QUESTION: Achievement and Progression

Student Achievement and Progression

Several participants have mentioned that a Master Plan with a focus on student achievement should permit students to move as rapidly or slowly as their talents and disposition allow - a competency-based approach. Others worry that the result would be lower expectations for some, and more dropouts among students who don't progress to the next grade level with their peers.

Questions

2a. Should the Plan recommend replacing the "seat time" approach with one that links promotion to demonstrated mastery at a designated level of academic content?  Why or why not?

2b. If you support more emphasis on demonstrated competencies, can you suggest how to avoid (a) lower expectations for different types of students and (b) making teachers' jobs even more difficult? Can you suggest technology, creative instructional approaches or other ways to consider?

2c. Some feel a competency-based approach to student promotion runs the risk of over-emphasizing cognitive development, overlooking issues of civility and transmitting values. Do you believe this approach can be reconciled with a goal of preparing students for being good and productive citizens?