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Using Learn Next to Move Instructional Practice

Through the Rethink PD micro-grant, the Gwendolyn Brooks team used the Learn Next toolbox to move their instructional practice forward to help meet their goals of all students learning at high levels. Gwendolyn Brooks brought together a cross-curricular team of middle and high school teachers to use the learning progression on competency-based learning, which shows the components of instruction and learning in a competency-based classroom and the steps to get there. Teachers used the learning progression to engage in feedback loops and assess their growth in competency-based instructional practices. They prototyped performance assessments and other instructional strategies while colleagues observed, collected data, and provided feedback. The team regularly held debriefs to determine success of implementation, modifications, and next steps according to the learning progression. At the end of the 2019 school year, one week of summer planning time was used to create resources for teachers to support CBE implementation and revise course materials to align with CBE feedback. The team continues to refine their competency-based learning practice, and teachers continue to self-assess their progress.