Your weekly source of learner-centered inspiration
The month of May marks one year of Bright Spots! I am so grateful to all who have been reading and responding each week, and I want to extend a warm welcome to those who are new to our weekly celebration of learner-centered practices.
To celebrate 1 year of Bright Spots, I hope you’ll join me for a live session
spotlighting Bright Spots from the field on Monday, May 9 at 3 pm PT.
As we enter “testing season”, I am reminded by my own kids, and the educators I connect with, that often the focus on compliance and content coverage rather than learning further drives the “cover, cram, assess, and reteach” mentality. This model has left far too many behind, and even the many who have successfully navigated school remain ill-prepared for the world we live in.
For this week's Bright Spot, I want to highlight how a shift in thinking can inform new and better policies and practices.
With Gratitude, Katie
I'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email to share your Bright Spot this week!
BRIGHT SPOT OF THE WEEK
The Power of a Competency-Based Approach
Brittany Griffin, our Director of Strategic Partnerships, has been working with the State Board of Education in Utah as they dive into their Personalized and Competency-Based Learning framework to deepen understanding of new and better approaches to meet the needs of all students. As they explored the hidden messages of grading and why competency-based approaches are more equitable and effective for all learners, Teresa McEntire acknowledged:
"If we truly want students to master content, then we must follow each student's timetable, not a predetermined pacing guide."
- Teresa McEntire, Utah State Board of Education
At Mona Elementary students and teachers created portraits for each grade level to define the competencies (skills and habits) they would develop that school year. Students set and track goals aligned to these competencies, and feedback is given through clear rubrics.
On a recent Learning Walk, students self-assessed their understanding of math competencies using a rubric. Then, students with similar needs met with their teacher for a mini-lesson that explored targeted concepts in new ways.
As we look toward the future of what is possible, Utah has created an ecosystem of policy and practice that fosters a competency-based approach and allows each learner to get what they need.
Interested in integrating a competency-based approach and framework in your learning context? Let's connect!
Below are some resources to support a competency-based learning approach in your school or district.
1. The power of pairing CBE and PBL. First-hand perspectives from students and practitioners make the case for these synergistic learning approaches and offer tips for success. Read now.
2. Understanding a competency-based approach. Learner-Centered Collaborative's Brittany Griffin shares tips for overcoming the most common objections educators and leaders face when shifting to a competency-based learning approach. Read all about them here.
3. Partner spotlight.Uncover how Mount Vernon School's competency-based approach combined with real-world problem solving prepares students for college and their futures beyond the classroom in this partner spotlight.
LET'S SHARE OUR BRIGHT SPOTS!
How are you meeting the needs of your learners?
Use #LCBrightSpots to share your experiences on social media!
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