Competency Based Education

BCA courses are competency based. Competency based education “creates flexibility by allowing students to progress as they demonstrate proficiency with academic content and skills, regardless of time, place, or pace of learning. Competency-based strategies provide flexibility in the way that credit can be earned or awarded, and provide students with personalized learning opportunities” (U.S. Department of Education, 2016).

Specifically, the Bridger Charter Academy classes include

• units of credit defined by rigorous competencies, aligned with local, state, and national standards;
• advancement upon mastery of rigorous competencies;
• personalized learning plans focused on individual learner growth;

Proficiency, Grades & Earning Credit: BCA is based on the belief that proficiency in rigorous standards is necessary for success. Therefore, the staff is committed to helping students demonstrate proficiency in rigorous academic standards. BCA courses will be organized around standards and learner performance will be evaluated using those standards. Learners will work towards demonstrating proficiency at a variety of standards per level or course by studying the standard, participating in discussions and lectures, self-investigation, working towards several formative demonstrations and ultimately, demonstrating proficiency at a summative level.

Current Grading Policy

At the END of each semester, learners will earn credit and letter grades based on the following criteria:

• If the learner consistently demonstrates advanced proficiency on all identified priority standards as evidenced by an average score of 3.5 or better, he/she will receive 1/2 credit for the course and a 4.0 for the semester.
• If the learner consistently demonstrates proficiency on all identified priority standards as evidenced by an average score of 2.75 or better, he/she will receive 1/2 credit for the course and a 3.0 for the semester.
• If the learner is behind pace to meet proficiency on priority standards by mid-semester, the Bridger staff will meet to set specific goals for that student. If the student is able to meet those goals by semester, and produces at least three pieces of evidence demonstrating proficiency on priority standards, he/she will receive 1/2 credit for the course and a 2.0 for the semester.
• If the learner does not meet the above criteria at the end of term, the student will receive an INCOMPLETE for the semester until he/she completes the remaining standards for the course.

(An incomplete grade can be carried forward for 12 additional school weeks. If the learner does not complete the course requirements at that time, the grade will become an F on the transcript.)