Springfield High School has been working to implement a proficiency-based learning system for a few years. However, this work has been done in fits and starts, and lacks an overall unifying vision and set of practices. We also have not yet connected the work of proficiency-based learning to our growing flexible pathways system.

 

Through my Rowland project, I will be working to complete a needs assessment to understand what our stakeholders already know about our proficiency-based system and what questions and needs they bring to the table. From there, I will be working to visit schools that have done this work well to see how these systems are built schoolwide. The most important work, though, will be on the ground with our teachers, students, and school and district leaders moving from theory to vision to practice. The Rowland Fellowship will give me the time to work deeply with our teachers and teacher leaders to provide job-embedded professional development and coaching.

 

Another key component of this work will be helping connect our proficiency-based learning system to flexible pathways. If we are successful in articulating key learning outcomes that students need to meet for graduation, we will be able to help our students take a variety of pathways to meet those learning outcomes, which will increase engagement and belonging for all SHS students.