A1: But What If They Forget?  

Bill Zima, Marzano Academies, Director of Implementation

This session explores how to use proficiency scales as tools for planning and implementing cumulative review. Participants will learn strategies for helping students revisit and deepen their understanding of key content over time, ensuring knowledge remains accessible and retrievable. The focus will be on designing review structures that align with proficiency scales to support sustained learning and long-term retention. 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Everyone

🏫 Drama Room 610

💻 SHARED NOTES

A2: Elevate & Engage: Dynamic Approaches to Classroom Instruction 

Ashley Avila, Marzano Academies, Implementation Specialist, Teaching and Learning 

This session will focus on how teachers can keep proficiency scales at the center of instruction while increasing engagement. Attendees will review critical elements of engagement and make connections between the research and their current practice. 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Everyone

🏫 Choir Room 630

💻 SHARED NOTES

A3: Using AI to Fulfill the Vision 

Scott Bacon, Center for Competency-Based Education,  CEO

We set our sights on the ideal and strive to attain it. Throughout the history of CBE reform, there has been a gap between the idealistic and the realistic. Technology has been a major tool to help bring them together, but they never really met ... until now. Learn how AI can help educators place the idealistic principles of the CBE reform movement solidly in the realm of the realistic! 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment, Tracking Progress, Goal Setting, And Celebrating Success In CBE, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Assessments In a CBE System, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Everyone

🏫 Band Room 660

💻 SHARED NOTES

A4: Proficiency Scales, Planning, & Classroom Practice 

Christina Melly, Ritenour School District, High School Teacher

As schools embrace Competency-Based approaches, classroom teachers are looking for practical methods to empower students, offer meaningful assessment, differentiate support, and engage classes in active learning. Making all of this happen in a secondary classroom means re-examining our own approaches to instructional planning. Join this session to explore ways to plan, instruct, assess, and reflect with proficiency scales. Having drafts of your own scales is helpful, but not required - all participants will get to practice planning using proficiency scales from various content areas. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

High School Teachers

🏫 Room 524

💻 SHARED NOTES

A5: Edpuzzle Advanced: Challenge Your Students with High DOK Resources 

Rebecca Balestieri, EdPuzzle, School Success Manager

In this hands-on session, we will dive into key Edpuzzle features that will challenge your students in constructing knowledge through high DOK activities. We'll focus on how to use Edpuzzle Student Projects to empower students in creating their own Edpuzzle video lessons and provide exemplar Projects connected to proficiency scales. We’ll also explore Edpuzzle’s advanced features for differentiation. We look forward to seeing you there! 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Intermediate Elementary Teachers (3-5), Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers 

🏫 Music Tech Room 650

💻 SHARED NOTES

A6: Proficiency and State Testing in Science: What's The Connection? 

Alex Gerber, Institute for School Partnership, Instructional Specialist 

Alison Brockhouse, Institute for School Partnership, Research and Evaluation Specialist 

As schools embrace Competency-Based approaches, classroom teachers are looking for practical methods to empower students, offer meaningful assessment, differentiate support, and engage classes in active learning. Making all of this happen in a secondary classroom means re-examining our own approaches to instructional planning. Join this session to explore ways to plan, instruct, assess, and reflect with proficiency scales. Having drafts of your own scales is helpful, but not required - all participants will get to practice planning using proficiency scales from various content areas. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

Primary Elementary Teachers (1-2),  Intermediate Elementary Teachers (3-5), Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators, Science Teachers

🏫 Orchestra Room 620

💻 SHARED NOTES

A7: Empowering Students: Using SEL in CBE to Combat Learned Helplessness 

Dr. Keona Griffin-King, Ritenour High School, High School Teacher

This session will explore how implementing SEL within the CBE framework can address and mitigate learned helplessness. Discussions and interactive activities have been designed to foster resilience, autonomy and a solution oriented mindset in students. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be prepared to implement SEL-informed approaches that empower students to overcome learned helplessness and thrive in CBE environments. 

Social Emotional Learning in CBE 

PreK - K, Primary Elementary Teachers (1-2), Intermediate Elementary Teachers (3-5), Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers 

🏫 Art Gallery Room 740

💻 SHARED NOTES

A8: What's The Plan?   

Sara Kennard, Springdale Public Schools / Don Tyson School of Innovation, Instructional Coach

Have you skipped Year Long Planning and Unit Planning and jumped right to CBE lessons? Yeah, us too. How DTSOI is benefiting from going back and creating Year at a Glance and Unit Planning documents, what we are doing with them, and how we use the Empower Planning tab to complement and enhance our paper documents. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Long Range Planning, Empower Learning Manager (Planning Tool) 

Everyone

🏫 Room 522

💻 SHARED NOTES

11:15 - 12:15 Lunch

BC1: Proactive Planning: Using a Scale to Move from Teacher-Led Instruction to Student-Led Discovery and Increasing Classroom Efficiencies Using the Empower Learning Manager

Bill Zima, Marzano Academies, Director of Implementation

Matt Shea, Center for Competency-Based Education,  Executive Director, Client Services & Training 

Part 1: Proactive Planning

This session focuses on how proficiency scales can be used as a planning tool to guide that transition. Participants will learn how to design instruction that scaffolds student independence, fosters deeper engagement, and encourages ownership of learning. Through examples and practical tools, we will explore how each level of a proficiency scale can inform instructional decisions that gradually release responsibility and empower students to become curious, capable, and self-directed learners.

Note, this session will be followed by an Empower tool that can help you manage the progress. 

Part 2: Increasing Classroom Efficiencies Using the Empower Learning Manager

When moving to a competency-based education system, there are many changes from the older traditional system.  However, some things are no different, including the need to plan your classes.  

In this session, see how Empower aligns a teaching plan (a year-at-a-glance) to a class in a competency-basemodel.  The plans will help create activities and quizzes for learners based on their needs, and use reporting tools with traditional letter grades for parents.  Be more efficient in your classroom using Empower!Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, Empower Planning Tool 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, Empower Planning Tool 

Everyone 

🏫 Lower Lobby

💻 SHARED NOTES

B1: Walking in Their Shoes - Experience CBE from The Student Perspective 

Patrick Hardy, Ph.D., D.Min. , Vetiver Education Strategies, CEO

To truly understand Competency-Based Education (CBE), we must step into the learner’s experience. In this interactive workshop, Dr. Patrick Hardy will guide participants through a hands-on simulation of a CBE classroom, immersing them in the strategies and structures that define this student-centered model. From instructional planning and differentiated instruction to teacher-led small group work, grading, and student evidence, attendees will gain firsthand insight into what mastery-based learning feels like for students. This session will challenge assumptions, spark reflection, and equip educators with practical tools to refine their CBE practices. By the end of this experience, participants won’t just understand CBE—they’ll have lived it.

Learning Targets:

1. Experience the CBE Classroom: Engage in a hands-on simulation to understand how instructional planning, differentiation, assessment, and student evidence come together to support mastery-based learning.

2. Analyze the Student Experience: Reflect on how CBE impacts student motivation, engagement, and skill development, particularly in relation to adaptive soft skills and ownership of learning.

3. Apply Lessons to Practice: Identify specific shifts in instruction and assessment that can enhance student success in a competency-based environment.

Simulating the CBE experience from the student perspective, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, “What are the other kids doing while I’m working with my small group?: Differentiation 

Everyone 

🏫 Art Gallery Room 740

💻 SHARED NOTES

B2: Level up your parent communication in the competency-based classroom 

Rick Cohoon, Charleston High School, French Teacher/Yearbook Sponsor 

Reporting student progress in a CBE environment can be tricky...especially if you're transitioning from traditional grading.  Leave this session with some ideas, communication templates, and be more confident with the information you're sending to your students' parents and guardians. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Communicating progress with parents 

Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators 

🏫 Room 522

💻 SHARED NOTES

B3: Coaching Teachers in a CBE Model

Cindy Goodchild, Charleston CUSD 1, Instructional Coach

Angela Czak, Charleston CUSD 1, Instructional Coach

Lauren Hopper, Charleston CUSD 1, Instructional Coach

Dawn Kuhns, Charleston CUSD 1, Instructional Coach

Are you an instructional coach or teacher leader who is guiding others through the process of converting their instructional model from traditional to CBE? This session will focus on helping teachers make the transition. We will address how to support teachers, what a coaching cycle may look like, and what coaches do throughout the year to meet teachers where they are and move them forward in their understanding and implementation of CBE in their classrooms. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment, Tracking Progress, Goal Setting, And Celebrating Success In CBE, Assessments In a CBE System, Data Teams In A Competency-Based System, Long Range Planning, Equitable Practices, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

Everyone, Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators 

🏫 Orchestra Room 620

💻 SHARED NOTES

B4: Rethinking High School Credit in a Competency-Based System 

Jenny Proffitt, Parkway School District, High School Science and Math Curriculum Coordinator 

Erin Croley, Parkway School District, High School ELA, Social Studies, and Reading Intervention Curriculum Coordinator 

Dr. Kevin Beckner, Parkway School District, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Accountability 

In a competency-based system, traditional credit structures can limit flexibility and innovation. This session will explore how to take competency-based learning to the next level by rethinking how high school credit is awarded.

In addition to discussing innovative ways to engage students through credit acquisition, we will touch on Missouri laws, funding considerations, and key takeaways from the state’s Graduation Handbook to help schools rethink how students earn credit..

Whether you're an educator, administrator, or counselor, this session will provide practical insights to support student-centered learning pathways in high school.

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Secondary CBE: Tools For Scoring, Reporting, And Eligibility, Long Range Planning, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

High School Teachers, Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators 

🏫 Room 524

💻 SHARED NOTES

B5: From Data to Action: Small Group Instruction Anchored in Standard Data 

Dr. Carrie Hepburn, Compass PD, Compass PD Consultant 

Constance Hallemeier, Compass PD, Compass PD Consultant 

Show how learning progressions can drive small group instruction by identifying where students are along a continuum of learning. Highlight how real-time data from formative assessments can inform grouping, targeted interventions, and personalized instruction in a scalable and replicable way. 

Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment 

Everyone 

🏫 Drama Room 610

💻 SHARED NOTES

B6: Elevate & Engage: Dynamic Approaches to Classroom Instruction 

Ashley Avila, Marzano Academies, Implementation Specialist, Teaching and Learning 

This session will focus on how teachers can keep proficiency scales at the center of instruction while increasing engagement. Attendees will review critical elements of engagement and make connections between the research and their current practice. 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Everyone 

🏫 Choir Room 630

💻 SHARED NOTES

B7: Enhancing CBE Through a Redesigned Elementary Schedule 

Carrie Myers, Ritenour School District, Elementary Teacher

Maggie Diehl, Ritenour School District, Elementary Teacher

Amanda Connelly, Ritenour School District, Elementary Principal

Join us for an insightful presentation on how our elementary school successfully restructured its daily schedule to prioritize extended learning time in reading, writing, and math. With one year of experience implementing this model, we will share how shifting science and social studies instruction to Fridays allowed us to create more dedicated time for small-group instruction in core subjects throughout the week.

This schedule transformation has led to deeper engagement, improved student outcomes, and increased opportunities for individualized support. Attendees will gain an understanding of the rationale behind the change, the process of implementation, and the observed benefits for both students and teachers. We will also discuss strategies for maximizing small-group instruction and ensuring a balanced curriculum.

Whether you are considering a schedule change or looking for ways to enhance instructional time, this session will provide valuable insights and practical takeaways to support student success.

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Long Range Planning, “What are the other kids doing while I’m working with my small group?: Differentiation, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

Primary Elementary Teachers (1-2), Intermediate Elementary Teachers (3-5) 

🏫 Band Room 660

💻 SHARED NOTES

B8: Science Inquiry and CBE 

David Meyer, Smith-Cotton High School, Physics Teacher 

“The rung of a ladder was never meant to rest upon, but only to hold a man's foot long enough to enable him to put the other somewhat higher.” -Thomas Huxley

My journey up the ladder to an inquiry-based, student-centered learning and assessment environment began 20 years ago and has, only in the last 5 or 6 years, become a classroom where I feel confident I know what students know and what they can do. Join me in discussing the steps I took on the rungs of the ladder to change my teaching style to implement scientific inquiry, change my assessments to standards-based, and plan for stepping up to the next rung, Competency-Based Education, in my quest to help students step up onto the next rung of their learning ladder.

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning 

Everyone 

🏫 Music Tech Room 650

💻 SHARED NOTES

C1: Laying the Groundwork: Strategic Implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE) 

Patrick Hardy, Ph.D., D.Min. , Vetiver Education Strategies, CEO

Transforming a school or district into a Competency-Based Education (CBE) system requires more than just enthusiasm—it demands a clear, strategic or implementation plan. In this workshop, Dr. Patrick Hardy will guide participants through the essential elements of successful CBE implementation, helping educators and leaders map out a sustainable pathway that aligns with policy and practice. Whether you are in the early stages or refining an existing model, this session will provide insights into common challenges, key decision points, and practical strategies for long-term success. Participants will leave with a working draft of a plan tailored to their unique context, ensuring they have the tools and vision to take their next steps confidently.

Learning Targets:

• Identify Key Implementation Elements: Understand the most vital components of CBE implementation and how they impact instruction, assessment, and school culture.

• Explore Pathways and Policy Considerations: Analyze different implementation models and policy implications to determine the best approach for your school or district.

• Develop a Long-Term Implementation Plan: Begin constructing a roadmap that outlines actionable steps, key milestones, and strategies for sustaining momentum.

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

Everyone, Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators 

🏫 Art Gallery Room 740

💻 SHARED NOTES

C2: Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Creating a Big Impact with Small Groups in CBE 

Christina Dury, Ritenour Middle School, 8th Grade ELA Teacher 

This professional development session will explore how to effectively implement Competency-Based Education (CBE) by leveraging small group instruction and differentiation strategies. Teachers will gain a deeper understanding of CBE principles and discover practical ways to tailor instruction to meet diverse student needs.

Through interactive discussions, educators will:

• Learn best practices for structuring and managing small group instruction.

• Explore differentiation techniques, including tiered assignments, flexible grouping, and formative assessments.

• Examine real-world examples of CBE in action and collaborate to design customized learning pathways for students.

By the end of the session, teachers will leave with actionable strategies to personalize learning, ensure students achieve mastery at their own pace, and foster deeper engagement in their classrooms.

Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, “What are the other kids doing while I’m working with my small group?, Differentiation, Equitable Practices 

Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers, Administrators/Coaches/Coordinators 

🏫 Orchestra Room 620

💻 SHARED NOTES

C3: Charting the Path: Aligning CBE Scales with Curricular Resources 

Ashley Avila, Marzano Academies, Implementation Specialist, Teaching and Learning 

In this session, educators will delve into effective strategies for seamlessly integrating proficiency scales with existing curricular resources in competency-based education (CBE) settings. Participants will explore practical methods to align learning targets from proficiency scales with instructional materials, ensuring a cohesive and student-centered approach to curriculum planning and delivery.

Competency-Based Instructional Planning

All Teachers, Coaches, Administrators

🏫  Choir Room 630

💻 SHARED NOTES

C4: A CBE Instructional Model in Action 

Abigail Scott, Springdale Public Schools / Don Tyson School of Innovation, Instructional Coach 

Tom Doppe, Springdale Public Schools / Don Tyson School of Innovation, Assistant Principal

DTSOI was recently certified as an HRS Level 2 school. Learn how they have based their instructional model on The New Art and Science of Teaching through a CBE lens of instruction and assessment. Walk away with examples you can put into action for every HRS 2 leading indicator! 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Getting ready for the real thing: Making an implementation plan 

Everyone

🏫  Band Room 660

💻 SHARED NOTES

C5: Building Executive Function: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Skills in the Marzano Academies Model 

Bill Zima, Marzano Academies, Director of Implementation

This session explores how the Marzano Academies model embeds cognitive and metacognitive skills into the curriculum to support student self-regulation and executive functioning. Drawing on Dr. Marzano’s framework, participants will examine how ten metacognitive skills and four life skills are explicitly taught, assessed, and aligned to proficiency scales. Emphasis will be placed on how these skills, such as goal setting, seeking accuracy, and growth mindset thinking, can be integrated into academic instruction and long-term projects. Attendees will gain practical strategies for helping students reflect on their thinking, take ownership of their learning, and develop essential habits for success in school and life. 

Social Emotional Learning 

Everyone

🏫  Drama Room 610

💻 SHARED NOTES

C6: Cumulative Review: Revisiting Previously Taught Scales 

Melanie Turnage, Ritenour School District, Instructional Coach

Rebecca Leb, Ritenour School District, Instructional Coach

In a competency-based system, learning doesn't stop when a unit ends. This session will explore practical strategies for revisiting previously taught proficiency scales to ensure long-term retention, promote student ownership, and support mastery over time. Participants will learn how to build intentional review opportunities into the instructional cycle by analyzing student data to identify gaps in learning.  Leave with tools to make cumulative review a consistent and impactful part of your instructional practice. 

Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Intermediate Elementary Teachers (3-5), Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers 

🏫 Room 522

💻 SHARED NOTES

See You Tomorrow!