Show What You Know
Our traditional system of measuring and credentialing learning, which we have relied on for over 100 years, can no longer adjust quickly enough to continue preparing our students for success in a world quickly changing as a result of technologies like AI. Traditionally underserved students are likely to suffer the worst from this shift.
Competency-based school models take advantage of new tools and strategies to enable students to learn at their own pace, any time, and everywhere, and if designed with a focus on equity they hold great promise for improving learning for all students. The shift from marking time to ‘show what you know’ and ‘move on when ready’ will take a generation to become widespread, but it has the potential to better prepare more young people for the innovation economy. This series explores where we’re at in (and ways to accelerate) this shift.
Show What You Know: A Parent’s Guide to the Global Shift to Competency
Examples of Mastery Thresholds to Enable Mastery Learning in Multiple Subjects
Demonstrating and Assessing Mastery, and Managing Mastery Learning Data
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This podcast highlights developing trends in K-12 education, postsecondary and lifelong learning. Each week, Getting Smart team members interview students, leading authors, experts and practitioners in research, tech, entrepreneurship and leadership to bring listeners innovative and actionable strategies in education leadership.
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The Case For Competency-Based Education
The global shift to competency is underway. It will better enable us to meet students where they are, ensure that they get what they need, and help them tell their unique story. Everyone involved in education has opportunities to help make the transition faster, better and more equitably.
The Case for Competency as a New Equity Agenda
By: Tom Vander Ark and Mary Ryerse. What if our education system was designed with a commitment to equity at the forefront, and was set up to help all students achieve at high levels? This post makes the case for competency-based education as a valuable tool for achieving this goal.
Show What You Know: A Landscape Analysis of Competency-Based Education
Our new report, commisioned and published today by XQ, provides an in-depth look at the current status of competency-based education in the U.S., barriers impeding its adoption, and reflections on some of the more complex transition issues.
CBE Supports at the School, Teacher and Student Levels
Getting Smart will soon be part of a panel at the iNACOL Symposium that will focus on competency-based education, and will also be part of a release of a forthcoming report on the topic. This post highlights a brief selection of our findings.