Sanborn Regional School District was recently awarded $100,000 by the Nellie Mae Education Foundation for its commendable work in competency-based education and personalized learning, reported the Union Leader. The district has been a national leader in implementing the innovative learning models, and is one of the four original districts of the PACE pilot program which replaces statewide standardized assessments with locally developed competency assessments. The Governor congratulated the district in a ceremony held on Monday:
The Sanborn district, which serves students from Kingston and Newton at all grade levels and Fremont high school students, has spent the last several years transitioning to a competency-based learning system, which provides flexibility and allows students to master skills and earn course credit at their own pace rather than by fulfilling a certain number of hours of instruction.
Hassan commended the district for its efforts, saying strong student-centered education is critical to preparing today’s young people. “You’re really being recognized for not only what you’re doing here, but you’re being recognized as leaders in education,” she said.
“Part of the reason we do the award is to shine a light on folks like you so you can celebrate and so the community can understand that there are others looking at this work who are noticing it and recognizing it, and also to send a signal elsewhere, outside this community, that these things are possible, that they’re important and they’re good and they’re happening,” said Nick Donohue, president and CEO of the Nellie Mae Education Foundation.
Sanborn has been doing great work in creating student-centered learning environments, putting students first and teaching students in the ways they learn best rather than a one-size-fits-all model.
Read the full article here.
