Enhancing Learning with Proficiency Scales at Willmar Public Schools

Over the past three days, I had the opportunity to immerse myself in the Willmar Public School
buildings and observe outstanding work. Our teachers were engaged in the creation of "proficiency scales," a term that may sound technical but simply means to optimize the learning experiences of all our learners. The Willmar Education Association and the Willmar Public School District agreed to a memorandum of understanding for five additional days throughout the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years to complete this important work.

Proficiency scales serve as pedagogical compasses, delineating the progression of students' skills and knowledge acquisition within specific educational objectives (Marzano, 2017). This empowers educators with the ability to gauge the progress of each learner's academic journey, thus guiding instruction effectively.

During discussions with our teachers, I discovered that initially, coordinating classroom instruction with the construction of proficiency scales was a challenge. However, they also shared with me that through repetition and more experience, the process became more manageable, effective, and efficient.

Of particular significance in this work is the clarity these proficiency scales provide to teaching and learning. By shedding light on students' academic pathways, teachers can effectively adapt their pedagogical strategies, ensuring personalized and efficient learning experiences.

Beneath the surface, our teachers and administrators have a strong belief that these proficiency scales will substantively enhance learning outcomes and contribute to mitigating achievement disparities between our students. The promise of this work is the prospect of a more enriched and equitable education for all.

I am immensely proud of our teachers and administrators for their unwavering dedication to this work. Families can take great pride in knowing that their children are receiving an education from educators who are not only dedicated but care deeply for each and every one of their students!

References:
Marzano, R. J. (2017). The new art and science of teaching. Solution Tree Press