CompetencyWorks | June 2022

June 22, 2022

This newsletter shares recent CompetencyWorks blog posts and Aurora Institute resources, providing thought leadership and practical lessons from the field to support transformation toward personalized, competency-based K-12 schools and systems.

Laurie Gagnon, CompetencyWorks program director. Laurie smiles at the camera, wearing a black top and green sweater.

Hello From the New CompetencyWorks Program Director

In her first post in this new role of CompetencyWorks Program Director, Laurie Gagnon shares initial thoughts about what will guide her as she learns and grows with the field. She explores ideas ranging from centering the experiences of students and teachers to rethinking assessment to believing in the possibility of competency-based education to prepare each student to navigate a complex world.

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Competency-Based Education Across America

CompetencyWorks updated its compendium of more than 200 blog posts highlighting competency-based education from school visits and interviews in 28 states. Schools, districts, and support organizations have used these inspiring accounts of local reforms to inform deeper competency-based learning and systems change in their own settings.

A map of competency-based education policies across the United States

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Using Competency Performance Levels as Predictors of College Persistence in Competency-Based Schools

How do we truly measure the impact of the education our schools are providing and whether or not we are successfully preparing students for life after high school? Sandra Moumoutjis shares initial findings that competency performance levels predicted college persistence better than SATs or state tests for the first three graduating classes of the Building 21’s Allentown HS.

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4 teachers gathered around a computer talking

A teacher and a student stand outside, talking, while a student writes in a notebook.

The Primary Person Model and Transformative Learning Experiences at Opportunity Academy

In the first of a two-post series, Eliot Levine shares insights from a visit to Opportunity Academy in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where multiple graduation pathways, competency-based and project-based learning, advisory systems, and flexible scheduling re-engage youth who need an alternative pathway to thrive. Learn how each student has support from a caring adult who is invested in their growth and well-being.

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A teacher holds a plant in front of 3 students as they inspect it under a microscope.

Strategies for Responsive Pacing at the Success Center

Dig deeper into two key aspects of competency-based education—enabling students to make progress with varied pacing and upon demonstrated mastery (rather than seat time). The second post about Holyoke Opportunity Academy explores how the Success Center utilizes varied course structures, innovative scheduling, tracking progress transparently, and SEL support.

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For more news and updates in K-12 competency-based education, sign up for our monthly newsletters and follow the Aurora Institute on Twitter: @aurora_inst.

About CompetencyWorks

CompetencyWorks is an initiative that provides information and knowledge about competency-based education in the K-12 education system. Drawing on lessons learned by innovators and early adopters, CompetencyWorks is an online resource for sharing knowledge, original research and policy advances, and a variety of field perspectives. CompetencyWorks provides an informative blog with practitioner knowledge on key topics and papers on emerging issues, with resources curated from across the field of K-12 competency-based education.

Contact: Laurie Gagnon
[email protected]

CompetencyWorks | Aurora Institute