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Keaton Katic
August 19, 2024

Washington Districts Using Mastery-Based Learning

Discover how Washington districts are transforming education by adopting mastery-based learning to support personalized student growth and success.

Mastery-Based Learning (MBL) is transforming the educational landscape by shifting the focus from traditional time-based progression to a model where students advance based on their ability to demonstrate mastery of skills and knowledge. In Washington State, this approach is gaining traction through initiatives like the Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative (MBLC), where districts are pioneering this innovative approach to education. This blog will explore the MBL initiative in Washington, highlight some exemplary districts implementing MBL, and introduce the concept of the Portrait of a Graduate (PoG), which complements the MBL framework.

What is Mastery-Based Learning?

Mastery-Based Learning emphasizes student-centered education, where students move forward once they've demonstrated a clear understanding of the subject matter. Unlike the traditional model that often relies on age or grade-level progression, MBL allows students to learn at their own pace, ensuring a deeper comprehension of the material. This approach is particularly beneficial in preparing students for future challenges, equipping them with the skills needed for both higher education and the workforce.

Mastery-Based Learning

The Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative (MBLC) in Washington

The Washington State Board of Education (SBE) is at the forefront of the MBL movement through its Mastery-Based Learning Collaborative (MBLC). The MBLC is a collective effort to promote and support the implementation of MBL across various school districts in the state. The goal is “to inform future policy by helping decision-makers better understand what quality mastery-based learning looks like, how long it takes to implement, and what resources are necessary.”

Examples of Mastery-Based Learning in Washington

Several districts in Washington have already embraced MBL, each tailoring the approach to fit the unique needs of their students and communities. Here are a few standout examples:

1. Maritime High School (Highline Public Schools)

Maritime High School in the Highline Public Schools district is a prime example of how MBL can be integrated into a specialized learning environment. With a focus on maritime studies, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that are directly tied to their future careers in the maritime industry. This approach not only fosters academic achievement but instills practical skills that students can apply in real-world settings.

A key element of MBL at Maritime High School is the use of Community Learning Showcases (CLS), Exhibitions, and Presentation of Learning (POLs). These methods move away from traditional testing and instead highlight students' competency development. For instance, students participate in capstone projects, where they must defend their learning and demonstrate their mastery of skills and knowledge. These projects are often presented through digital portfolios, allowing students to document their learning journey in a meaningful and comprehensive way.

2. Innovation Lab High School (Northshore School District)

Innovation Lab High School in the Northshore School District is a leading example of mastery-based learning (MBL) in Washington. The school’s MBL approach allows students to progress at their own pace, focusing on mastering specific skills and knowledge before moving on. Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Critical Thinking, Agency, and Citizenship—these six skills are integrated into all classes at the school. Students are assessed and receive feedback in these areas throughout their four years, to practice and grow their mastery to prepare them for success in college, career, and life.

Innovation Lab combines MBL with project-based learning (PBL), where students engage in interdisciplinary projects that apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios, often culminating in public exhibitions that showcase their mastery. The school’s grading system reflects competency rather than traditional letter grades, providing detailed feedback on proficiency, which helps students “focus on feedback, revision, and growth.

3. Quincy Innovation Academy (Quincy School District)

Quincy Innovation Academy (QIA) in the Quincy School District has established itself as a forerunner in the world of mastery-based learning (MBL) with its Big Picture Learning Program. Through this program, Quincy Innovation Academy helps connect students with the community through real-world experiences that complement their academic studies. Students can pursue their interests through a personalized approach via internships, mentorships, and community-rooted projects.

Students meet specific benchmarks, including exhibitions and reflections, to ensure they master the necessary skills for their grade level. Students maintain a portfolio from ninth to twelfth grade that tracks their progress toward individual learning plans, showcasing their academic and real-world experiences. For teachers like Matt Brewer, the portfolio helps to “see the actual evidence of the students' stories surrounding their learning. This is more than just the final product, it is about the process.”

Read: The Role of Digital Portfolios is Mastery-Based Assessment

When asked why mastery-based learning makes sense for QIA, Matt says “It helps students have a larger voice in the content being taught and the learning happening in the classrooms. MBL has given students agency and hope in their learning.” QIA’s focus on connecting education with practical applications ensures that students gain valuable skills and insights by bringing them into their community and allowing them to work directly with businesses and organizations while maintaining a high level of academic rigor.

As the school continues to grow and advance on its pathway with mastery-based learning, the positive results are hard to ignore.

“Our students feel safe coming to school, our students feel empowered to learn…Our SEL scores are up, our attendance is up, and our behavioral challenges are down. The kids are just ready for this kind of shift to help them make a pathway to a successful future.” –Matt Brewer

4. Gibson Ek High School (Issaquah School District)

Gibson Ek High School in the Issaquah School District, a leading innovator in the Big Picture Learning Network, has established itself as a pioneering force in personalized, authentic project-based education. Gibson Ek’s model is unique. Rather than asking students to do conventional coursework for letter grades, Gibson Ek empowers students to complete self-directed and guided projects incorporating core academic content. Students do this while participating in internships two days a week with regional businesses and organizations, helping them to explore career interests and gain real-world experience.

When asked about their unique learning model, Gibson Ek’s Principal, Tonja Reischl, says, “We are committed to meeting students where they are on a vision for their growth. We’ve built our school around knowing where the students have been, and where they are going, which allows us to hold authenticity at the center.” Students are challenged to use Stanford’s Design Thinking Process as a framework for their individualized projects. This method allows them to take initiative, think critically, learn through failure, and collaborate amongst diverse communities.

The school’s approach replaces traditional letter grades with mastery-based learning, where students show their growth through competencies. Students are measured with variations of formative assessments, reflective exercises, and demonstrations of learning. Educators use proficiency scales to help measure student growth over time toward the competencies, to give students a better understanding of how they can move toward the next level of mastery. Reischl says, “The competencies are focused on the mindset, and success is co-created with the students. It helps us embed the metacognitive learning cycle into each experience with the students and to keep them at the center.”

Students at Gibson Ek find their path through personalized learning and authentic project work. When asked why this model works for their students, Reischl says:

“It allows our students to take agency and define their own success. Students are expected to track their stories over time, demonstrate their learning throughout the year, and become passionate about something they are interested in. If it’s not authentic, then does it make sense to teach? This to me is what real learning is all about.”

Gibson Ek’s continued dedication to innovation in education is evident with a clear focus: helping students find their passion and purpose while making a meaningful difference in the world.

5. Envision Career Academy (North Thurston Public Schools)

Envision Career Academy (ECA) in North Thurston Public Schools has distinguished itself as an innovative leader in blending traditional academics with hands-on, career-connected learning experiences. With personalized learning opportunities, ECA ensures that every student has the direct support needed to work toward their academic and career goals.

The Academy’s strength lies in its intentional cross-curricular approach and deep commitment to student success. ECA takes a collaborative approach to planning, teaching, and learning where each student is visible and each student is known. When asked what makes ECA a unique school, Principal, Brody Larock, says, “Students can pursue knowledge that is important to them and create a personalized pathway to their learning. Students can then demonstrate their learning in a way that makes sense to them.” Every student who attends ECA has asked to attend the school, which gives students agency to work toward their academic and career goals.

ECA maintains its high academic rigor and adheres to North Thurston’s core subjects while offering unique programming through its CTE pathways and Five Key Experiences. The Five Key Experiences program, allows students to participate in catered career exploration, job shadowing, career mentorships, internships, and service learning. This emphasis means students can connect the content being taught and explored in class, with real-world applications that complement their classroom learning. These partnerships create meaningful opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in practical settings while building valuable professional relationships. “This leads to more authenticity for students to find a pathway that is more attuned to their wants, needs, and experiences”, says Larock.

Regarding mastery-based learning, Larock says “We are still early in the process but are being given the time to explore what this means to us, to create conditions that will lead to success. We are being patient, methodical, trying new things, and reflecting on what is working.” ECA continues to evolve how it measures student growth over time, recognizing that students need more than just academic skills to be successful. With a blend of hands-on experiences, community partnerships, and rigorous academics, Larock says:

“The goal is to build a model that has students leaving our school with the knowledge and skills needed, to feel seen and heard in their learning, and are ready for what comes next.”

The Portrait of a Graduate

The Portrait of a Graduate (PoG) is an initiative that falls within MBL, focusing on the development of well-rounded individuals who are prepared for life beyond the classroom. The PoG outlines the essential skills, knowledge, and attributes that students should possess upon graduation, ensuring they are ready for the challenges of the modern world. As with matery-based learning, Portrait of a Graduate focuses on authentic, whole child education, rather than seat time.

Mastery-Based Learning

In Washington, several districts are adopting the PoG framework, tailoring it to reflect their community values and expectations.

1. Elma School District

Elma School District has developed a comprehensive PoG that reflects the district’s commitment to preparing students for success in life. The Elma Eagle Portrait was developed from a coalition of parents, community leaders, business owners, educators, and students, with the goal of helping prepare their students for life after graduation. The Portrait of an Elma Eagle includes qualities such as critical thinking, communication, cultural awareness, and resilience, which are essential in today’s interconnected and changing world.

2. Sumner-Bonney Lake School District

Sumner-Bonney Lake School District has also embraced the PoG model, incorporating it into their strategic plan to ensure that all students graduate with the skills and attributes needed to thrive in the future. Their PoG focuses on preparing students to be “Future Ready,” with an emphasis on adaptability, problem-solving, and ethical decision-making.

Mastery-Based Learning and Portrait of a Graduate are reshaping education in Washington, providing students with the tools they need to succeed in an ever-changing world. Through the efforts of the MBLC and forward-thinking districts like those highlighted here, Washington is setting a new standard for student-centered education that prioritizes mastery, personalization, and real-world application.

As these initiatives continue to grow and evolve, they offer a promising vision for the future of education, not just in Washington, but across the country. To explore more about how Mastery-Based Learning is being implemented, you can dive deeper into the resources provided in this resource.

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