color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">“Encourages models where students “progress based on demonstrated mastery rather than time spent in class.” It says in this text that competency-based approach, progress is based on mastery of skills and competency rather than time in class. I like it because direct assessment measures learning by what learners can demonstrate in real tasks, not by lecturing hours. So it’s more of performance and applied learning rather than passive learning.

in the Philippines context where I teach, our curriculum is designed to be standards and competency-based but implementation often becomes time-based due to pacing guides, school calendars, and administrative pressure. I hope that this approach will also be implemented here in the Philippines. In my experience, student assessments are often based on the number of days a child was taught a competency rather than on whether the child has truly mastered the skill. This time-based approach does not always reflect the learner’s actual understanding or ability to apply the competency in real-life situations. Some students may need more time to fully grasp a concept, while others may master it quickly, yet both are assessed within the same fixed schedule. I believe assessment should focus more on demonstrated mastery, performance tasks, and authentic evidence of learning instead of simply completing the required number of instructional days. Shifting toward a mastery-based system could help ensure that students genuinely develop the skills and competencies intended in the curriculum.

URL of direct assessment (US): https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/higher-education-laws-and-policy/higher-education-policy/direct-assessment-competency-based-programs?utm_source

Direct Assessment (Competency-Based) Programs — U.S. Department of Education