Getting Unstuck #142: Looking at Student Performance in a New Way
In this episode of Getting Unstuck
Ben Rein is the Senior Director of Outreach and Partnerships with the Mastery Transcript Consortium, MTC - the organization that authentically and holistically captures student learning, progress, and interests as opposed to the traditional grade-by-grade transcript with which we’re all familiar. Before joining MTC 4 years ago, Ben has spent the prior 25 years as an independent school teacher and administrator.
Ben Rein on why this conversation matters
“As educators, our job is to do our best for each and every student in our care, and we have a duty and obligation to think carefully about the impact of every aspect of the learners journey. We must recognize how the traditional high school transcript reinforces outdated modes of education, constrains innovation, limits learning to single subjects, and impedes the pursuit of educational equity and excellence. It sorts and sifts students through narrow measures such as grades and GPA, reducing each complex and unique individual to a simple number. The Mastery Transcript is a dramatic alternative to the status quo. (See the example below.) Mastery learning is, by its very nature, based in equity and student well-being: meeting every student where they are. The Mastery Transcript supports each student in learning for today’s world, in exploring and pursuing varied pathways to futures that compel them, and in being recognized for acquiring and mastering skills both inside and outside of school. Students move forward with the understanding that they can achieve a high level of understanding in a given domain and they are given sufficient time to do so.”
How you can put this podcast to work
Ben makes the point that the mastery transcript operates as a kind of living document. It encourages teachers to ask “What do I want my students to learn?” The document also encourages students to ask “What am I interested in? Where do I have curiosity? Where can I grow? and move forward? from there?” What is the level of these types of conversations between teachers and students in your district or school?
One of the principal areas of focus in the mastery transcript is soft skills - interpersonal skills, skills that businesses are increasingly looking for. How are you developing and measuring those skills in your school or district?
Ben makes the point that the transcript and discussions between students and teachers really help highlight where learning takes places, not just where teaching takes place. What kinds of conversations are you having along these lines?
Scott Looney, Founder and Board Chair — Mastery Transcript Consortium
Connect with Ben
Background reading
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2017/09/school-consortium-proposes-a-better-transcript/
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2019/10/podcast-scott-looney-on-growing-the-mastery-transcript-consortium/
https://www.gettingsmart.com/2020/09/mtc-voices-student-profile/
