Report – From State Commitment to District Implementation: Approaches and Strategies for Personalized, Competency-Based Learning

This report came across my electronic desk in the past couple of days.  Haven’t had time to dig into it, but I figured that it was likely of interest to some readers.

From State Commitment to District Implementation: Approaches and Strategies for Personalized, Competency-Based Learning

Mark Duffy, Mary Eddins

Date: June 2022

K-12, Personalized & Competency-Based Learning

From State Commitment to District Implementation: Approaches and Strategies for Personalized, Competency-Based Learning was informed by an array of qualitative sources from four study states (Arizona, Nevada, North Dakota, and South Carolina). Partnering with KnowledgeWorks, each of these states has a commitment to personalized, competency-based learning transformation statewide, with the goal of scaling the work from an initial cohort of sites to a broader set of districts. Research for Action partnered with KnowledgeWorks to document and analyze how personalized, competency-based learning is taking hold in these states and the initial cohort of school districts implementing the work to develop cross-state lessons learned to inform the study states as well as the wider field.

The report provides analyses based on state and district level data, and is divided into six sections:

1. Study States and their Partnerships with KnowledgeWorks: A brief overview of the personalized, competency-based learning efforts in each of the study states and equity considerations across the states.
2. Creating State Level Conditions that Support Personalized, Competency-Based Learning: A roadmap of decision points and state strategies to create state level conditions to support personalized, competency-based learning.
3. State Supports for Local Implementation: A Cross-State Analysis: A comparative analysis of state strategies to support district implementation of personalized, competency-based learning.
4. Cross-District Analysis of Implementation: A district level analysis exploring implementation across six districts in three of the study states.
5. Lessons Learned for the Field on Implementation at the District Level: Based on district level analysis, we provide lessons learned for study sites and the larger field.
6. Recommendations for State and District Leaders and Next Steps: Recommendations from both the state and district level analyses and potential next steps for the research.

Tony Bates in the OLDaily

Over the past couple of days, there have been a couple of items related to Tony Bates – a scholar of online learning in Canada – posted in Stephen Downes’ OLDaily.  Both items have had some or a complete focus on the K-12 setting, so I wanted to pass them along to reader of this space.

Successful competency-based learning in a California school system

Tony Bates, Online learning and distance education resources, Jan 05, 2022

Tony Bates summarizes this article from the Hechinger Report on competency-based learning in a California school district. There’s some discussion about the planning and personalization, and then this: “Almost 90 percent of the district’s students and their families have access to free internet at home, as a result of the city providing free community Wi-fi.” Bates comments, “I was also interested to learn that this model worked best for younger and more disadvantaged students during the pandemic, compared with comparable school systems who moved more traditional classes online.” A lesson, maybe, for Ontario?

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post]

Groundhog day in online learning? What’s different this time

Tony Bates, Online learning and distance education resources, Jan 07, 2022

Tony Bates says what I said, but much more diplomatically: “Government action regarding improving Internet access though is still terribly slow here in Canada. Much more urgency is required. Even more concerning appears to be the lack of learning in the k-12 system, especially by administrators, about the best way to provide online learning for school children. Apparently some are still requiring students to spend up to six hours a day on Zoom calls… After nearly two years, this failure to adapt teaching methods to what is appropriate for online learning in school systems is becoming inexcusable.”

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post]

Be sure to check out both entries.

CompetencyWorks Releases Levers And Logic Models: A Framework To Guide Research And Design Of High-Quality Competency-Based Education Systems

And from the neo-liberals…

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Dear Colleagues, Today, CompetencyWorks released a new report, Levers and Logic Models: A Framework to Guide Research and Design of High-Quality Competency-Based Education Systems.  Competency-based education is designed to ensure all students develop the skills they will need to be successful for college, career and life. Competency education is gaining momentum and visibility across the country as districts and schools transition to it using various entry points and roll-out strategies. It is critical, therefore, that new models be designed with quality and equity to realize the promise of this system. Logic models are tools used to conceptualize organizations, programs or strategies to bring about change and to support the evaluation of effectiveness. The logic models presented in this paper are intended to help researchers and practitioners understand the critical components of competency-based education at multiple levels of practice. The paper uses logic model frameworks to convey relationships between essential levers (outcomes, drivers and mediating factors) that inform the design of competency-based education systems and criticalcomponents of competency-based practice at four interdependent levels (student experience, professional practice of educators, district and school systems and culture). Susan Patrick, CompetencyWorks Co-Founder and iNACOL President and CEO, said, “The logic model framework provides illustrations of competency-based education systems that guide practitioners in developing high-quality models and researchers in exploring critical questions in the field.” Chris Sturgis, CompetencyWorks Co-Founder, said, “As educators and leaders continue to advance the field of competency education, this logic model report can be utilized as a guide for high-quality implementation that breaks down critical components for all levels of practice.” Download a full copy of Levers and Logic Models: A Framework to Guide Research and Design of High-Quality Competency-Based Education Systemshere. For more information about CompetencyWorks, a project of iNACOL dedicated to advancing K-12 competency education, please visit CompetencyWorks.org. About CompetencyWorks CompetencyWorks is an online resource dedicated to providing information and knowledge about competency education in the K-12 education system. Drawing on lessons learned by innovators and early adopters, CompetencyWorks shares original research, knowledge and a variety of perspectives through an informative blog with practitioner knowledge, policy advancements, papers on emerging issues and a wiki with resources curated from across the field. CompetencyWorks also offers a blog on competency education in higher education so that the sectors can learn from each other and begin to align systems across K-12, higher education and the workplace. Visit the website and follow CompetencyWorks on Twitter: @CompetencyWorks. About iNACOL The mission of iNACOL is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter.

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CompetencyWorks Releases New Report On Meeting Students Where They Are In K-12 Competency-Based Education Systems

Note this item from the neo-liberals.

To view this email as a web page, go here.

Dear Colleagues, Today, CompetencyWorks (@CompetencyWorks), an initiative of iNACOL, released a new report, Meeting Students Where They Are. This paper explores how K-12 competency-based schools and districts can more effectively meet students where they are, fully preparing students for success in college, career and life. Competency-based education (CBE) models are organized to advance learning, starting with where students are in terms of academic, cognitive and lifelong learning skills (growth mindset, habits of work and learning, metacognition, and social and emotional skills). The models stand in stark contrast to traditional education systems, which use a one-size-fits-all approach to delivering grade-level content. Meeting Students Where They Are, written by Antonia Rudenstine, Sydney Schaef, Dixie Bacallao and Sarah Hakani of reDesign, provides school and district leaders with an in-depth exploration of the relational, pedagogical and structural dimensions of meeting students where they are in K-12 competency-based education systems. Competency-based education models, designed to ensure equity for all students, are gaining momentum nationally. Central to CBE is a commitment to meet students where they are. The report provides strategies for practitioners in K-12 competency-based models to meet students where they are on a variety of dimensions and maximize the potential of each student’s unique skills and interests. Susan Patrick, CompetencyWorks co-founder and iNACOL President and CEO, said, “Educators across the country are transforming their schools and designing new models to create more student-centered, equitable environments. Creating learning environments that truly meet students where they are is critical to the success and sustainability of this transformation.” Antonia Rudenstine, reDesign Director said, “Meeting students where they are requires a potent mix of a commitment to equity; a belief in the power of students’ wisdom; responsive pedagogy grounded in the learning sciences; a reinvention of learning experiences, curriculum, and learning assets; a reimagining of assessment; and the redesign of schools and classrooms. The complexities of this work are simultaneously exciting and humbling.” Download a full copy of Meeting Students Where They Are. For more information about CompetencyWorks, a project of iNACOL dedicated to advancing K-12 competency education, please visit CompetencyWorks.org. About CompetencyWorks CompetencyWorks is an online resource dedicated to providing information and knowledge about competency education in the K-12 education system. Drawing on lessons learned by innovators and early adopters, CompetencyWorks shares original research, knowledge and a variety of perspectives through an informative blog with practitioner knowledge, policy advancements, papers on emerging issues and a wiki with resources curated from across the field. CompetencyWorks also offers a blog on competency education in higher education so that the sectors can learn from each other and begin to align systems across K-12, higher education and the workplace. Visit the website and follow CompetencyWorks on Twitter: @CompetencyWorks. About iNACOL The mission of iNACOL is to drive the transformation of education systems and accelerate the advancement of breakthrough policies and practices to ensure high-quality learning for all. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter.

This email was sent by: iNACOL 1934 Old Gallows Road, Suite 350, Vienna, VA, 22182-4040 United States

CompetencyWorks Releases New Report on Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education

And from the neo-liberals…

To view this email as a web page, go here.

CompetencyWorks releases Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education.    Today, CompetencyWorks released a new report, Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education. This publication seeks to advance K-12 competency education along four key issues: quality, equity, meeting students where they are, and policy.   K-12 education in the United States and across the world is at a critical point in its evolution, and the demand for competency education has never been greater. The four key issues outlined in this report are critical to enabling competency-based education to scale with quality and sustainability over the long term. The report provides actionable recommendations on how the field can advance through the next wave of innovation and implementation.   The report calls for creating competency-based systems where the culture, structure, policies and instructional practices fully support each and every student in their journey towards preparation for college, career and life.   Susan Patrick, CompetencyWorks Co-Founder and iNACOL President and CEO, said, “K-12 education in the United States and across the world is at a turning point, and we have an opportunity to redesign K-12 education to serve every student. Competency education systems prepare all students to graduate high school with the academic and lifelong learning skills to be leaders in their communities, visionaries, and agents of their own success – whether in college, career, or navigating the opportunities and challenges they will encounter in their lives.”   Chris Sturgis, CompetencyWorks Co-Founder, said, “This report provides deep insights into ensuring equity and quality in the design and implementation of competency-based systems, ensuring that all students are achieving at the highest levels, using their skills to navigate their lives and shape their futures, and discovering their potentials.”   Download a full copy of Quality and Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of Competency-Based Education here.   CompetencyWorks and iNACOL are hosting a webinar highlighting insights from this report on November 8 from 2:00-3:00 p.m. ET. Learn more and register here. For more information about CompetencyWorks, a project of iNACOL dedicated to advancing K-12 competency education, please visit CompetencyWorks.org. Share with your colleagues: New @CompetencyWorks Report: Quality & Equity by Design: Charting the Course for the Next Phase of #CompEd http://ow.ly/1JSn30fZp1x @nacol 4 key issues in #CompetencyEd explored in new @CompetencyWorks report http://ow.ly/1JSn30fZp1x @nacol The iNACOL Symposium, held on October 23-25 in Orlando, will convene 3,000 experts and leaders advancing powerful, personalized, learner-centered experiences and shaping the future of K-12 competency-based education. Register here. About CompetencyWorks CompetencyWorks is an online resource dedicated to providing information and knowledge about competency education in the K-12 education system. Drawing on lessons learned by innovators and early adopters, CompetencyWorks shares original research, knowledge and a variety of perspectives through an informative blog with practitioner knowledge, policy advancements, papers on emerging issues and a wiki with resources curated from across the field. CompetencyWorks also offers a blog on competency education in higher education so that the sectors can learn from each other and begin to align systems across K-12, higher education and the workplace. Visit the website and follow CompetencyWorks on Twitter: @CompetencyWorks. About iNACOL The mission of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning (iNACOL) is to catalyze the transformation of K-12 education policy and practice to advance powerful, personalized, learner-centered experiences through competency-based, blended and online learning. iNACOL is a non-profit organization focusing on research, developing policy for student-centered education to ensure equity and access, developing quality standards for emerging learning models using competency-based, blended and online education, and supporting the ongoing professional development of school and district leaders for new learning models. Visit our website, like us on Facebook, connect with us on LinkedIn and follow us on Twitter.   Stay connected:

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