PROFICIENCY BASED LEARNING

District PBL Site

USBE's PCBL (Personalized, Compentency Based Learning)

"PCBL moves instruction beyond information dissemination to a focus on transferable skills necessary for success in the modern world." (click link above)

Proficiency-Based Learning

The Granite District Proficiency-Based Learning model is designed around the premise that grades are intended to communicate progress to students and parents. They are intended to indicate at a prescribed moment in time what a student knows and is able to do with respect to course objectives that have been explicitly taught. They encourage the student to act on feedback and the teacher to adjust and individualize instruction.

PBL is not a change in grading philosophy. It is really a change in the teaching and learning process, which results in grades. If this statement does not make sense to you, then please meet with Rob to discuss how grading is a result of the process, but not the primary purpose.

The BIG THREE questions teachers ask Rob the most:

Are retakes endless? All teachers are expected to provide multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency. Some mistakenly interpret this statement with "Rob requires endless retakes." What Rob does expect is we don't assess using a "one and done" model. PBL is about students demonstrating levels of proficiency. Doing so may include retakes or demonstrating proficiency in other ways (not just redoing a test). To take a "retake" it is fair for a teacher to expect students to complete preparatory work before they do so. If you didn't pass the first time, what did you do differently to prepare for the second time?
What about deadlines? This goes along with the first question. Teachers are expected to have multiple opportunities to demonstrate proficiency, but that does not mean endless opportunities. It is fair and reasonable to allow multiple opportunities for two weeks after a student has received feedback on an assessment or paper. You do not have to to accept all work up until the last day of the term. Articulating due dates, retake procedures, etc. on your syllabus help alleviate any confusion.
What if a student does well but bombs the last assessment (recency)? The teacher has the discretion to determine if a student has demonstrated proficiency. You can override a grade to give a higher score if you feel the most recent assessment did not accurately reflect the students knowledge or ability.