Competency-Based Education

Please review the following information to learn more about Competency-Based Education and the East Kingston Elementary Partnership Advisory Council (EKES PAC).

You can also learn more about a webinar by Rose Colby, the SAU16 consultant for Competency-Based Education.

PAC Members
    Task of the PAC

    The Partnership Advisory Council is a research-based group comprised of faculty members, our school Principal, a School Board representative, parents, and/or community members. In the past, PAC has served as a vehicle to give parents and the community voice and involvement in school change and evolving practices. In the past five years, PAC has explored extending the school day for Kindergarten students, creating multi-age classrooms, establishing a full-day Kindergarten program at our school, and the benefits of starting a public preschool.

    Each year, the School Board of East Kingston Elementary School sets a task for the Partnership Advisory Council for the upcoming school year.

    A Brief Introduction

    EKES is implementing Competency-Based Education (CBE). We have taken several initial steps and created several structures to support this work:

    1. Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) provide teachers time to meet, examine problems of practice, and to plan future instruction utilizing CBE.
    2. East Kingston Elementary School Partnership Advisory Council (PAC) is a committee of parents and teachers that are working together to build an understanding of CBE in the community.
    3. Teachers from EKES serve on district-wide subject area committees to develop a common vision of CBE, in ELA, math, science, and social studies, across our SAU.
    4. Teachers are piloting Project-Based Learning at each grade level.

    Learn more in the CBE Pamphlet and special PAC Presentation.

    The Five Elements of Competency Education
    1. Students advance upon mastery.
    2. Competencies include explicit, measurable, transferable learning objectives that empower students.
    3. Assessment is meaningful and a positive learning experience for students.
    4. Students receive timely, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs.
    5. Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge, along with the development of important skills and dispositions.

    For further information, please read Understanding Competency-Based Education in K-12 by Competency Works, or visit the Competency Works website.