Breaking With Tradition: The Shift to Competency-Based Learning in PLCs at Work (Why You Should Switch to Student-Centered Learning for All)

Foreword by Chris Sturgis

Shifting to a competency-based curriculum allows educators to revolutionize education by replacing traditional, ineffective systems with a personalized, learner-centered approach. Throughout the resource, the authors explore how the components of PLCs promote the principles of competency-based education and share real-world examples from practitioners who have made the transition to learner-centered teaching. Each chapter ends with reflection questions readers can answer to apply their own learning progression.

By reading this book, K-12 administrators, school leaders, and teacher leaders will:

• Evaluate the qualities of true competency-based schools and the flaws in traditional schooling.
• Consider the foundational role that PLCs have in establishing the competency-based approach and promoting learning for all.
• Gain tips for successfully implementing student-centered practices for learning competencies and performance assessment and grading.
• Explore real school experiences that highlight the processes and challenges involved in moving from traditional to competency-based school structures
• Access reproducible school-design rubrics appropriate for the five design principles of competency-based learning.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1: Understanding the Components of an Effective Competency-Based Learning System
Chapter 2: Building the Foundation of a Competency-Based Learning System Through PLCs
Chapter 3: Developing Competencies and Progressions to Guide Learning
Chapter 4: Changing to Competency-Friendly Grading Practices
Chapter 5: Creating and Implementing Competency-Friendly Performance Assessments
Chapter 6: Responding When Students Need Intervention and Extension
Chapter 7: Sustaining the Change Process
References and Resources
Index

Brian M. Stack, MEd, is principal of Sanborn Regional High School in Kingston, New Hampshire. He is the for­mer assistant principal and curriculum director for the school. Since 2010, Brian has been a member of the research, design, and implementation team for Sanborn Regional School District's nationally recognized K-12 competency-based learning system. Brian, an educator since 2001, is a former high school mathematics teacher, high school administrator, and school board member for three different school districts in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. Brian has also worked as a consultant and expert coach for a number of schools, school districts, and organizations engaged in per­sonalized and competency-based learning across the United States.

Brian is a member of the New Hampshire Association of School Principals (NHASP) and recipient of the 2017 Charles A. Napoli New Hampshire Secondary School Principal of the Year award. In 2010 and again in 2013, he received the NHASP Outstanding Role Model award. Brian is a strong advocate of personalized learning, competency-based learning systems, and high school redesign for the 21st century. He has presented his education reform and redesign work in workshops and conferences all over the United States.

Brian received bachelor's degrees in mathematics and mathematics education from Boston University and a master's degree in education administration from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. He lives with his wife, Erica, and their five children, Brady, Cameron, Liam, Owen, and Zoey, in the New Hampshire Seacoast.

To learn more about Brian's work, visit his blog at srhsprincipalsblog.blogspot.com or follow @Bstackbu on Twitter.

Jonathan G. Vander Els, MEd, is director of innovative projects for the New Hampshire Learning Initiative (nhlearninginitiative.org), an organization dedicated to seed­ing and supporting innovation and personalized learning in New Hampshire schools. Formerly, Jonathan was principal of Memorial Elementary School in Sanborn Regional School District in New Hampshire. Under his leadership, Memorial became a nationally recognized model professional learn­ing community (PLC) on AllThingsPLC (allthingsplc.info) and competency-based learning elementary school.

Jonathan has consulted, coached, and presented throughout the United States on building highly effective PLCs, implementing competency-based learning, and developing rigorous performance assessments. He is involved in the New Hampshire Performance Assessment of Competency Education, a first-of-its-kind accountability and assessment waiver granted by the U.S. Department of Education. Jonathan has also led the State of New Hampshire's efforts around integrating skills and disposi­tions into classroom curriculum, instruction, and assessment.

Jonathan has an education specialist degree from the University of New Hampshire in educational administration and supervision, a master's in elementary education, and a bachelor's in history. He is certified as a superintendent, principal, and teacher. Jonathan lives with his wife and three children in the New Hampshire Seacoast.

To learn more about Jonathan's work, visit his blog at jonvanderels.wordpress.com or follow @jvanderels on Twitter.

To book Brian M. Stack or Jonathan G. Vander Els for professional development, contact pd@SolutionTree.com.