Mastery-based Learning FAQs

The state defined mastery-based learning (MBL) in E2SHB 1599 Sec. 301:

Students advance upon demonstrated mastery of content;
Competencies include explicit, measurable, transferable learning objectives that empower students;
Assessments are meaningful and a positive learning experience for students;
Students receive rapid, differentiated support based on their individual learning needs; and
Learning outcomes emphasize competencies that include application and creation of knowledge along with the development of important skills and dispositions.

At its core, MBL is personalized learning. Under MBL, students advance upon mastery of content as measured by meaningful, authentic assessments tied to state learning standards. Students take ownership of their learning and receive differentiated support based on their interests and needs. This model of instruction, which honors students’ assets and cultural backgrounds, has been shown to help close opportunity and achievement gaps.

Culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE) creates schools that elevate historically marginalized voices and affirm racial, cultural, and linguistic identities. CRSE prepares students for rigorous learning, connecting across differences, and becoming agents of positive social change.

There are many ways that CRSE can happen in schools, but a few brief examples are:

A variety of instructional strategies are used to connect with different students’ strengths, needs, and interests.
Teachers help students develop a growth mindset and build on students’ cultural identities and knowledge to help them engage with new concepts.
High-quality instructional materials reflect diversity of race, ethnicity, language, gender, etc.
Teachers name and critically reflect on inequities in society and schooling in ways that make sense developmentally for students.

The MBL Collaborative is a new grant project (run by the State Board of Education) that is providing schools with funding and professional learning to successfully transition to MBL. Schools in the MBLC are also working toward deeper implementation of culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE).

Previously, Washington State had a Mastery-based Learning (MBL) Work Group, that was tasked by the Legislature to provide recommendations on the expansion of mastery-based crediting and the development of mastery-based pathways to earning a high school diploma. You can see the MBL Work Group’s recommendations in their 2020 report (graphic report summary version) and 2021 report (graphic report summary version).

If you have questions about the MBL Work Group, MBL Collaborative, or next steps for MBL in Washington, please email Alissa Muller (Director of the Mastery-based Learning Collaborative at the State Board of Education).

Mastery-based (or competency-based) crediting is an option for students to earn high school credit for demonstration of learning on assessments that are clearly aligned to learning standards. The State Board of Education adopted rules (WAC 180-51-051) on mastery-based crediting in September 2020.

Additionally, WAC 180-51-050 defines a high school credit to mean: (For additional information about high school credits, please see SBE’s High School Credits FAQ.)

(1) Grades nine through twelve or the equivalent of a four-year high school program, or as otherwise provided in RCW 28A.230.090(4):
- (a) Successful completion, as defined by written district policy, of courses taught to the state's learning standards. If there are no state-adopted learning standards for a subject, the local governing board, or its designee, shall determine learning standards for the successful completion of that subject; or
- (b) Satisfactory demonstration by a student of proficiency/mastery, as defined by written district policy, of the state's learning standards.

No. The new section of rule (WAC 180-51-051) adopted by SBE in September 2020 did not change the existing law (WAC 180-51-050(1)(b)) which requires a district to adopt a written policy in order to provide mastery-based credit. Districts still need to adopt a written policy before providing mastery/competency-based credit, but, districts do not need to have their local district policy approved by SBE.

The Washington State School Directors Association (WSSDA) provides resources to school district boards to help them in implementing new policies. One of the resources that WSSDA provides is model policies—and WSSDA has created subject-specific model policies for mastery-based crediting for all subject areas that have state learning standards.

The MBL Collaborative is a new grant project (run by the State Board of Education) that is providing schools selected for participation (through a competitive application process) with funding and professional learning to successfully transition to culturally responsive MBL. As the MBL work moves forward in our state through the MBL Collaborative, some resources may be available to districts in the future around best practices. If you have any questions about this, please email Alissa Muller (Director of the Mastery-based Learning Collaborative at State Board of Education).

Washington State does not have a seat hour requirement as part of the definition of a credit—so there is not a state requirement to provide a specified number of hours of instruction before awarding a student a credit. Once a student demonstrates they have met the state learning standards for a course, it is appropriate to award the student the credit. Districts may define credit according to seat time, but this approach does not align with MBL.

Our state’s funding and allocation model does have certain time requirements. Because of this, MBL could have funding implications. In E2SHB 1599 that created the MBL Work Group, SBE and OSPI were tasked by the Legislature to develop enrollment reporting guidelines to address these challenges. However, in 2020, legislation passed creating the Innovative Learning Pilot Program (SSB 6521). Read more about this program in Appendix 2 of the MBL Work Group’s 2020 Report.

The endorsement a teacher holds is not a determining factor in whether or not a student can earn high school credit in a particular subject area. The awarding of credit is based on the learning standards addressed in the course (WAC 180-51-050). If the district determines a particular course addresses high school learning standards, then the district may award high school credit in the amount and in the subjects that the district deems appropriate according to the depth and breadth of learning. In some MBL models where a course addresses more than one content area’s learning standards, the course is team taught by experts in each content area.

Generally, students receive one credit per one-year course, or one-half credit for a semester course. However, the amount of credit awarded is locally determined, and should be based on the breadth and depth of learning standards addressed.

A district may design a single course, for which the student earns one credit, but meets more than one subject area graduation requirement—such as a course that is a Career and Technical Education course equivalency, or a course that is locally determined to meet more than one subject area graduation requirement per WAC 180-51-025.

A district could design a learning experience where students receive instruction during one course period, but the breadth and depth of learning standards addressed and the work the student does is determined locally to be the equivalent of more than one course. Students may demonstrate their learning through a mastery-based assessment. In this case, the student may earn more than one credit.

Districts should develop a thoughtful process, based on learning standards, that relies on the subject area content experts in the district for any subject that is taught with a multidisciplinary approach, where students may meet more than one subject area graduation requirements. The development of high-quality Career and Technical Education course equivalencies could be used as a model for the process for development of other multidisciplinary approaches.

Care should be taken in transcribing such courses to minimize the risk of a negative consequence to the student, such as a transcript being misinterpreted by an admissions office of an institution of higher education. As much as possible, the individual student’s transcript should be evidence of the student meeting minimum admission standards for any postsecondary institution that the student is interested in attending.

Transcribing courses that meet more than one subject area is a challenge, and the transcript may need to change to be able to accurately reflect the student’s record of course-taking and the meeting of their subject distribution requirements. SBE will continue to partner with higher education, and work with OSPI on the transcript.

As this is an ongoing process, SBE will continue to work with partners to communicate to students and families, as well as work with OSPI and higher education partners on transcript issues.

Page last updated: February 2023.

Mastery-based Learning FAQs

1. What is mastery-based learning (MBL)?

2. What is culturally responsive-sustaining education (CRSE)?

3. What work around mastery-based learning is happening in Washington?

4. What law governs mastery-based crediting?

5. Does a district’s mastery-based crediting policy have to be vetted/approved by the State Board of Education (SBE)?

6. Will districts get access to mastery-based learning best practices or guidelines?

7. Will MBL replace the seat hour requirements for graduation?

8. In the Mastery-based Credit options, does the instructor need to be endorsed in all areas of learning standards they are offering credit for?

9. Students can only receive credit in one credit area, correct? Students cannot receive double credit for one class.

10. Is there guidance on how districts should go through the process of having a student's class meet more than one subject area credit requirement? What is the process for districts to do this?

11. Could there be potential negative consequences of using one course to meet multiple credit graduation requirements, since the credits would not appear as distinct courses on the transcript?