What are effective ways to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders?

1 Explain the benefits

One of the first steps to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to explain the benefits of this approach for students and their learning. You can highlight how competency-based assessment methods can help students develop more autonomy, motivation, and confidence in their learning, as well as how they can align with their interests, goals, and needs. You can also emphasize how competency-based assessment methods can prepare students for the changing demands of the 21st century, such as critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration.

2 Provide examples and evidence

Another way to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to provide examples and evidence of how they work in practice. You can share stories and testimonials of students who have experienced competency-based assessment methods and how they have improved their learning outcomes and satisfaction. You can also show samples of student work, portfolios, or projects that demonstrate their competencies and achievements. Additionally, you can provide data and research that support the effectiveness and validity of competency-based assessment methods compared to traditional assessment methods.

3 Address questions and concerns

A third way to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to address their questions and concerns in a respectful and transparent manner. You can anticipate some of the common questions and concerns that parents and stakeholders may have, such as how competency-based assessment methods are aligned with standards and expectations, how they ensure quality and rigor, how they are reported and recorded, and how they affect college and career readiness. You can answer these questions and concerns by providing clear and consistent information, examples, and evidence, as well as by acknowledging the challenges and limitations of competency-based assessment methods and how you are addressing them.

4 Involve parents and stakeholders

A fourth way to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to involve them in the process and the implementation of this approach. You can invite parents and stakeholders to participate in workshops, webinars, or meetings where you can explain and demonstrate competency-based assessment methods, and where they can ask questions and provide feedback. You can also encourage parents and stakeholders to support their children or students in their learning journey, by helping them set goals, monitor progress, celebrate achievements, and reflect on challenges.

5 Use multiple channels

A fifth way to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to use multiple channels and formats to reach them and engage them. You can use different media and platforms, such as newsletters, emails, websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, or social media, to share information, examples, evidence, stories, and updates about competency-based assessment methods. You can also use different modes and styles, such as visual, auditory, or written, to appeal to different preferences and needs of parents and stakeholders.

6 Seek feedback and improvement

A sixth way to communicate competency-based assessment methods to parents and stakeholders is to seek feedback and improvement from them on a regular basis. You can ask parents and stakeholders to share their opinions, suggestions, and experiences with competency-based assessment methods, and how they have affected their children or students' learning and development. You can also use surveys, polls, or interviews to collect data and insights from parents and stakeholders on how they perceive and value competency-based assessment methods. You can use this feedback and improvement to adjust and enhance your communication and implementation of competency-based assessment methods.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?