Mastery Learning

Mastery Learning suggests that students must obtain a level of mastery prior to moving on to any subsequent information. In a Mastery Learning classroom teachers break up the curriculum into a series of skills or instructional units. In order for the student to move to the next step they need to have demonstrated mastery of the prerequisite steps. The theory is that all students will achieve a high level of understanding in a given subject area if they are given enough time.

Traditional teaching allocates time spent on a topic as a constant for all students.   Mastery Learning aims to change that primarily by letting go of the notion that all students are situated on the same learning schedule. This allows students to learn and “master” a skill or competency at their own pace. Formally proposed in 1968 by Benjamin Bloom Mastery Learning suggest all students can achieve at the same level given enough time and appropriate instruction. The motivation for using mastery learning comes from an attempt to reduce the achievement gaps for students in average school classrooms.

Research

Mastery Learning Graphic