#Japan #Yamagata #Non-Cognitive Skills #Ai GROW #Sakata Nishi

A Pathbreaking Initiative at Sakata Nishi High School

On June 10, 2026, Sakata Nishi High School in Yamagata Prefecture became the first public school in the Tohoku region to have all 35 faculty members undergo training and assessment on non-cognitive skills using the 'Ai GROW' tool. Developed by the Institution for a Global Society (IGS), this assessment tool aims to evaluate often overlooked skills such as expression, adaptability, and self-efficacy, which are crucial for student development.

Background of the Initiative

As educational models shift towards comprehensive evaluation methods, non-cognitive abilities have gained prominence, especially amidst growing interest in inquiry-based learning and digital transformation (DX). The Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) emphasizes the importance of fostering qualities like initiative, diversity, and collaboration in students. For this reason, schools nationwide are now grappling with how best to assess and utilize non-cognitive skills in the educational process.

Sakata Nishi High School has been recognized as a 'DX High School' by MEXT, indicating its commitment to progressive educational practices. This initiative marks the third year of student assessments using 'Ai GROW', but it is notable that this is the first time all teaching staff participated in the assessment to foster a deeper understanding of these essential skills.

Details of the Training Program

The training session on June 10 was not merely a routine assessment; it promoted an interactive environment for teachers to share feedback based on their individual test results. This session aimed to facilitate understanding among educators of how to cultivate these non-cognitive competencies within their students. The workshop was facilitated by Kazunari Yabe, a director of IGS's Education Solutions Department.

Training Objectives

• - Date of Implementation: June 10, 2026, from 15:40 to 17:00
• - Participants: All 35 faculty members, including the principal and vice-principal
• - Content: Peer feedback and training based on 'Ai GROW' assessment results.

Unique Features of This Initiative

This groundbreaking approach can be broken down into key characteristics:
1. Comprehensive Participation: The entire faculty, including administrative leadership, engaged with the 'Ai GROW' tool, setting a precedent in the Tohoku region.
2. Utilization of National Funding: By leveraging government resources, the school pursued advanced educational practices aimed at improving student outcomes.
3. Two-Tiered Educational Model: With students in their third year of assessment and teachers just starting, the initiative creates a structured model for teaching non-cognitive skills.
4. Reflective Learning: Teachers participating in assessments encouraged mutual understanding and a common language around non-cognitive competencies, thus enriching their teaching methodologies.

Educator Insights

Principal Emi Saito remarked, “By focusing on our strengths during the workshop, we fostered a positive environment where we can share and grow together, reflecting on who we are as part of a team. To effectively promote the non-cognitive growth of our students, it is essential that we, as educators, immerse ourselves in the process.”

The Need for Visualizing Non-Cognitive Abilities

As educational priorities evolve, there's a pressing need for visibility into students' non-cognitive capacities, particularly those that cannot be quantified through traditional testing methods. Assessing aspects like initiative and collaboration allows teachers to identify each student’s unique qualities and tailor their instruction accordingly.

Data-Driven Insights

Traditionally, understanding students has relied heavily on subjective observations from educators. However, by integrating data-driven assessments, schools can identify hidden strengths in their students. This shift not only equips educators, regardless of their experience level, to deliver personalized instruction but also enriches overall classroom management and career guidance.

Transforming the Educational Environment

The 'Ai GROW' tool assesses 25 competencies related to collaborative skills, self-efficacy, problem-setting skills, and more. Engaging teachers in the evaluation process allows them to confront data-driven insights alongside their students, thereby implementing these insights more effectively across educational practices. This collaborative environment fosters a shared language around competencies and encourages an engaged educational atmosphere, which is crucial for sustainable school administration.

Finally: What is Ai GROW?

Ai GROW is an innovative tool developed by IGS to measure non-cognitive skills within educational institutions. Utilizing proprietary algorithms to remove evaluation biases, it provides a fair and objective assessment process. With over 630 schools already implementing this platform as of March 2026, Ai GROW is helping revolutionize the way educators assess student and teacher competencies.

Visit the Ai GROW website for more information: Ai GROW Official Site

About IGS

The Institution for a Global Society (IGS) is committed to visualizing competencies and skills that are critical for success in society. Founded in May 2010, IGS has played a significant role in transforming educational paradigms through innovative solutions aimed at both schools and businesses. To contact IGS or learn more about their services, visit IGS Corporate Site.