Sturgisp2

toc //Wednesday Afternoon Pre-Conference Workshops 1:00PM - 5:00PM//
 * Competency-Based Learning: A Planning Session on Conquering Tough Issues**
 * //Chris Sturgis, MetisNet// **
 * //Susan Patrick, iNacol// **

**Session Information**

 * **Location:** 312 //(Click Here to View the Session Map)//

**Session Description**
The session is designed for education innovators currently working on competency-based learning to develop a set of field-building activities for the next 12-24 months. This half-day session is dedicated to practitioners and policymakers working on advancing competency-based learning educational systems. The Council of Chief State School Officers included performance-based learning as one of the six attributes of Next Generation Learning. It is a powerful concept that mutually reinforces personalized learning and anytime, anywhere innovations. Performance-based learning requires a new set of practices and policies that is riveted on student learning. There are many driving forces for advancing performance-based learning in the K-12 system including school improvement, turnarounds, the dropout crisis, credit recovery, multiple pathways and expansions in online and blended learning. The Common Core State Standards is also creating a unique opportunity to introduce performance-based approaches. From the recent iNACOL/CCSSO report, //It’s Not A Matter of Time: Highlights of the Competency-Based Summit//, the following working definition for high quality competency-based approaches positions policy discussions for rich discussion on transforming the education system:
 * Students advance upon mastery.
 * Explicit and measurable learning objectives empower students.
 * Assessment is meaningful and a positive learning experience for students.
 * Students receive rapid, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs.
 * Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge along with the development of important skills and dispositions.

This session will require attendees to be knowledgeable in the field to tackle two to three “tough issues” such as:
 * Accountability for performance-based systems;
 * Ensuring quality;
 * Field-building needs;
 * Protecting our efforts by making sure competency based efforts in credit recovery and alternative education are of the highest quality.

Topics will be determined based on the interest of the participants. We will draw on our own knowledge and creativity to outline the potential benefits, risks and ways that we can draw on other efforts around the country to advance competency-based learning. The final product will be a short briefing paper that can be shared with others to advance our efforts.

Session Twitter Hashtag: //**#vss312p2**//
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