The Northwest Curriculum Academy (NCA) is sponsored by the Washington Association of Marketing Educators (WAME). NCA is a professional development and leadership training program for educators in which selected participants are assisted in the implementation of competency-based instruction and a master learning approach in education.
The NCA’s philosophy and mission are based on the MarkED National Model Program, which is a professional and leadership-development project for improving the deliver of competency-based education in the classroom. Participants are committed to their own professional development and to the improvement of classroom instruction through the emphasis on learning outcomes, student accountability and responsibility, and increased student involvement in the management of their own learning.
Local Program Benefits
¨ Training related to implementing competency-based education and mastery learning.
¨ Guidance provided by a certified model program instructor during the two-year internship,
¨ On-site technical assistance and program validation.
¨ Opportunities for professional growth and state recognition.
¨ Assistance in upgrading the local curriculum.
¨ Increased student responsibility, accountability and motivation.
¨ Overall increased level of awareness and participation in state and national activities particularly in the areas of curriculum research.
¨ Local publicity generated through press releases and other activities of the academy.
Instructor Benefits
¨ Access to a support network of instructors across the state.
¨ Opportunities for professional growth and state recognition
¨ Guidance provided by a nationally certified mentor and/or a peer trainer during the two-year internship program.
¨ Clock hours available on completion of training activities
¨ Alignment of curriculum to OSPI frameworks.
¨ Validation of local program through increased student success on state mandated programs and on increased testing and graduation requirements.
¨ Four days of initial training during the summer.
¨ Several follow-up training activities.
¨ Access by phone or email to lead trainer for guidance and/or feedback.
¨ If requested, on-site visit per year by a training team member.
