Over-Tested and Under-Prepared: Using Competency Based Learning to Transform Our Schools

The curriculum-driven instructional model has been the standard method of teaching for more than a century, but it is consistently failing to produce well-educated citizens and lifelong learners. Pressured by standardized testing and rigid pacing guidelines, teachers are forced to cover too much content too quickly, without being able to meet the needs of individual students. In this powerful new book from acclaimed author and speaker Bob Sornson, you’ll learn how shifting from curriculum-based instruction to competency based learning can help students become more successful, confident, and engaged learners. Topics include:

• Understanding the curriculum-driven model and the problems with "cover and sort" methodology;
• Making the transition from curriculum-driven to competency based learning;
• Identifying crucial learning outcomes and giving students all the time and instruction needed to fully master these outcomes;
• Building a positive teaching and learning environment;
• And more!

Each chapter is short and easy to digest, and provides compelling research, strategies, and anecdotes to inspire conversation and action. Teachers, administrators, and community leaders will all find helpful resources and arguments for re-working our current educational system into a new, dynamic model of teaching and learning.