Senator Hassan Statement on Department of Education Approval of New Hampshire’s Plan to Expand Innovative Competency-Based Model
WASHINGTON – Senator Maggie Hassan released the following statement today following the U.S. Department of Education’s announcement that New Hampshire has been chosen to test innovative assessment strategies for students as part of a pilot program authorized under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). This announcement allows New Hampshire to continue to implement and expand New Hampshire’s Performance Assessment for Competency Education (PACE), which is a competency-based educational model that Senator Hassan helped to develop as Governor:
“As Governor, I was proud to work with local school districts to develop our state’s innovative Performance Assessment for Competency Education and create a first-in-the-nation accountability strategy that offers reduced levels of standardized testing, while ensuring that we are tracking student outcomes and achievements. Under this competency-based model, assessments are locally managed and integrated into the student’s day-to-day work, which allows our young people to develop the skills and innovative thinking they need to succeed in the 21st century economy. I am pleased that the federal Department of Education has recognized this program’s national potential and has awarded New Hampshire a pilot program to continue testing this innovative, competency-based educational model.”
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