Five ways to calibrate when rating student work.

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The Measuring PCBL Toolkit: How to Measure Personalized, Competency-based Learning

4 minWe can’t measure what we haven’t clearly defined. That was the challenge we faced early on in our multi-year pilot to support personalized, competency-based learning (PCBL) in South Carolina. The field had a set…
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Decorative image of a graduate from a competency-based school who is tossing a cap in the air and smiling with one arm up in the sky, and a blurred background with a government building behind her.

4 things every educator should know about competency-based learning

7 minWhether you’re new to competency-based learning or standing back as a skeptic, here are four things to know about competency-based education (CBE)–a growing movement in our field. In this article, I use the term…
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Group of teachers learning how to calibrate when rating student work, sitting around a table with open laptops, notebooks, and coffee mugs.

5 Effective Ways to Calibrate When Rating Student Work

6 minFive practical and effective ways to help your team calibrate when rating student work using rubrics or success criteria. Are you an instructional leader, department chair, or lead teacher trying to support more consistent…
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Competency-based education graduate.

3 important ways to make your profile of a graduate actionable

3 minCreating a collective vision or “profile of a graduate” that reflects the hopes and values of your community is a vital step in leading district transformation. But what happens next? The challenge often lies…
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Two elementary-age girls leaning over a notebook, with one holding a pencil and writing, in a competency-based learning environment.

Back to the Future9

2 minHave you heard that song that goes “I wish that I knew what I know now … when I was younger?” For me, it brings to mind the Future9 Competencies, reDesign’s free and open-source framework reflecting our best…
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The CBL Method for transforming education brings deep and meaningful learning to a group of students, shown in a photograph smiling for a group photo.

Schaef: It’s Time to Redesign K-12 Academic Standards.

4 minThis opinion article, which presents the case for redesigning K-12 academic standards, was written by Dr. Sydney Schaef and was originally published by The 74 Million on June 24, 2021. It was a blue…
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Testimonials

FROM THE FIELD

If I were starting a competency-based school or program, Sydney Schaef is the first person I would call.

I will never forget traveling throughout Idaho to visit schools several years ago after the state launched their new Mastery Learning initiative. I couldn't believe the depth of conversations we were having, and I couldn't believe the acceleration of their design and implementation efforts. When I asked, "Where did you learn this?" Everyone I spoke to replied the same: "Sydney!"

I've watched her work over the years–from early startup in Philadelphia alongside Building 21, to providing leadership TA for school leaders and state leaders alike while at reDesign. She has real expertise and knows what it's like to be shoulder-to-shoulder in the work.

Chris Sturgis
Co-founder, CompetencyWorks
FROM THE FIELD

Sydney is a trusted and respected partner for developing graduate profile competencies.

Her deep insights into personalized, competency based learning and strong research background ensure that every element is tailored to the specific needs of the partner organization.

Additionally, Sydney couples her technical expertise with a commitment to incorporating student and teacher voice in the design of robust resources to ensure a learner-centered approach to professional development.

Stephanie DiStasio
South Carolina Department of Education
TESTIMONIALS

Sydney made all the difference for our faculty as we opened our competency-based high school. 

Sydney has an extraordinary ability to connect with teachers from diverse backgrounds and specialties. Sydney brought a wealth of knowledge, drawn from her background and research. But more than that, she brought her full self to every workshop – whether online or in person. She listened deeply, and scaffolded training to suite our distinct school culture and vision.

Sydney’s charisma, brilliance, and unwavering commitment to equity and student agency shone through in every interaction. She is detail-oriented and an amazing multitasker. She continually updated our documents and slide decks in real time, refining and reflecting our ideas back to us with precision and clarity.

Sydney has been a sincere partner with us in our journey to CBE. She aligned with our values and we are all the better for the opportunity to work with her.

Michael Prater
Director of HS Education, Tessellations

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CBL Partners specializes in competency-based learning solutions, powering equity and excellence in K-12 education and beyond.

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