Freeing students to escape the rigidity of typical learning routines, Kankakee School District 111 is poised to adopt an innovative pilot program based on recent legislation supported by state Rep. Lindsay Parkhurst (R-Kankakee).
The jurisdiction is among 10 school districts in the state chosen to participate in the trial of Illinois’ Competency-Based High School Graduation Requirements Pilot Program, Parkhurst wrote on her website.
Established by the Illinois State Board of Education following 2016’s Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Act, the initiative is geared toward equipping high school students with more purposeful work outside of a regular classroom experience.
Competency-based learning entails measurable acquisition of skills and knowledge as opposed to education taught in a standard setting. It provides a way to assess mastery rather than measuring time spent on material, according to the Washington-based National Conference of State Legislatures.
“The Kankakee School District submitted a strong application and has already taken admirable steps towards implementing some of the policies in the program,” Parkhurst said. “This program will give them the flexibility they need to craft a curriculum for student success beyond the classroom.”
Individual districts are expected to rely on guidance from the state as they begin planning and implementing the program.
“This is a tremendous win for the school, and of course, the students in our community,” Parkhurst said.
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