What Does It Look Like: Student Ownership, Voice and Choice in a Competency-Based School

As more districts become curious about competency education, they want to see what it look like in the classroom. Of course competency education doesn’t look one way — it varies based on the degree schools are using blended learning, how they are personalizing education, how student-centered, how project-based the school is, and the design and culture of the school . However, you can certainly get a feel for what is possible by watching videos, listening to students and teachers reflect upon their experiences. So we’ve pulled together a few — most of these schools emphasize student-centeredness or personalization.  You can find other videos and blog posts about competency education In the Classroom on the wiki.

Overview

• Mrs. Ford Explains Her Student-Centered High School Science Class – Education Achievement Authority and Matchbook Learning
  
• Student Ownership, Voice and Choice – RSU 16 – Elm Street School – Maine Center for Best Practices
• At Their Own Pace: Student Voice and Choice, James H. Bean Elementary School, Sidney – Maine Center for Best Practices
• Owning Their Own Reading:Learner-Centered Literacy, Elm Street School – Maine Center for Best Practices

Unpacking the Standards and Learning Targets

• Students Unpack a Learning Target and Discuss Academic Vocabulary – from Expeditionary Learning
• Students Unpack a Learning Target (4th and 5th Graders) – From Expeditionary Learning
• Students Discuss the Power of Learning Targets – From Expeditionary Learning
• Unpacking the Standards: A Teacher’s Perspective, Williams Elementary School, Oakland – Maine Center for Best Practices

Student-Led Conferences

• Kindergarten Student-Led Conference – Expeditionary Learning
• Middle School Student-Led Conference – Expeditionary Learning
• High School Student-Led Conference – Expeditionary Learning
• Principal Describes Student-Led Conferencing – Expeditionary Learning

Students Tracking Their Progress

• Students Own Their Progress – Using Data with Students – Expeditionary Learning
• Strategies for Monitoring Progress – Checking for Understanding – Expeditionary Learning
• Finding Your Way:The Learner-Centered Dashboard, Hall-Dale Middle School – Maine Center for Best Practices

Students Supporting Each Other

• Students Inspired by the Work of Other Students Expeditionary Learning
• Peer Assessment: Reflections From Students and Teachers – Students at the Center
• Self-Assessment: Reflections From Students and Teachers – Students at the Center
• Assessing Their Own Work: Students as Active Participants, Massabesic Middle School, Waterboro – Maine Center for Best Practices
• Dr. Heidi Andrade Reflects on Self and Peer Assessment – Students at the Center