In Their Own Words: Why These Students Needed a Different Option

We asked a group of Empower[Ed] juniors and seniors, students nearing the end of their K-12 journey, three simple questions.

What was missing for you in a traditional classroom?

What would your last few years have looked like without this option?

And what do you want a school leader to know?

Their answers make the case better than we ever could.

What Was Missing

Almost every student named the same thing in different words: pace, freedom, and personalization that a traditional classroom structure couldn't offer them.

"The freedom to do the stuff I am actually interested in, setting my own deadlines."

"Time to actually work on your work, not just listen to someone talk about nothing."

"Being able to work at my own pace."

"The one on one learning when I had a question on something I did not understand."

These aren't complaints about school in general. They're specific, and they point to real gaps that a personalized, competency-based model is designed to close.

What Would Have Happened Without It

This question hit hardest. We asked students to imagine their last few years without Empower[Ed] as an option, and the honesty in their answers is worth sitting with.

"I would have not had as good of understanding on the standards I need to know."

"I would've done not very good because it gets more boring every year."

"Rough, probably would be behind in classes."

"I would've been at [my previous school] not enjoying my last few years."

One student put it bluntly: "It would've looked like I would just be at school all day, [feeling stuck]." Another said simply, "I fail."

These are students who didn't just prefer an alternative. Several described a path toward disengagement, falling behind, or checking out entirely, had this option not existed.

What They Want Leaders to Know

When we asked what they'd want a school leader to understand, students didn't talk about test scores or graduation requirements. They talked about kids.

"Each person is different in comprehending and understanding something."

"It helps kids that don't like sitting in a classroom. They can work around their schedule."

"It gives kids an opportunity to show that they can be responsible."

"It's not for all students, just some that are more willing to have the drive." That last quote matters too. Personalized, competency-based learning isn't a universal fix, and these students know that. What they're asking for isn't that every student be placed in it. It's that the option exists for the students who need it.

The Takeaway for Leaders

Every one of these students found their way to an option that fit. The real question for districts is how many students without that option are quietly falling behind, checked out, or simply getting by, when a different structure might have been exactly what they needed.

Curious what a personalized, competency-based option could look like in your district? Come learn with us this school year! https://www.ndplnetwork.org/eventlisting