GAINING COMPETENCE IN COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION Jason Ellingson

AEA267

October 14, 2013

OVERVIEW

Definitions Examples Competency development Assessments Work in Iowa – past, present, future States leading the way Federal implications Work/Support to come Resources Questions

DEFINITIONS OF CBE What is competency-based education?

Mastery learning Proficiency-based learning Blended learning Personalized learning

Iowa’s definition: Learners advance through content or earn credit based

on demonstration of proficiency of competencies. Some students may advance through more content or earn more credit than in a traditional school year while others might take more than a traditional school year to advance through the same content or to earn credit. Credit may also be earned for out-of-school experiences and/or accomplishments. Students at all grade levels are afforded opportunities for more explicit or intensive instruction or enrichment within the content.

IOWA’S DEFINITIONS

Competency: A competency is an enduring understanding that

requires the transfer of knowledge, skills, and dispositions to complex situations in and/or across content areas and/or beyond the classroom.

Assessment: A variety of methods used to determine where

students are in their learning before, during, and after instruction. All assessments, including examinations, performance tasks, and other evidence of learning must be instructionally sensitive and align with the standards. Assessments, not machine scored, should be scored by educators appropriately licensed and endorsed in the grade level and content area.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN A SCHOOL?

Five principles – Students advance upon mastery Competencies include explicit, measurable, and

transferable learning objectives that empower students

Assessment is meaningful and a positive learning experience for students

Students receive rapid, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs

Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge along with development of important skills and dispositions

CBE IS / IS NOT

Is: Focused on deep essential learning Moving after mastery

Is not: Surface learning Moving as quickly as possible

EXAMPLES OF COMPETENCIES

U.S. History – Students will understand that technological

advancements have both positive and negative impacts on the development of American society.

American Literature – Students will understand that reading nonfiction

and informational texts is an essential means of acquiring, constructing, and expressing knowledge in all school subjects and in succeeding in educational, occupational, civic, social, and everyday settings.

EXAMPLES OF COMPETENCIES

Algebra I – Students will understand that algebra is the

language through which much of mathematics, science, and technology are communicated.

Physical Science – Students will understand that energy can neither

be created nor destroyed but can be stored, transferred or transformed.

COMPETENCY DEVELOPMENT

New Hampshire uses Understanding by Design framework to focus on essential learnings

Uses upper levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy

Uses upper levels of Webb’s Depth of Knowledge

N.H. developed a Competency Validation Rubric

COMPETENCY VALIDATION RUBRIC

HOW IT IS ASSESSED (MASTERY)

This is a great struggle!

New Hampshire is still trying to get consistent assessments. Rose Colby and Linda Darling-Hammond

Many states are looking at Common Core

Project-based learning used often

TIMELINE OF CBE IN IOWA

December 2011 CBE Forum, district waiver

Spring 2012 Iowa Legislative Task Force established

Summer 2012-Fall 2013 CBE task force meetings

June 2013 Iowa ASCD Conference on CBE

October 2013 Brad Buck mentions customized instruction/CBE

as 1 of 3 priorities in School Leader Update

IOWA LEGISLATIVE TASK FORCE

5 Areas of Focus 1. Carnegie Unit to Competency2. Assessments/Accountability3. Professional Development4. Student Learning Plans/Templates5. Technology

First report to Legislature in December 2012

Final report to Legislature in November 2013

NEXT STEPS IN IOWA

Iowa CBE Collaborative 10 districts to pilot implementation $100,000

Additional funds Write competencies ($100,000) Develop assessments ($100,000) Create professional development ($100,000) Study a data management system ($25,000)

Work with CCSSO Innovation Lab Focus on college and career readiness

Iowa ASCD Conference on CBE 2014 Partnering with Iowa Dept of Education

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IOWA’S FUTURE

Writing Competencies Designing Assessments Creating a data management system

TIES already has a personal learning system Coordinating with IHEs

Evaluation of implementation Teacher / leader preparation programs

Expand pilot program

STATES LEADING THE WAY

New Hampshire Nation’s leader, eliminated Carnegie Unit

Oregon Proficiency-based

Maine Proficiency-based

Kentucky Race to the Top winner, focus on innovation

zones Wisconsin

Personalized learning in CESA 1 Iowa

FEDERAL SUPPORT

Race to the Top-District Focus on personalized learning 2012 – 16 winners – over $300 million granted 2013 – grant program just starting

ESEA reauthorization – section focused on CBE

Concern with the accountability requirements Groups –

KnowledgeWorks CompetencyWorks iNACOL National Center for Competency-Based Learning

IOWA ASCD WORK GOALS

Working with AEA 267 Working with AEA 1 to deliver support to

districts Established a

Professional Interest Community within ASCD to discuss implementation

Working with National Center for CBL to develop a partnership for increased support of implementation

CBE Conference – June 23-24, 2014

JASON’S WORK GOALS

Working with CompetencyWorks for blog posts

Working with KnowledgeWorks on federal policy implications

Working with ASCD on Whole Child Initiative connected with CBE

Working with iNACOL on developing CBE teacher leader roles with Iowa’s ed. reform legislation

Working with National Center for CBL as member of board

RESOURCES AND REFERENCES

Iowa ASCD Iowa Dept of Education CompetencyWorks iNACOL KnowledgeWorks National Center for Competency-Based

Learning AEA Agora site #iacomped on Twitter

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITIES

Thank you for this opportunity. I hope there are more.

My contact info: Email: jellingson@collins-maxwell.k12.ia.us Twitter: @jasonellingson