Competency-Based Education
THE ONE ROOM SCHOOLHOUSE
VS.
COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION By Welda Simousek Being in fourth grade and teaching phonics to first graders, participating in the eighth grade spelling lesson as a fourth grader, being taught in small groups of three to five students from mixed grade levels on particular skills or topics, having assessments on various skills before moving on, moving on to the next skill level when ready (regardless of grade 36
Spring 2016
SouthEast Education Network
level) — is this competency-based education? Well, not exactly: This describes a one-room schoolhouse experience; my one-room schoolhouse experience to be exact. Competency education or competencybased education as it is often called is described as having five basic elements: • Students advance upon demonstrated
mastery •C ompetencies include explicit, measurable, transferable learning objectives that empower students •A ssessment is meaningful and a positive learning experience for students • S tudents receive timely, differentiated support based on their individual
