The state of Maine repealed its mandate that high school diplomas be granted based on proficiency standards, leaving schools transitioning to the mandate in limbo. Now Regional School Unit 9 and other districts must mull how to manage current and future grading policies.
Proficiency Based Learning
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn schools will use proficiency-based learning and traditional grades for some students
AUBURN — Superintendent Katy Grondin announced Wednesday night that students in grades seven to 10 will be graded in two ways this fall: the traditional 0-100 and 1 to 4. The 1-4 grades, which are part of the proficiency-based learning program, will not apply to juniors and seniors. Proficiency-based education requires students to demonstrate they […]
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Posted inMaine, sj-web
Legislature votes to eliminate proficiency-based learning requirements
AUGUSTA — Six years after Maine became one of the first states to adopt new high school graduation standards, lawmakers are poised to roll back those requirements by allowing towns to decide whether to issue proficiency-based diplomas. The House and the Senate voted Tuesday night to eliminate the state mandate that students demonstrate proficiency in […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn, sj-web
Proficiency-based learning in Auburn: Grades 7-12 may return to traditional grading
AUBURN — This fall, grades 7-12 in Auburn might be returning to the traditional 0-100 grading system, according to how the majority of a task force was leaning Tuesday. At the Proficiency-Based Learning Task Force’s second-to-last scheduled meeting, most of its 18 members gave thumbs-up to ditching the 1-4 scoring now used for grades 7-9. Three […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn task force wants more parental input on proficiency-based learning
AUBURN — The task force formed to look into concerns about proficiency-based learning met for the first time Tuesday and has asked for more feedback from parents. Shelly Mogul, curriculum director for the Auburn School Department, said the department so far has received 350 responses from parents who have completed surveys seeking their input on proficiency-based […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn council approves school budget
AUBURN — The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve next year’s trimmed $43.69 million school budget amid continued public scrutiny of proficiency-based learning and its impact on the budget. The spending plan must still be approved by Auburn voters, who head to the polls June 12. Monday’s council vote came days after a […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn schools: Proficiency-based learning task force seeks feedback
AUBURN — After weeks of complaints from parents and students who feel they are not being heard in the debate over proficiency-based learning, the Auburn School Department has formed a PBL task force. The group will look into concerns and recommend changes, according to Superintendent Katy Grondin. The task force has 17 members representing different […]
Posted inLewiston-Auburn
Auburn schools seek feedback on learning standards
AUBURN — A task force will soon be formed to look into concerns about new performance standards in local schools, the Auburn School Committee was told Wednesday night. Surveys seeking anonymous feedback about proficiency-based learning from parents, teachers and students have gone out or are going out. The curriculum director for Auburn schools, Shelly Mogul, […]
Posted inOp-Eds, sj-web
Proficiency-based learning is a cruel experiment that has failed
Never, in my 30 years of high school teaching, have I seen an initiative do so much damage to student learning and motivation as I have with Maine’s Proficiency-Based Learning Diploma. It is a piece of feel-good legislation that was poorly conceived and enacted. Fortunately, the Legislature is now considering repealing PBL. I hope others […]
Posted inLetters, sj-web
Let teachers teach, students learn
The Sun Journal’s series about proficiency-based learning has been very interesting. I have one question for Superintendent William Zima who thinks that PBL is very successful. How many students are meeting the state expectations in English, math and science? The Maine Educational Assessments measure the progress of students. Last year, MEA reported that Zima’s district […]