In his April 15 editorial, Frank Edelblut outlines the process recently taken to update the Minimum Standards for Public School, aka the 306's. While his accounting of the process is not wrong, it's not an entirely honest portrayal of what happened, why and when. As an educator who was involved in the first pilot of competency-based assessment in NH over twenty years ago, I think some of the updates are necessary. We DO need to shift our thinking about the role of educators, especially at the secondary level from teaching to facilitating. We DO need to expand our definitions of where kids lear ..read more

We use this graphic to communicate the process for competency development ..read more

I’ve been sitting on this for awhile, and the Jesus inspired superbowl commercial gave me a push to share an observation I’ve only divulged to a few friends who understand my way of thinking. If Jesus was actually a carpenter, and I’ve never heard anyone dispute it, his education was competency based. ““Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” ” — Mark 6:3 Carpentry, and other similar trades, are taught by learning small skills that when mastered become more complex ..read more

Dear College and University Systems, The NH Education Department, led by a non-educator is cheapening our transcripts. We need your help on a national level. Public school advocates showed up in force at the hearings to encourage the board of education to deny Prager “U” application as a Learn Everywhere opportunity. They are not listening.  To earn a half a credit for Financial Literacy using this option, students watch fifteen, five-minute videos and take a 40 question multiple-guess test. There are no discussions, no teacher, and no performance tasks.  In addition, the content its ..read more

The debate about PragerU is about much more than the political leanings of its producers. Yes, we should all be concerned that the NH Board of Education and the Education Commissioner are seriously considering requiring that schools accept the video series created by the self-described “world's leading conservative nonprofit that is focused on changing minds through the creative use of digital media.” And, we should be more concerned that the leaders of public education in New Hampshire are advocating for poor pedagogical practices, are setting a bad example for our local school systems, and t ..read more

In history, we see evidence of Competency Based Assessment in apprenticeships. Over the course of years, apprentices studied and learned under a master craftsman until they were ready to go out on their own. Their learning was deep and based on the mastery of smaller skills that together allowed a blacksmith to, well, be a blacksmith.  The assessment came in the form of teacher observation, student's self reflection and of course the products produced along the way. The master blacksmith was constantly assessing, the student constantly self-assessing. Of course it wasn't called competenc ..read more

When I went to school, I memorized facts for tests, took the tests and the facts I personally didn't care about escaped my memory quite quickly. Sometimes I had to memorize simple processes, like in math and science, but those too escaped my brain as soon as I didn't need them for a test anymore. I know this is a similar experience for most of us.  I don't want to diminish my school experience or critique my teachers too harshly. I gained a lot from school that went beyond practicing the skills of studying and memorization. I remember practicing public speaking, writing, collaboration, re ..read more

Last year, the entire Franklin staff participated in the Dam Day. It was inspired by a presentation the district administrative team went to that featured Nowell Academy. The purpose was threefold: Give teachers and paraprofessionals a time to reflect and build relationships Get teachers to talk about teaching and learning in a different way Get teachers outside and show them how Franklin Falls Dam could be used as a place for learning We wanted teachers to experience the freedom and choice that they often, for various reasons, don’t afford their students. A choice in where they worked ..read more

When I go on school site visits and students have an opportunity to speak freely, one truth eventually rises to the surface. Students who get the most attention are those for whom the game of school comes naturally, those for whom it doesn't, and athletes. Kids in the middle, who make up the majority often report they feel left out of conversations, opportunities and certain relationships. This divide is often reinforced through ceremonial graduation practices, where the earners of the top Grade Point Averages are recognized through medals, dinners and special speeches. This arbitrary hierarc ..read more

Dear College and University Systems, The NH Education Department, led by a non-educator is cheapening our transcripts. We need your help on a national level. Public school advocates showed up in force at the hearings to encourage the board of education to deny Prager “U” application as a Learn Everywhere opportunity. They are not listening.  To earn a half a credit for Financial Literacy using this option, students watch fifteen, five-minute videos and take a 40 question multiple-guess test. There are no discussions, no teacher, and no performance tasks.  In addition, the content its ..read more