What's in a Name?

11/10/2022 02:29 PM Comment(s) By Jim Westrick

Use any of the words proficiencycompetency, or standards with an educator and you're likely to get a visceral response. Each of these words seems to come with the baggage of past initiatives, failed attempts, or just a misunderstanding of the term itself. And while many progressive educators have come to embrace a system of scoring and reporting that doesn't rely on "points and privilege", just as many seem to have been scarred by a poorly planned or executed initiative.

 

Adding to the confusion is that different states (even districts) can use different terms to describe the same thing...or the same term to mean something different. In Idaho, it's mastery learning. In Oregon, it's proficiency-based. In New Hampshire, it's competency-based. Yet in all three places the idea is the same: provide meaningful feedback to students and parents about what success looks like in a particular subject area and how each student is performing currently.

 

But names are important. If you believe that students are better served when we are transparent about what we want them to learn and what that looks like, then it's time to choose a name that won't hobble you from the start. Ask your teachers what they've heard or know about each term. Have any neighboring districts had a great (or disastrous) rollout? Settle on a name without the negative baggage for your staff, and you'll avoid one of the first pitfalls that can hinder your progress.

 

Or just call it coffee. Who doesn't love coffee??