Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 20 : Spring 2014 | Page 76
UMPI steps to
national forefront
with Proficiency-based
education initiative
Officials announce $, Davis Educational Foundation grant and
new vision to help establish groundbreaking learning approach
O
n Feb. , during a press conference in
Bangor, the University of Maine at
Presque Isle made a major announcement
that it is transitioning to proficiency-based
education. This makes UMPI the first university in Maine
and one of the first in the nation to deliver this type of interactive learning. Proficiency-based education encourages
deeper learning and greater engagement by providing
more hands-on activities, giving students choices in selecting assignments, and having them demonstrate proficiency
in a subject area before moving along to the next concept.
During the press event, the University also unveiled its
new vision and announced a $, grant from the
Davis Educational Foundation to help achieve that vision
and establish its groundbreaking learning initiative. UMPI
was joined by several top Maine education officials,
including Acting Maine Commissioner of Education Jim
Rier, University of Maine System Chancellor James Page,
Educate Maine board member Yellow Light Breen, and
Great Schools Partnership Senior Policy Advisor Duke
Albanese, in announcing the news.
“We believe that students should own their learning,
receive an education personalized to their needs, focus on
building competencies instead of accumulating seat-time,
and get thorough career preparation at all stages of their
time in college,” UMPI President Linda Schott said.
“That is what proficiency-based education as delivered by
UMPI looks like and we are extremely pleased to be at
the national forefront in transforming the educational
experience on our campus in this way.”
UMPI’s new vision states that it will “design a personalized, technologically innovative education with every
student and prepare each graduate to pursue a career,
make global contributions, and engage in lifelong learning.”
To achieve its new vision, the University is incorporating
proficiency-based education into all aspects of the campus
experience. The two-year, $, grant UMPI was
awarded by the Davis Educational Foundation, titled
Embracing Proficiency-Based Education at UMPI, will assist
the campus in providing in-depth faculty and staff training
and development as it implements its new vision.
Proficiency-based education is top of mind for