Truman works on student learning

Truman Elementary is working to improve the school’s proficiency through focused learning methods and proficiency scales.

During Tuesday’s school board meeting for Sweetwater County School District No. 2, Truman Elementary School Principal Greg Figenser, along with several staff members, gave a presentation on Mastery Based Learning.

During the presentation, Figenser explained how over the last five years Truman began working with the Wyoming State Standards, turning them into proficiency scales. He went onto explain that it’s a tool the staff uses to guide instruction, fostering personalized competency-based education. With the proficiency scales, it has enabled teachers and students alike to know exactly where they’re at, and where they may need more assistance.

Figenser said that the process has allowed students to not only know where they are educationally, but also to understand that they will always have the opportunity to obtain what they need to learn and grow on those proficiency scales.

Figenser was honest about Truman struggling with test scores and proficiency over the last few years, acknowledging that they can no longer go on without significant improvements. He stated he believes the work they’ve put into aligning with the state standards and creating the proficiency scales will lead to overall student success.

One key component in Mastery Based Learning is student-lead conferences. Second Grade Teacher Brittany Rider explained that student-lead conferences give the students a sense of empowerment by demonstrating an awareness of level mastery and presenting their own learning progression to their parents and guardians.

Fourth Grade Teachers Annie Stiess and Stephanie Olivas spoke about doing daily, one-on-one student self evaluations and how those evaluations were essential to the success of student-lead conferences. The evaluations allowed students to take responsibility for their progress or lack thereof during the conference. Olivas said that the students were extremely honest during their conferences, whether or not they had mastered a skill, and they could easily explain how they were going to continue working so they could master the skill.

Figenser said that the proficiency scales encompass all grades from junior kindergarten through fifth grade. They also include specialty classes such as art and music, with the plan to include physical education in the coming year.