Mastery as with PBL, comes in many forms and it too is starting to take hold at independent schools across the K-12 spectrum: these variations include standards-based, competency-focused, meta-skills driven, proficiency-based, data-driven, portfolio-based, and GPA dependent/independent to mention a few.

The implications of a school wide approach to competency/mastery based learning are significant. They usually require an in-depth review of the curriculum in order to identify skills and competencies, the formulation of performance indicators for skills or rubrics of progression evidence, they imply the ability for a student to take more control of pacing, they often require greater formative assessment bank development, and they involve educating parents and students on the benefits.

And we are seeing differences in emphasis at public schools and private schools. In public schools, the demands of equity and the heterogeneity of the student body places an increased burden on teachers in a competency environment: this often necessitates a lot of data use and team teaching environments in larger class rooms. In independent schools with smaller class sizes this is less of an issue and there are greater time opportunities for personalization.

In the K-8 world we are seeing the introduction of student portfolios and skills-based rubrics without letter grades in independent schools, particularly in middle schools. The use of standards-based grading is starting to become much more popular in secondary schools but with letter grades and a GPA still part of the equation. This is similar to the practice in public schools that still correspond proficiency to GPA bands.

Enjoy these videos and learn more.

View OESIS-XP Recording: Omnibus Multi-Language Mastery Approaches With Matt Bavone, High School Latin Teacher and Tech Integrator at St. Luke's School (CT)

View OESIS-XP Recording: Collaborative Mastery Learning for Freshman Mathematics with Kate Hoff, Math Department Chair at Northfield Mount Herman (MA)

Source: OESIS 2017 Learning Innovation Report of 254 Independent Schools

These two charts from our recent research show the increasing emphasis on PBL in independent schools.

Source: OESIS 2017 Learning Innovation Report of 254 Independent Schools

View OESIS-XP Recording: Cross-Curricular 21st Century Skills across K-12 Curriculum Dr. Deborah Dowling, Assistant Head for Academic Affairs at Chadwick School (CA)

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