Student-Powered Learning with the Mastery Transcript Consortium

MTC offers three main tools: the Mastery Transcript (complete replacement for high school transcripts based on competency mastery and student evidence), the MTC Learning Record (used alongside traditional transcripts for schools transitioning away from grades), and the Progress Tracker (formative assessment tool for ongoing monitoring). These records prioritize student agency by allowing learners to choose evidence that best demonstrates their competencies, creating what graduates describe as more accurate representations of their growth and abilities compared to traditional transcripts that permanently document struggles and setbacks. The approach particularly benefits students who excel in non-traditional ways or have experienced challenges that traditional grading systems would penalize indefinitely.

"Innovative records truly empower every learner to tell their story they're able to show what they know what they could do with what they know... students have that ability to showcase evidence work that they are passionate about."

"People do not learn to pass a test to make it through the school day to get a grade or to be the best and... too many students see this as the central core of their purpose in school."

"Learners have all the agency decide what gets uploaded as their samples of evidence they really own that... it's verified and approved by an educator but Learners have responsibility for all of that."

• What should transcripts and records communicate about student learning? How might shifting from "what grade did you get" to "what can you do" change educational priorities and student motivation?
• James Madison HS students brainstorm and define their own competencies. What processes ensure rigorous, meaningful competencies while honoring student voice? How do you balance local relevance with broader recognition?
• How do schools ensure consistency and rigor when students demonstrate competencies through diverse methods and evidence? What verification processes maintain credibility while preserving flexibility?