GLOSSARY

Competency-Based Learning: A teaching and assessment framework that focuses on students demonstrating that they have learned the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in school, careers, and adult life. Competencies are selected based on Missouri Learning Standards and LindberghLife Skills.

Proficiency-Based Learning: IMPACT uses a proficiency-based progression system of learning. Rather than awarding credit for time spent in the classroom, progress toward proficiency on each individual learning standard is tracked. Students advance through learning based on their mastery of the content, rather than grade, age, attendance, or other factors. The sole focus of a proficiency-based system is on enduring understanding.

Interdisciplinary/Cross-Curricular: Courses designed to apply knowledge and principles to more than one academic discipline simultaneously.

Intrinsically Motivated: When someone chooses to do something because they enjoy it or find it interesting, rather than for external rewards or recognition.

IMPACT Competencies: Learning goals focused on a student’s personal, local, and global impact.

Personalized Learning: Learning customized to students’ skills and interests. Students create a learning plan based on their strengths and how they learn best.

Seminars: Seminars, which are 5-6 weeks long, combine learning targets across multiple disciplines and focus on investigating a topic of interest through independent, small, and large group activities. Seminars culminate with students showcasing a final project. With the work in the Seminar, students will identify learning targets from multiple subject areas to show mastery in. This mastery will translate to earning partial credit towards their LHS graduation requirements.

Workshops: Workshops provide targeted instruction on 1-2 specific skill(s) or learning standard(s). They can range from a few hours in length to several weeks, and include high levels of co-constructed feedback conferences between learners and learning partners. For example, an ACT workshop might be offered a few weeks prior to an ACT Exam.

IMPACT Project: An IMPACT project is a research project where students explore a variety of content areas in order to demonstrate high levels of critical-thinking and application. Projects are chosen based on a combination of student interests and required academic standards. Students are supported through this process by a learning facilitator.