The fall of letter grades & the rise of comprehensive learner records
. . .Or listen instead on Apple, Spotify, Google, or another platform.
Many leaders in education believe there are better ways to represent a student’s journey through their K-12 education than the traditional transcript, which typically depicts achievement through letter grades such as A’s, B’s, C’s, etc.
What might a richer representation of a student’s learning look like, and what would it take for us to get there?
This week on the BRIGHT podcast, I chat with Bruce Umpstead, director of statewide programs for IMS Global Learning Consortium, who explains:
What “comprehensive learner records” are and why they’re gaining traction in state education programs across the nation
Why these digital transcripts will be a crucial step toward building a competency-based future
How digital badging, learning analytics, and comprehensive learner records work together to form the foundation of data-driven student learning.
You can listen to our conversation using the audio player above or read the transcript.
Here’s a sneak peek at our conversation:
https://youtu.be/bDg4mD93fyQ
Related resources
Related article: Comprehensive learner record | IMS Global Learning Consortium
Product directory: Product certifications | IMS Global
Tool mentioned in episode: Mastery Transcript
Related article: Micro-credentialing & the dawn of competency-based professional development
Micro-credentials for educators: Micro-credentials & competency-based PD
Related episode: Are grade levels getting in the way of learning?
Michigan Virtual
For more than 27 years, Michigan Virtual has partnered with K–12 school districts across Michigan to expand learning opportunities for students and educators alike. Through our high-quality online courses, taught by Michigan-certified, highly qualified teachers, we empower students to learn anytime, anywhere. We also provide affordable, impactful professional development to help educators grow in their craft. Most recently, Michigan Virtual has been at the forefront of innovation and artificial intelligence in education, offering consultation services and professional learning to guide schools in thoughtfully integrating new technologies and learning pathways.
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