Competency-Based Learning

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School Choice & Charters Opinion A School Without Bells or Report Cards. Can It Fly?
Students at one private school earn "learning credits" rather than traditional grades. What does that look like?
Rick Hess, September 14, 2023
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8 min read
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States An Inside Look at 1 State's Journey to Transform Its School System
Progress has been slow and uneven, but virtually all states have made some move to adopt competency-based learning.
Libby Stanford, July 26, 2023
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5 min read
Icons of competency skills.
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Assessment Measuring Mastery, Not Seat Time: Here's How Schools Can Make It Work
A new report lays out the nuts and bolts for schools adopting a model that stresses student mastery of skills they need for college and careers.
Libby Stanford, June 29, 2023
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6 min read
Image of a man climbing toward a goal.
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States Every State Now Lets Schools Measure Students' Success Based on Mastery, Not Seat Time
Wyoming became the final state to adopt competency-based education policies when it approved a new pilot program in April.
Libby Stanford, May 31, 2023
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8 min read
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Assessment Opinion Can State Tests Be Useful for Instruction and Accountability?
An assessment company is aiming to eliminate the gap between what local assessments and the respective state test is delivering.
Rick Hess, April 27, 2023
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7 min read
A mastery-based learning program was implemented at Haddam-Killingworth High School in Higganum, Conn., by Principal Donna Hayward. Ms. Hayward was named the 2023 National Principal of the Year by the National Association of Secondary Principals. The vision of the program, created for graduating seniors, is to ensure all students are prepared for college, career, and civic life through multiple and flexible pathways for learning, including mastery-based systems of accountability for student growth. Principal Hayward, center, stands in the school library with four seniors who completed the program (from left), Abby Jones, 17, of Killingworth, Jack Fergusson, 17, of Haddam, Callen Powers, 17, of Haddam, and Anadalay Garcia, 18, of Higganum.
Principal Donna Hayward, center, and graduating seniors (from left), Abby Jones, Jack Ferguson, Callen Powers, and Anadalay Garcia, said they all learned something from the their state's graduation assessment project. They gathered at Haddam-Killingworth High School in Higganum, Conn., on April 20, 2023.
Christopher Capozziello for Education Week
Assessment Fighting Senioritis? This New Requirement Kept a Graduating Class Engaged
These seniors were the first to test a new state requirement to reflect on what they had learned over four years of high school.
Elizabeth Heubeck, April 21, 2023
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6 min read
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College & Workforce Readiness The Head of the Carnegie Foundation Wants to Ditch the Carnegie Unit. Here's Why
The group that made credit-hours the high school standard for more than 100 years says it's time for a new metric of student success.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 8, 2022
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5 min read
Math Course Reports - Class Proficiency
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School & District Management Opinion How Can Education Get Beyond Zero-Sum Schooling?
Author Michael Horn discusses how school leaders might reinvent schooling.
Rick Hess, October 20, 2022
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5 min read
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Assessment Letter to the Editor Grading for Growth Through Competency-Based Education
Competency-based education can better prepare today's children for tomorrow's challenges, writes this letter to the editor.
October 18, 2022
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1 min read
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Curriculum Opinion How New Hampshire High Schoolers Can Earn Credits Essentially Anywhere
A New Hampshire program allows any public or private organization in the state to apply to offer high school credits to students.
Rick Hess, January 27, 2022
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7 min read
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School & District Management Letter to the Editor Educators Must Look to History When They Advocate for Changes
Educators and policymakers must be aware of the history of ideas when making changes in education, says this letter to the editor.
November 16, 2021
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1 min read
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