Community School District 300 is the latest school to join a statewide program to test competency-based high school graduation requirements.

The idea allows students to develop skill sets at their own pace, showing proficiency on a topic not only through a static moment’s test, but by completing projects, presentations or activities outside of the classroom.

District 300 Superintendent Fred Heid said officials still are considering what type of model the district will use, and they could experiment with different competency-based models in each of the high schools.

“Our sole focus is how do we get kids to become the drivers in their education?” Heid said. “Right now, they are very much the passenger. How do you bring relevancy into the classroom? We feel this is the strongest way to do it – by allowing teachers to be facilitators of learning rather than just delivering instruction.”

For example, Heid said, a student might wonder how a math skill is relevant to their life, or when they will use it again. If their interest is taking over their family’s restaurant, they could teach math through the business of a restaurant.

The program also allows students to slow the pace of their learning if they are struggling to grasp a concept, or it could accelerate the process if they have mastered a skill.

Anne Pasco, District 300 director of innovation and digital learning, said the district is committed to hearing from stakeholders, and officials are beginning to discuss the program with teachers, parents and students.

“Students have a say in their assessment, and that can strike fear in people,” Pasco said. “Multiple-choice assessment will always be relevant and meaningful to students for ACT and SAT tests, but [this program] allows students to be involved in dialogue that is meaningful to them.”

For example, a student could create a podcast or host a debate to show mastery of a history lesson, Pasco said.

Heid said the district has begun talking to parents in the Community Leadership Academy about what the program could look like and what concerns they would have.

He estimates that programs could begin during the 2019-20 school year.

“Some are very nervous, and some are very excited,” Heid said of parents. “The timeline may accelerate into second semester a year from now. I won’t handcuff us from moving faster if we have the ability to, but it depends on interest from people.”

District 300 joins Huntley School District 158 in participating in the pilot program.

District 158 plans to implement a program for incoming freshmen in the fall.

Heid said the district applied for the program two months ago.

Districts participating in the program will receive coaching from national experts.