Competency-Based Learning

Learn more about an instructional model where students work at their own pace to meet specific learning goals or competencies

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A collage of two faceless students sitting on an open book with a notebook and laptop. All around them are numbers, math symbols and pieces of an actual student transcript.
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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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School & District Management Opinion Graduation Must Depend on Learning, Not Time
We’re long overdue to redesign our education system around competency, argue six superintendents. Here’s what that could look like.
Morcease Beasley, Alberto Carvalho, William Hite, Jesus Jara, Monica Goldson & Jerry Almendarez, October 12, 2021
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5 min read
Dave Peters, Director of Student Services for Everett Public Schools, outside the district office on March 2, 2021.
Dave Peters, director of student services for Everett Public Schools in Washington, saw the value of teacher collaboration during the pandemic.
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School & District Management Lessons From the Pandemic That Can Improve Leading and Teaching
Video feedback, prioritizing student well-being, and deeper grade-band collaboration have proven promising, educators say.
Denisa R. Superville, March 16, 2021
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8 min read
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Classroom Technology The Mastery vs. Seat-Time Debate Takes Center Stage Under Remote Learning
Emphasizing mastery of a subject over time spent in a classroom has become more relevant during COVID-19. But will that lead to big changes?
Mark Lieberman, November 4, 2020
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9 min read
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Student Achievement One Big Barrier to Personalized Learning: Time
Encouraging students to work at their own pace is a worthy goal, educators say, but difficult to pull off due to rigid school schedules and other barriers.
Sarah Schwartz, November 5, 2019
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8 min read
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Special Education Opinion How Our District Reimagined Special Education
We should have one nimble education system that serves all students, writes Colorado educator Steve Sandoval.
Steve Sandoval, September 16, 2019
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4 min read
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