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Any assessment needs standards. Read the text or watch the video below to identify the core competencies that your Competency-Based Assessment will address. Either option has the same information, it's up to you!
Pull the 4-6 standards most central to the unit. You do not need every standard from the unit but you do want the standards at the heart of the learning.
Some competencies can be taken directly from the standard (or sub-standards).
Some standards may need to be broken down into smaller, more concrete skills to address.
You may also choose to revise the language of the standard so it is more student-friendly.
Step 1a Get Standards.mp4Watch the videos below to see an example of breaking down an ELA or Math standard into smaller, more discreet skills for a Competency-Based Assessment.
English Example
Step 1b English Competency Example.mp4Math Example
Step 1c Math Competency Example.mp4Read the text or watch the video below for final considerations in Step One of designing your Competency-Based Assessment. Either option has the same information, it's up to you!
How many competencies?
A common mistake for teachers is trying to assess everything. A good rule of thumb:
3 competencies = tightly focused, great for a shorter task
4–5 competencies = appropriate for a major end-of-unit assessment
6+ competencies = likely too many; consider whether some can be merged
The goal is depth over breadth.
Step 1d Other Tips.mp4Tip: Separate competencies when the skills can break down independently. If a student can do one thing but not the other, they deserve separate scores — and you deserve that diagnostic information. For example, a student might set up an equation correctly but not be able to interpret what it means. Or a student might construct a strong argument but struggle with transitions.
When you're deciding whether to split or combine a competency, ask yourself: can a student succeed at one and fail at the other? If the answer is yes, split them.
Time for Step 2. Click the Step 2 image below to keep going — or head back to any previous step if you need to revisit your work.
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