Opportunity for mastery means that we need to give all students opportunities to meet and exceed the course standards and objectives. The expectation is that students LEARN the material and demonstrate mastery but we know that it takes students some students longer to master concepts and skills than others. AACPS worked with a variety of stakeholders, including parents, teachers, students, and administrators to revise our current district policy and regulations concerning students opportunity for mastery or their ability to “redo” assessments and assignments.

For more information on the research and practice of opportunities for mastery, please see the articles below.

• Gillespie (2013). 12 Steps to Creating a Successful Redo and Retake Policy. Mr. Gillespie’s Office: Musings of a lifelong educator and learner. ( Can be accessed here )
• Reassessments and Retakes: A Necessary Part of a School-Wide Grading Policy (ND). Connected Principals. ( Can be accessed here )
• Wormeli, R. (2011). Done Right: Allowing students to redo assignments and assessments is the best way to prepare them for adult life. Educational Leadership , 22-26. ( Can be accessed here )
  • See Wormeli’s Youtube videos explaining redos and retakes here:
    • Part I
    • Part II