Delphian School and How Mastery-Based Learning Can Empower Students
You’ve likely heard of mastery-based learning (or similar terms). But what exactly is it? Put simply, it’s a learning method designed to make sure students fully grasp concepts before moving on. And, done correctly, this can lead to deeper learning and better retention.
Here’s how mastery-based learning can empower students.
Personalized Learning Experience
Mastery-based learning adapts to each student’s needs, offering a personalized learning journey. In this model, students move at their own pace, spending more time on challenging concepts and moving more quickly through material they easily grasp.
This approach can be especially beneficial for students who struggle in traditional classrooms. For instance, a study by the RAND Corporation found that schools using personalized learning methods saw greater gains in math and reading compared to similar schools not using these approaches.
A practical example of this personalized approach is seen at Delphian School in Oregon. Each student’s academic program is customized to their strengths, weaknesses, and interests, including projects that help them connect their studies to the world around them. This flexibility allows students to progress at their optimal pace, ensuring a more tailored and effective learning experience.
Enhanced Understanding and Retention
Mastery-based learning emphasizes deep comprehension rather than superficial memorization. By requiring students to demonstrate mastery before advancing, this approach ensures a solid foundation of knowledge. Research supports the effectiveness of this method. A meta-analysis by Kulik, Kulik, and Bangert-Drowns found that mastery learning programs can improve student achievement. However, the magnitude of these effects can vary, and more recent, large-scale studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Khan Academy exemplifies this approach by allowing students to practice skills until they achieve mastery. The system adapts to provide more challenging content as students demonstrate proficiency, helping them build a strong foundation before moving on to more advanced topics.
Improved Academic Self-Concept
Mastery-based learning can improve academic self-concept, which means it can positively impact students’ attitudes toward learning and their perception of their abilities. (“Self-concept” refers to an individual’s perception and understanding of themselves.)
Research by Anderson found that students in mastery-based environments often have more positive attitudes toward the content they are taught compared to those in conventional classes.
This is further shown at schools like Delphian School, where students don’t receive traditional letter grades. Instead, they continue learning content until they reach mastery, which translates into academic credit. This approach helps students focus on learning rather than grades, which can drastically improve their academic self-concept.
Development of a Growth Mindset
Mastery-based learning fosters a growth mindset by emphasizing effort and improvement over innate ability. This approach aligns with psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on the power of believing that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. Dweck’s National Study of Learning Mindsets, which involved 12,000 ninth-grade students from 65 US schools, demonstrated the impact of growth mindset interventions. Students who participated in a 45-minute online session designed to counter the belief that intelligence is fixed showed a reduction in fixed mindset beliefs compared to the control group. Lower-achieving students who received the intervention also saw an increase in GPA, and there was an increase in advanced math course enrollment across achievement levels.
In mastery-based classrooms, students learn that struggle is a normal part of learning, not a sign of failure. This perspective builds resilience in the face of challenges. Let’s look at another example: Summit Public Schools, a network of charter schools in California and Washington, has its students work through personalized learning plans and encourages them to revise their work until they demonstrate mastery. This process emphasizes learning and improvement, fostering a growth mindset.
Better Time Management Skills
Mastery-based learning encourages students to take ownership of their education by giving them more control over their learning pace. This autonomy helps them develop crucial time management skills.
In a mastery-based system, students must prioritize tasks, set goals, and manage their time effectively to progress through the curriculum. These skills are valuable in academics and essential for future careers and personal life.
Lindsay Unified School District in California exemplifies this approach. Students progress through “performance levels” rather than grade levels, requiring them to develop strong time management skills as they navigate their personalized learning paths.
Reduced Learning Gaps
Mastery-based learning can also reduce learning gaps between students. By making sure all students master foundational skills before moving on, this approach prevents knowledge deficits from accumulating over time. Research suggests that mastery-based approaches can decrease variability in student performance. The meta-analysis by Kulik, Kulik, and Bangert-Drowns found that when used in a whole-class setting, this approach helped reduce performance variability.
Let’s circle back to Delphian School: Delphian students who haven’t demonstrated mastery of specific course content can extend their learning plan until they reach mastery. This flexibility allows students to continue working on challenging concepts, reducing learning gaps.
Enhanced Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
Mastery-based learning emphasizes applying knowledge to real-world scenarios, which helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. By requiring students to demonstrate their understanding in various contexts, mastery-based learning encourages the transfer of knowledge across different domains.
Westminster Public Schools in Colorado implements a competency-based system where students must demonstrate proficiency in various skills and concepts before advancing. This approach encourages students to think critically about applying their knowledge in different contexts.
Improved Long-Term Knowledge Retention
The focus on thorough understanding in mastery-based learning leads to better long-term retention of knowledge. Instead of cramming for tests and quickly forgetting the material, students in mastery-based systems build a solid foundation of understanding.
Research supports this benefit, with studies showing that mastery-based approaches can significantly enhance students’ ability to retain their learning long-term. The meta-analysis by Kulik, Kulik, and Bangert-Drowns found that mastery learning had positive effects on student achievement and retention.
Better Preparation for Future Careers
Mastery-based learning aligns closely with the skills and attitudes valued in modern workplaces. By emphasizing mastery of content and skills, this approach prepares students for future career demands. In mastery-based systems, students develop essential workplace skills such as self-direction, problem-solving, and adaptability.
Purdue Polytechnic High School in Indianapolis illustrates this by engaging students in project-based learning and industry partnerships. This allows students to apply their skills in real-world contexts and prepare for future careers.
Increased Student Engagement
Mastery-based learning can lead to increased student engagement by giving learners more control over their education. When students understand what they need to learn and why it’s important, they’re more likely to be actively involved in the learning process. Research has found that students in mastery-based learning environments often have more positive attitudes toward the content they are taught. This positive attitude can translate into increased motivation and effort.
At Big Picture Learning schools, students design personalized learning plans based on their interests and goals, leading to higher engagement and motivation in their studies.
While more research is needed to confirm all the benefits of mastery-based learning, it’s a promising approach that can prepare students for success.
