

The purpose of this report is to explore how a learning network can contribute to better
learning outcomes and practices for their members and foster increased capacity to effect
transformative change to address fundamental barriers. Here we define learning networks
as inter-organizational voluntary collaboratives that nurture professional expertise. Learning
networks are often systems-oriented and non-hierarchical and are attempted when deeply
rooted obstacles to institutional change have proven resistant to both top-down or bottom-up …