Implementing Competency-Based Education Through the Personalized Monitoring of Primary Students’ Progress and Assessment

Competency-based education is an educational paradigm with the primary goal of combining theoretical knowledge and practical skills, giving students the opportunity to effectively apply learning outcomes in real-life situations. This approach focuses on preparing students for life’s challenges by nurturing them as independent, critical, and creative thinkers who can adapt to an ever-changing environment. This article examines the process of competency-based assessment and progress monitoring in primary grades. The study conducted a qualitative content analysis of observed lessons and teacher interviews to reveal how assessment and continuous progress monitoring can contribute to comprehensive student development. Ten primary school teachers participated in the study, responding to researchers’ questions about competency-based education and their practices in assessment and progress monitoring. The article presents the results of a qualitative study aimed at evaluating the process of competence-based assessment and progress monitoring in primary school classrooms. The study results revealed that, in assessing student progress, teachers find it important for students to not only demonstrate knowledge in different situations but also gain a clearer understanding of their learning goals and have opportunities for growth. Such an assessment system not only helps students develop self-reflection but also encourages them to take responsibility for their learning process, continually improve, and strive for higher competency achievement.