Thursday, May 23, 2024 | 2 a.m.
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When am I ever going to use this?” “Is this for a grade?” These questions echo in classrooms nationwide. As a middle-school math teacher, I’ve sought ways to make my lessons relevant and meaningful to students. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, Nevada has embarked on a transformative journey toward personalized, competency-based education (PCBE), shifting the focus from seat time to mastery of skills and knowledge.
Spearheaded by the Nevada Department of Education, in partnership with EdX and KnowledgeWorks, and with extensive input from stakeholders, including students, educators and community leaders, this initiative marks a significant transition in redefining teaching and learning, and how we measure success in our schools.
Central to this shift is the development of the “Portrait of a Nevada Learner,” a framework outlining essential competencies and skills that students will embody upon graduation. It guides the design and implementation of PCBE systems, tailoring education to meet every learner’s diverse needs and aspirations. Several schools and districts in Nevada already have “design teams that are integrating innovative, portrait-aligned practices into the learning experience.”
As a member of the Nevada Future of Learning Network’s sustainability committee, I recently observed PCBE practices during a visit to New York City schools. This experience highlighted the tangible impact of PCBE on student learning outcomes. It provided invaluable insights into the practicalities of implementing such systems. Shared outcomes, student-led conferences and reframing our language are three recommendations for how to integrate PCBE in our schools and classrooms.
Personalized, competency-based education emphasizes shared outcomes. Imagine schools identifying a set of core competencies that serve as a common thread, effectively weaving together the learning experience across grade levels and subjects. This holistic approach provides clarity and coherence to the curriculum and fosters a sense of collective responsibility among educators and students toward student success.
TYWLS of Astoria has been working to make this shift toward PCBE for over a decade and identified these shared outcomes: Argue, Be Precise, Collaborate, Communicate, Conclude, Create, Discern, Innovate, Investigate and Plan. Witnessing these outcomes was inspiring and formed the backbone of every learning experience. Educators continuously learn and iterate in the design and implementation of PCBE.
Personalized, competency-based education empowers students to take ownership of their learning through student-led conferences. These conferences bridge the gap between classrooms and homes by equipping students with the necessary skills to articulate their progress, make meaningful connections, and demonstrate the relevance of their learning to real-world contexts.
I observed student-led conferences at a middle school and a high school. I was awed by the confidence and clarity with which students articulated their strengths and areas for growth. Armed with evidence from their portfolios, they demonstrated a deep understanding of their learning progression and presented thoughtful plans for addressing the learning challenges they encountered. These conferences exemplified how P/CBE empowers students to participate actively in their education.
Personalized, competency-based education reframes the language of education. Instead of subscribing to traditionally employed metrics like test scores or completed assignments, educators are encouraged to prioritize learning itself. Rather than striving to “improve test scores,” the focus shifts to “improving learning,” fostering a culture where success is measured by students’ ability to demonstrate growth toward mastery of skills and knowledge, and connections within understanding. Likewise, “missing assignments” is replaced with “missing learning,” highlighting the importance of addressing gaps in understanding rather than the completion of tasks.
Nevada’s adoption of PCBE signifies a paradigm shift toward student-centric learning. However, this journey is not without its challenges. It requires fundamentally reimagining traditional educational practices, from curriculum design to assessment methods. It demands a commitment to equity and inclusion, ensuring every student and teacher has access to the resources and support needed to succeed.
Students, educators, families, and communities are ready to harness PCBE’s transformative potential, creating rigorous, relevant and empowering learning experiences for every student. The network stands ready to engage the community in building customized partnerships and leveraging the diverse talents of organizations and individuals; inviting community members to learn more about opportunities for collaboration within the portrait framework.
Jen Loescher is an educator ambassador with the Nevada Future of Learning Network who provides education, training and support to middle-school math teachers.
