On March 16, 2016, the D.C. Board of Education approved OSSE’s resolution to allow high schools to offer competency-based courses in addition to the current Carnegie unit courses. Currently, high school students in the District earn Carnegie units, which require 120 hours of contact time with a teacher. With this new resolution, high schools can apply for a waiver from the Carnegie unit and, if approved, may develop one or more competency-based classes. Instead of requiring a certain number of contact hours with a teacher, competency-based classes allow students to learn at their own pace, use online and blended learning platforms, partake in credit recovery programs, and earn credits based on demonstrated mastery, not seat time. It is not clear how these new courses will look. However, if designed and implemented effectively, the competency-based classes will provide another option for high school students in need of individualized and flexible learning experiences.

For more information:http://osse.dc.gov/release/district-columbia-provides-opportunity-schools-pursue-competency-based-models