In Episode 8 of Growth Over Grades, Jordan chats with Alissa Muller, Director of Policy and head of the Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative at the Washington State Board of Education. They discuss mastery-based learning (MBL), exploring how culturally responsive-sustaining practices shape this approach and the challenges and benefits of these models. Alissa also shares valuable insights on gaining traction in implementing MBL. She offers thoughtful strategies for engaging both teachers and families. She also advises how to navigate the challenges that come with shifting how we teach and learn.
Episode Highlights
00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:18 - Meet Alissa Muller
00:03:18 - Empowering Learners through Mastery-Based Learning
00:07:55 - Culturally Responsive Sustaining Mastery-Based Learning
00:15:47 - Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative
00:22:06 - Onboarding Families and Motivating Educators
00:34:25 - Aligning Mastery-Based Learning with Standards and Long-Term Success
00:45:32 - Policy Shifts
00:53:00 - The Future of Education
Meet Alissa Muller
Alissa Muller brings a wealth of experience to the education sector, having spent seven years with the State Board of Education, preceded by her work in Texas nonprofits focused on experiential learning. Her passion for inclusive and innovative education began at home. Her brother’s experiences with dyslexia and ADHD inspired her to pursue a career focused on creating meaningful and supportive learning environments in schools. Alissa holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Washington, which further equips her to advocate for transformative educational approaches in her role as Director.
Empowering Learners through Mastery-Based Learning
Mastery-based learning (MBL) invites students to progress at their own pace, moving forward only when they’ve demonstrated mastery of skills aligned with state standards. As Alissa explains, “Students are able to take ownership of their own learning and receive support based on their individualized needs and interests.” In this model, learning isn’t rushed, and success isn’t measured by one-size-fits-all tests. Instead, students demonstrate their understanding through authentic assessments tailored to each student’s learning path. “You’re testing the same standards and skills,” Alissa says, “but how students choose to show they’ve learned those skills will look different.” While some teachers already incorporate aspects of MBL into their practice, Alissa points out that lasting change happens when schools commit to this approach across the board. Then, they can create a consistent, student-centered learning environment.
Culturally Responsive-Sustaining, Mastery-Based Learning
Culturally responsive-sustaining, mastery-based learning (CRS, MBL) values diverse identities, such as race and gender, as assets within education. Alissa explains, “The aim of CRS-MBL is really to elevate historically marginalized voices and to prepare students for rigorous learning, connecting across differences, and becoming agents of positive social change.” Washington State’s commitment to MBL was a response to address educational inequities underscored by the pandemic, closing opportunity gaps and supporting each student's unique learning path. Alissa emphasizes:
"It is a way to transform our education system because if you do it intentionally, then you can have teaching methods that are designed to really equitably engage every student in ways that best support their individual student learning journey."
Introducing the Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative
Backed by state funding, the Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative (MBLC) is helping schools rethink learning. As Alissa explains that the MBLC “is a group of schools that is really focusing on MBL plus CRS-MBL practices and implementing those two things together.” To support educators in their training and successful implementation of these practices, the MBLC has hired professional learning providers. Today, the collaborative includes two cohorts: 47 schools across 23 districts. They’re all participating in a four-year grant cycle to drive transformative educational change across the state.
Onboarding Families and Motivating Educators
For mastery-based learning to truly take hold, both families and educators need to be engaged. Alissa emphasizes that clear, early communication with families is necessary. “You have to be able to share enough with families so that there aren’t these miscommunications happening between students and families about things like what changes mean,” she explains. Transparency and open dialogue build trust, allowing families to give feedback and easing transitions like grading shifts.
When working with educators, Alissa encourages leaders to start with empathy. She suggests addressing the common frustrations teachers feel in traditional systems and asking them a simple question: “What do you have to lose?” By giving teachers the go-ahead to try something new, build stronger relationships, and focus on the root causes of student disengagement, leaders can create space for deeper learning. “Sometimes teachers need permission to get outside the box, to get outside of the rules and regulations,” she says. And when they do, classrooms become more engaging and meaningful places for both students and teachers.
Aligning MBL with Standards and Long-Term Success
Mastery-based learning allows students to meet state standards and graduation requirements through diverse methods that prioritize deeper understanding. Alissa emphasizes, “Schools implementing mastery-based learning still have students meet the same state standards...they're just going to do that in different ways.” While transitioning to MBL may initially affect test scores, schools committed to the approach see improvements as students engage in more meaningful learning experiences. MBL also fosters a more dynamic and engaging environment, as Alissa shares, “Teachers in the MBLC are saying how energizing it’s been to really focus on that hands-on, student-centered, culturally responsive learning.” This model leads to increased student agency, greater participation, and positive shifts in classroom culture, making it “the right thing for kids” and grounded in research-supported practices that are likely to endure.
Shifting Policies
Alissa points to several key policy changes at the state level that are designed to support the adoption of mastery-based learning. One major shift is the introduction of a system of new graduation pathways. Among them is a performance-based pathway designed specifically for MBL schools. “We wanted to design a graduation pathway that was a lot more customizable and individual, that would align with mastery-based learning,” she explains. This new option allows students to demonstrate their learning in ways that reflect their growth, not just their test scores.
Beyond graduation requirements, the state is also thinking about how to support teachers and schools at different stages of implementing MBL. Even schools that aren’t fully implementing MBL yet can access training resources to start exploring these practices. Additionally, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) is looking into funding models to better support MBL schools. While a bill that would establish statewide competencies hasn’t passed yet, Alissa notes that this kind of policy could be on the horizon, creating even more momentum for mastery-based learning in the years ahead.
The Future of K-12 Education
Alissa explains, “Students across Washington and likely across other states are really asking for learning experiences that are meaningful, relevant, and aligned with their future goals.” MBL fosters more "lightbulb moments" through hands-on, experiential learning that boosts engagement and deepens understanding. By shifting from a traditional ranking system to a more student-centered approach, MBL promotes greater student choice, agency, and culturally responsive teaching. She explains that this approach helps students build the skills and mindset they’ll need to confidently navigate and thrive in the fast-changing 21st-century world they’re growing up in.
MBL is redefining education by fostering meaningful, engaging, and culturally responsive learning. Through Alissa Muller’s advocacy, MBL is shown to address challenges like student disengagement and achievement gaps, preparing students with the skills needed for success in a rapidly changing world. To learn more about preparing students for the future with MBL, check out Mastery-Based Learning: Everything You Need to Know (2025).
