MSU Northern Subaward Project
Transforming Clinical Experience Courses to Proficiency-Based Learning
Dr. Amy L. Smith, Associate Professor of Education
on Behalf of the Educator Preparation Program at Montana State University – Northern
Grant Objectives:
To create a series of courses that allow pre-service teachers to gain an understanding of proficiency-based learning, develop the knowledge and skills to implement proficiency-based teaching and learning, and practice proficiency-based education within clinical experience courses which model a proficiency-based learning system.
To train and support alumni / first-year teachers as they are leaders in implementing proficiency- based learning in K-12 schools.
Grant Tasks:
Faculty and alumni participated in the Transforming to a Competency-Based System training led by the Marzano Academy (June 21-22, 2023, Denver, CO). This conference provided the opportunity to dive deep into proficiency-based education and learn how to create a system within our program to prepare pre-service teachers to implement a proficiency-based education system.
Faculty, staff, administration, and alumni (Spring 2023 graduates) collectively evaluated, and reconstructed three clinical experience courses within Northern’s Educator Preparatory Program (EPP). The redesign of these course provides opportunities for pre-service teachers to gain mastery in proficiency-based learning while working within a proficiency-based system.
The EPP is supporting first-year teachers currently implementing proficiency-based learning within their curriculum.
Grant Outcomes:
Two-day professional development for two faculty and three first-year teachers. • Transforming to a Competency-Based System by Marzano Academy
Click on an image to view as a slideshow.
Redesign of clinical experiences courses to a proficiency-based system.
EDU336A – Practicum I
EDU336B – Practicum II
EDU452 – Advanced Practicum
Support for two first-year teacher leaders implementing proficiency-based learning.
- First grade teacher, Harlem, MT
- Middle school teacher, Centerville, MT
Creation of a PBE Resource Center within the EPP.
Professional development for implementing proficiency learning with an online program.
- Digital Learning Annual Conference by Digital Learning Collaborative
