How might we base high school graduation on what students actually know and can do, rather than only what classes they’ve passed?
The Colorado Education Initiative (CEI) is exploring learning progressions and competency-based education as tools to create more equitable pathways to graduation. P in Colorado makes it possible to use authentic assessments like portfolios to meet graduation requirements. CEI is working closely with a cohort of high school “learning laboratories” to create rigorous performance-based pathways for graduation. These schools are developing course progressions, curriculum, instructional practices, and district supports and policies that enable schools to prepare students to demonstrate proficiency through capstones or portfolio defenses in 12th grade.