Our Maine Street's Aroostook Issue 20 : Spring 2014 | Page 77
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UMPI
North of Ordinary
public schools in Maine. State legislation requires all
Maine high schools to graduate students based on a
proficiency-based diploma by . UMPI’s efforts
ensure that students who have been taught under,
and acclimated to, proficiency-based learning in
high school, will have the opportunity to continue
learning in the same way once they graduate and
head to college.
“Maine has been a national leader in prioritizing
proficiency in K- classrooms. UMPI’s leadership in also
adopting this approach solidifies Maine’s reputation as
the state of education innovation and, more importantly,
ensures a seamless transition from the K- system to
higher education that will better serve our students, and
our state,” said Acting Education Commissioner Rier.
The proficiency-based learning approach, as
offered at UMPI, focuses on solving real-world problems, conducting original research, getting hands-on
experience in students’ chosen fields, and achieving
competencies—learning specific st century skills that
employers are seeking, such as collaboration, creativity
and critical thinking. It’s important to note that while
UMPI’s proficiency-based learning approach includes
elements of competency-based education, it is not
exclusively focused on the degree-completion competency-based model, which some not-for-profit private
institutions are using and which is receiving significant
attention in higher education right now.
As part of the University’s focus on career preparation, students will begin preparing for employment on
the first day they arrive on campus. During their first
year, they will learn how to write resumes and cover
letters. Employers and other community volunteers
will critique their work, conduct mock interviews, and
serve as mentors and advisors. Throughout their time
in college, students will have opportunities to gain
experience in the workplace through service learning
and internships. In addition, UMPI alumni will help
students network and find careers. To showcase their
hard work, students will graduate with a portfolio of
skills and documented proficiencies that will help
them stand out with future employers.
UMPI will spend Spring focused on planning
and training and then, in Fall , will begin offering
its proficiency-based learning approach to a core group
of incoming freshmen who have been identified as
Innovative Learners. They will be paired with and
taught by Innovative Teaching Fellows—UMPI faculty
members who ha ٔ