Name: The Lifelong Language of Competency-Based Learning
Start: 2027-02-09T16:45:00-0500
End: 2027-02-09T17:30:00-0500

The Lifelong Language of Competency-Based Learning

Tuesday February 9, 2027 4:45pm - 5:30pm EST

When it comes to giving academic feedback, how do schools craft and share an assessment “language” that reduces perfectionism, increases agency, and fosters growth in students, teachers, and families?

At Durham Academy Middle School, we have ceased using traditional grades and transformed our teaching and learning to a competency-based approach that focuses on skills and growth over perfection. We’ll share how the vocabulary and systems we use for this model prepare our students to succeed even as we send them to an upper school with letter grades. Of course, there have been hard lessons we’ve learned as well, particularly when it comes to finding a learning management system that worked for us. We’ll pass those insights along too.

Participants in the session will leave with the big picture of why a focus on skills and proficiency helps students improve their metacognitive learning skills and how competency-based rubric design helps students and teachers keep skills and progress at the center of their practice. We will provide strategies for teachers to implement small and meaningful changes in their assessment approach, changes that can be used both in traditional numerical grading and competency-based assessment systems. Finally, we’ll show the ways that adopting competency-based language for even a few years can benefit students through graduation and beyond.

Speakers

Melissa Mack

Director of Digital Learning & Innovation, Durham Academy

Melissa Mack has been an educator for nearly 20 years. Throughout those years, she has taught math, science, social studies, language arts, computer science, and STEAM by Design. In her current role as director of digital learning & innovation at Durham Academy, she serves as a coach... Read More →

Ginny Robinson

Assistant Middle School Director for Academics, English/Language Arts Teacher, Durham Academy

Ginny Robinson is an English/Language Arts teacher and assistant middle school director at Durham Academy. Always inspired and guided by her time in her classroom, she partners with teachers and other administrators to craft experiences and assessments that celebrate progress and... Read More →

Tuesday February 9, 2027 4:45pm - 5:30pm EST

Breakout Session

2027 TransformEd: Teaching & Learning Conference

Melissa Mack

Ginny Robinson

Get help with the event

2027 TransformEd: Teaching & Learning Conference

Melissa Mack

Ginny Robinson

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