Thursday, May 29 

AGENDA

For each session shared notes are provided.

11:15 - 12:15 Lunch

EF1: Proactive Planning: Using a Scale to Move from Teacher-Led Instruction to Student-Led Discovery and Increasing Classroom Efficiencies Using the Empower Learning Manager (REPEAT)

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

E1: 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

E2: Using Learning Progressions to Design Science Assessments and Scales

Heather Milo, Institute for School Partnership, Instructional Specialist 

Alex Gerber, Institute for School Partnership, Instructional Specialist 

Join us for an exploration of the learning sciences research on Learning Progressions (LP) in science education. We outline two different LP approaches to developing science assessments and proficiency scales and discuss their affordances and limitations. 

Secondary CBE: Tools For Scoring, Reporting, And Eligibility, Assessments In a CBE System 

Everyone

🏫 Music Tech Room 650

💻 SHARED NOTES

E4: Common Formative Assessments in CBE 

Natalie Campbell, Springdale Public Schools / Don Tyson School of Innovation, Instructional Coach

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

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

Whether a common formative, common summative, or really any assessment of learning, intentional design based on the targets of a proficiency scale can significantly increase the quality of the assessment. Intentional design leads to greater transparency for students, ease of scoring for teachers, and improved practices for individual teachers/collaborative teams to group students for intervention, on-level instruction, and enrichment. See best practices from DTSOI and leave with examples and templates you can use at your school. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Data-Driven Instruction And Small Groups In A CBE Environment, Assessments In a CBE System 

Intermediate Teachers (3-5)

🏫 Choir Room 630

💻 SHARED NOTES

E5: Data-Driven Math Teams: How Teachers Use Proficiency Scales for Student Success 

Constance Hallemeier, Consultant, Compass PD

Teachers will leave with a process for their teacher teams to analyze student math data, adjust instruction, and ensure all students progress along a defined learning trajectory. Attendees will leave with protocols and templates for efficient data meetings. 

Data Teams In A Competency-Based System 

Everyone, Math Teachers

🏫 Room 522

💻 SHARED NOTES

E6: Scaling Up: Bringing Clarity and Purpose to Creative Classrooms 

Mindy Gray, Smith-Cotton High School & Queen City CAPS, Digital Media and Technology Instructor 

Join me as I share how proficiency scales have transformed learning in both my Digital Media classroom and Real-World Learning environment. From storyboarding and video editing to client-based projects with local business partners, using scales has helped students clearly understand expectations, track their growth, and take ownership of their learning. Whether they’re designing logos or pitching campaigns, students are empowered to reflect on their progress and aim higher—because they know exactly what success looks like. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

High School Teachers 

🏫 Drama Room 610

💻 SHARED NOTES

E7: CBE and Communication: Assessment Of and Through Dialogue 

Laura Beamer, Ritenour School District, High School Teacher

Learning and assessment in a CBE classroom takes multiple forms, and research has shown that effective academic discussion has a significant impact on student achievement. However, students are often reluctant to participate in discussion, and many teachers have not been provided with professional development on how to gain student buy-in and participation. This session includes proven, research-based strategies to plan, implement, and support student discussion for learning. It will provide a framework for using dialogue as evidence of mastery in your content area, using proficiency scales to assess speaking and listening standards, and promoting discussion for learning in your classroom. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Assessments In a CBE System, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

Middle School Teachers, High School Teachers 

🏫 Room 524

💻 SHARED NOTES

E8: Using AI to Fulfill the Vision (Repeated) 

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

F1: Laying the Groundwork: Strategic Implementation of Competency-Based Education (CBE)  - REPEAT

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

F2: 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

F3: Making Math Make Sense: Using Scales to Deepen Learning in Geometry and Beyond 

Nikki Davison, Smith-Cotton High School, Math Instructor 

This session will explore how proficiency scales are being used to bring clarity and focus to student learning in Geometry—and how the same strategies apply across all math courses. Learn how we’re integrating scales with the Open Up Math curriculum to support students in understanding what they’re learning, why it matters, and how to track their own progress. With aligned targets and intentional feedback, students are more engaged in their growth and better equipped to tackle challenging concepts. Come see how structure and flexibility can work hand-in-hand to transform math learning.

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Assessments In a CBE System, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners 

High School Teachers

🏫 Room 522

💻 SHARED NOTES

F4: Planning with Purpose: Backward Design Using Learning Progressions 

Dr. Carrie Hepburn, Compass PD Consultant, Compass PD

This session will show how learning progressions can be used to backward-design instruction that is both intentional and responsive. By starting with a clear vision of what mastery looks like, educators can plan instruction that meets students where they are and moves them forward along a continuum of learning.

I'll share a real-world example from Title I schools where this approach led to a 20% decrease in students requiring intervention services. Through learning progressions, teachers were able to more accurately target instruction, align strategies to standards, and focus on prevention rather than remediation.

Attendees will walk away with a process for instructional planning that prioritizes clarity, equity, and growth—and practical tools to apply it in their own schools.

Competency-Based Instructional Planning 

Everyone

🏫 Band Room 660

💻 SHARED NOTES

F5: Strategies for CBE Differentiation in ELA 

Laura Beamer, Ritenour School District, High School Teacher

A key element of CBE success is differentiating for student needs, abilities, and interests, but planning and resource curation can be intense. In this session, we'll focus on processes and strategies to differentiate based on a variety of criteria, and how to help students incorporate their strengths and interests into the classroom. You'll leave the session with classroom tested tools and frameworks for differentiation, as well as ways to frontload your planning to increase flexibility and responsiveness to student needs. 

Tell Your Story: What You Tried, What You Found, How You Changed, Competency-Based Instructional Planning, Assessments In a CBE System, Using Proficiency Scales With Learners, “What are the other kids doing while I’m working with my small group?: Differentiation 

English Language Arts Middle School and High School Teachers, 

🏫 Orchestra Room 620

💻 SHARED NOTES

F6: Edpuzzle Advanced: Challenge Your Students with High DOK Resources (Repeated) 

THIS IS A 45 MINUTE SESSION (2:00 - 2:45 PM)

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

F7: Building Executive Function: Teaching Cognitive and Metacognitive Skills in the Marzano Academies Model (Repeated) 

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

Closing + Evaluation

3:25 - 3:35 Closing, Celebration, and Evaluation