Clarity to Competency

Deeper Learning Pathway: Curriculum & Instruction

Monthly Learning: Surface, Deep, Transfer: Redefining Rigor to move towards Competency Based Learning

  • Intended Audience: Leaders of SRSN Districts and State and Regional Organizations, Principals, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

  • Description: This session provides an overview of the rigorous learning that underscores a Competency Based System. It provides an overview of learning complexity, the core instructional, assessment, and learning habits that are required to meet rigorous learning expectations, as well as the learner qualities or dispositions that enable students to leverage competency based education to be assessment capable learners. In addition, this session provides an overview of the organizational leadership that is necessary to engage and sustain a competency based learning approach in their schools and systems. MO Framework CBL Elements to be discussed:

    • 1. Students are empowered daily to make important decisions about their learning experiences, how they will create and apply knowledge, and how they will demonstrate their learning.

    • 4. Students progress based on evidence of mastery, not seat time.

    • 5. Students learn actively using different pathways and varied pacing.

    • 7. Rigorous, common expectations for learning (knowledge, skills, and dispositions) are explicit, transparent, measurable, and transferable.

    • 8.Students engage in Real World Learning experiences that support high school, college, career and workplace readiness.

Session 1: Building and Sustaining Professional Learning within Competency Based Learning

  • Intended Audience: Leaders of SRSN Districts and State and Regional Organizations, Principals, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

  • Description: This session illustrates concrete actions system and site leaders can ensure that the professional learning programs and practices meet the change management needs of a competency based learning approach. MO Framework CBL Elements to be discussed:

    • 2. Assessment is a meaningful, positive, and empowering learning experience for students that yields timely, relevant, and actionable evidence.

    • 3.Students receive timely, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs.

    • 4. Students progress based on evidence of mastery, not seat time.

    • 5. Students learn actively using different pathways and varied pacing.

    • 8. Students engage in Real World Learning experiences that support high school, college, career and workplace readiness.

Session 2: Structuring Competency Based Systems

  • Intended Audience: Leaders of SRSN Districts and State and Regional Organizations, Principals, Instructional Coaches, Teachers

  • Description: This session provides an overview of recommended steps to ensure the right structures are in place to ensure a competency based learning approach can flourish within and across district contexts. MO Framework CBL Elements to be discussed:

    • 5. Students learn actively using different pathways and varied pacing.

    • 6. Strategies to ensure equity for all students are embedded in the culture, structure, and pedagogy of schools and education systems.

    • 7. Rigorous, common expectations for learning (knowledge, skills, and dispositions) are explicit, transparent, measurable, and transferable.

Guest Expert

Michael McDowell

Michael McDowell, Ed.D.
Core Collaborative
Author Consultant

Michael McDowell, EdD was a public school educator for eighteen years serving in the roles of classroom teacher, academic and athletic coach, school principal, assistant superintendent of personnel and instruction, and superintendent. During his tenure as a superintendent, his school district received state and national accolades including the National Blue Ribbon Award which recognized their work for student performance and mental health and well-being in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic by the U.S. Department of Education.

Dr. McDowell serves on numerous boards, served as a college professor, and worked for non-profit organizations to enhance student learning around the world. Over the course of his career, Dr. McDowell has authored bestselling books, created professional learning programs and workbooks, provided keynotes and workshops, and provided practical tools and resources for thousands of teachers and leaders on almost every continent around the world. A prolific author and consultant, Dr. McDowell is recognized as one of the leading authorities on integrating innovative and impactful practices into schools. Offering keynotes and executive coaching to heads of school around the world, he partners with educational leaders to implement high leverage strategies that will enhance teaching and learning in classrooms, schools, and systems.

Keep Learning

Visit the Deeper Learning Pathway webpage to select your next learning experience.