Learning Progressions

What Mastery Looks Like, Level by Level

Every competency is measured on the same five-level progression, so "good" is visible to students, teachers, and families — and students always know their next step.

1 · Beginning2 · Developing3 · Approaching Mastery4 · Mastery5 · Advanced Mastery

The Five Levels

Behaviors, Evidence & Feedback

1 · Beginning emerging

Student behaviors: recalls a few facts with prompting; needs models and support to start.

Evidence: partial work; ideas not yet connected.   Teacher observation: "Can name Columbus but not yet his impact."

Sample work: "Columbus came on a ship."   Feedback example: "Great start! Let's add what changed after he arrived — I'll show you one example, then you try."

2 · Developing building

Student behaviors: states key ideas with some accuracy; beginning to explain with support.

Evidence: mostly complete with gaps.   Teacher observation: "Sequences 2 of 3 events correctly."

Sample work: "Columbus arrived and met the Lucayans."   Feedback example: "You've got the event — now add one effect. Use the sentence frame: 'After Columbus arrived, ___.'"

3 · Approaching Mastery nearly there

Student behaviors: explains ideas with mostly accurate detail; minor gaps; works with light support.

Evidence: complete, mostly accurate, some evidence used.   Teacher observation: "Explains impact; evidence is thin."

Sample work: "Columbus's arrival changed the Lucayans' lives."   Feedback example: "Strong! Add one specific detail as proof, and you're at mastery."

4 · Mastery competent ✓

Student behaviors: independently meets the outcome with accurate detail and evidence.

Evidence: complete, accurate, evidence-backed — earns the competency badge.   Teacher observation: "Describes impact with specific, accurate detail, unprompted."

Sample work: "Columbus's arrival in 1492 led to the loss of the Lucayan people and changed The Bahamas forever."   Feedback example: "Mastery achieved! 🎉 Ready for a challenge that connects this to today?"

5 · Advanced Mastery extends

Student behaviors: transfers learning to new contexts; analyzes, compares, and teaches others.

Evidence: a transfer task showing deep understanding.   Teacher observation: "Connects historical impact to present-day Bahamian culture."

Sample work: "Because of these arrivals, Bahamian culture today blends Lucayan, European, and African influences — you can see it in our food and festivals."   Feedback example: "Outstanding transfer! Would you mentor a classmate on this?"

Try It

Where Am I? — Mastery Self-Tracker

A student taps where they are on a competency; it saves on the device and shows the next step. (Demo: "Bahamian Historian")

Tap a level to see your progress.