BEC Proficiency-Based Teaching and Learning Project Evaluation
EPIC conducted an evaluation of a 15-month project funded by the Oregon Department of Education. The grant allowed the Oregon Business Education Compact (BEC) to implement a model of professional development and support for teachers and leaders at four demonstration sites across Oregon (two middle schools, one high school, and one grade 4–7 school). The project aimed to support and expand the use of proficiency-based teaching practices, and gather feedback from teachers and students about the use of proficiency-based practices in their schools. The evaluation focused on adding to the BEC’s growing body of research-based knowledge regarding its model, determining the necessity and effectiveness of the various components of the model, and deepening understanding of the supports and barriers to effective implementation.
The Oregon Business Education Compact (BEC) has been championing a statewide effort around the development of best practice and support in PBTL for over 10 years. In 2014, BEC was awarded a grant from the Oregon Department of Education to implement a model of professional development and support for teachers and leaders at four demonstration sites across Oregon. The project aimed to support and expand the use of proficiency-based teaching practices across Oregon, and to gather feedback from teachers and students at the regional demonstration sites about the use of proficiency-based practices in their schools.
As external evaluators on the project, evaluation specialists Dr. Kristine Chadwick and Tracy Bousselot working closely with the BEC project leaders in a collaborative, utilization-focused evaluation capacity. The evaluation focused on adding to the BEC’s growing body of research-based knowledge regarding its model, determining the necessity and effectiveness of the various components of the model, and deepening understanding of the supports and barriers to effective implementation. The evaluation involved the design and administration of teacher and student surveys and focus groups to provide baseline data on teacher and student perceptions and attitudes about PBTL practice at each school. Additionally, EPIC and BEC developed an Innovation Configuration Map to identify and operationalize the critical components of PBTL implementation and establish highly descriptive variations of each component.
Learn more about Proficiency Based Teaching and Learning via our blog post, Proficiency-Based Teaching and Learning: Supporting Teachers and Helping Students Show What They Know.