A New Chapter in Personalized Learning: Oxford Academy’s Journey with MTC and ETS

In a landmark move that promises to reshape education, Educational Testing Service (ETS) announced its acquisition of the Mastery Transcript Consortium (MTC) on May 15, 2024. This development holds particular significance for Oxford Academy, a pioneering boarding school in Westbrook, Connecticut, which has been at the forefront of individualized education for over a century.

Oxford Academy and MTC: A Natural Partnership

Since 2017, Oxford Academy has been an active member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium, recognizing early on the alignment between MTC’s mission and Oxford’s long-standing educational philosophy. But why was MTC such a good fit for Oxford Academy?

• Shared Vision of Competency-Based Education: Oxford Academy, founded in 1906, has long embraced a unique educational approach centered on one-to-one learning and personalized instruction. This aligns perfectly with MTC’s mission to make competency-based education accessible to more learners.
• Accurate Reflection of Student Achievement: MTC’s goal to create a transcript that more accurately reflects true competency-based education met a critical need for Oxford’s students. Many of Oxford’s students, who often have learning differences, deserve to have their innovative learning experiences reflected accurately on high school transcripts.
• Collaborative Learning and Development: Since joining MTC, Oxford’s educational leaders have invested hundreds of hours working with the consortium and partner schools. This collaboration has allowed Oxford to compare approaches, learn from leading researchers, and refine its academic course programs and competencies, reporting mechanisms, student feedback processes, and transcripts.
• Higher Education Partnerships: MTC’s work with higher education leaders to educate them on competency-based transcripts aligns with Oxford’s goal of strengthening the candidacy of its seniors for college admissions.
• Paradigm Shift Support: Oxford Academy’s long-standing work in individualized education found a broader platform through MTC, supporting the needed paradigm shift from time-based to skill-based learning.

The Impact of the ETS Acquisition

The recent acquisition of MTC by ETS, a global leader in educational assessment and measurement, brings this collaborative work into an even broader arena. ETS, in partnership with the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, has launched the Skills for the Future initiative, which aims to radically transform education from a time-based to a competency-based system.

For Oxford Academy, this development represents an exciting opportunity to further enhance its pioneering approach to education. The Skills for the Future initiative focuses on developing measures that capture evidence of skills crucial for success in high school, postsecondary education, and the evolving job market – areas that have long been at the heart of Oxford’s educational mission.

The Oxford Method: A Century of Personalized Learning

At the core of Oxford Academy’s educational philosophy is the Oxford Method, a unique approach to learning that has been refined over more than a century. This method is characterized by several key elements:

• One-to-One Instruction: Each class consists of one teacher and one student, allowing for truly personalized attention and a customized curriculum.
• Individualized Pace: Students work at their own speed, with teachers adapting coursework to suit individual aptitudes and needs.
• Daily Structure: 20-minute instruction periods are followed by hour-long study times, allowing immediate practice of new concepts.
• Weekly Feedback: Regular assessments provide ongoing guidance and motivation.
• Character and Leadership Curriculum (CLC): A seminar-style program focusing on personal development and essential life skills.

This approach has proven particularly effective for students who may struggle in traditional classroom settings, especially those with learning differences. By eliminating peer pressure and competition, Oxford Academy creates an environment where students feel comfortable taking risks, asking questions, and fully engaging with their studies.

Alignment with ETS-MTC Vision

The Oxford Method’s focus on individualized learning and skill development aligns closely with the competency-based model that ETS and MTC are promoting. This alignment positions Oxford Academy to be a valuable contributor to and beneficiary of the Skills for the Future initiative.

Potential Benefits for Oxford Students

The ETS acquisition of MTC and the subsequent integration with the Skills for the Future initiative offers several potential benefits for Oxford Academy students:

• Enhanced Credentialing: The development of more sophisticated digital learning records will provide a more comprehensive and nuanced representation of student achievements, particularly beneficial for students with learning differences, twice exceptional, gifted students, and traditional students alike.
• Increased College Acceptance: As more higher education institutions become familiar with and accepting of competency-based transcripts, Oxford students may find a broader range of college opportunities available to them.
• Future-Ready Skills Focus: The initiative’s emphasis on skills needed for future jobs aligns perfectly with Oxford’s mission to prepare students for lifelong success.
• Improved Assessment Tools: Access to ETS’s extensive expertise in educational measurement could lead to more accurate and meaningful assessments of student progress.
• Broader Recognition: As competency-based education gains traction on a national scale, the value of an Oxford Academy education will become even more valued.

Oxford Academy’s Unique Position

Oxford Academy is uniquely positioned to contribute to this educational paradigm shift. Its long history of individualized instruction and focus on competency-based learning makes it an ideal partner in this initiative. The school’s experience in tailoring education to each student’s needs, particularly those with learning differences, could provide valuable insights as ETS and the Carnegie Foundation work to scale this approach.

Moreover, Oxford’s Character and Leadership Curriculum (CLC) aligns well with the holistic approach to education championed by the Skills for the Future initiative. The CLC’s focus on self-awareness, responsible decision-making, and essential life skills complements the academic competencies that will be central to the new educational paradigm.

Looking Ahead: Oxford Academy in the Era of Competency-Based Education

As education continues to evolve, Oxford Academy stands ready to lead the way in implementing and refining competency-based learning models. The school’s partnership with MTC, now strengthened by the ETS acquisition, will likely accelerate its efforts to provide an education that truly prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
For Oxford students, particularly those with learning differences, this evolution in educational approach offers the promise of an even more tailored and effective learning experience. The development of more nuanced and comprehensive learning records will better showcase their unique strengths and achievements, potentially opening doors to a wider range of post-secondary education and career opportunities.

In the words of Head of School Philip Cocchiola, “If you want something more from your education, then I hope you will continue to read on and peruse our website and ideally come for a visit. I have no doubt that you will see that an Oxford Academy education is unlike anything you have experienced before.”

As education evolves to meet the needs of a rapidly changing world, Oxford Academy, bolstered by its partnership with MTC and the new opportunities presented by the ETS acquisition, stands ready to lead the way, offering its students an educational experience that is not just personalized, but truly transformative.

About Oxford Academy

Since 1906, Oxford Academy has been transforming students’ lives through individualized learning. The student-centered approach unlocks a learner’s unique potential. Personalized curriculum, flexible pacing, teacher mentorship, and real-world application equip students with college prep materials and the skills to excel in college and career. Oxford graduates attain acceptance to top universities and go on to achieve their dreams.

If you want your child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally, consider Oxford Academy. Call us at (860) 399-6247 or visit our website today to learn more about our programs, meet our faculty, and schedule a tour. It’s time to discover what personalized education can do for your student’s future. At Oxford Academy, we empower students to pave their path to success.