Mastery FAQs

Why do we need a mastery ring?

Working to 100 Smartscore has shown significantly better learning outcomes. Our data shows that students who work to 100 Smartscore learn 2.3X while students who work to 80 Smartscore learn 1X or less on MAP tests. Mastering units is Learning!

 

How did you determine the mastery thresholds for each app?

The daily targets are set based on what a student at the right difficulty level, using the app correctly, can accomplish in the daily learning time. They are not personalized by student. They are set by subject and common core grade level of the material that the student is working on.

In other words, we look at students (of all abilities) who use the apps correctly and see how long it takes them to master units.

 

Could we have a mastery threshold for the week instead of daily sessions?

We set daily 2H session goals because learning science (specifically the science behind spaced repetition and interleaving) says that students learn significantly better by doing every subject every day.  Having only weekly thresholds would lead to endorsing “batched learning” which we know doesn’t help kids.

 

If I complete a unit, will it automatically count as a mastery?

No, completing a unit for a second time does not automatically count as mastery.

Why? Great question! Here's the deal:

When you master a unit, it's like earning a badge of honor. It means you've grasped the concepts and are ready to move forward. Now, let's say you take a science test and miss a few questions. If our post-test coaching identifies that you have a genuine knowledge gap (and it's not just a simple mistake), you might be asked to revisit that unit. This is to ensure you truly understand the material.

But here's the catch: We want to encourage you to truly master the material the first time around. Giving credit for re-mastering a unit could paint a misleading picture of your progress. It might seem like you're advancing when, in reality, you're revisiting old material.

Guides can track how many lessons you mastered for a second time and can decide if they will manually give you a 2H badge based on how you did on that day.

What if my mastery is missing?

If you are sure this is not a unit you've already completed, it might have been a technical issue. 

Don't worry and keep working on the next lessons. We have many tools that can track your progress even though it may not appear on Dash immediately.

 

If I need to study for 50 minutes, do I need to double the mastery unit threshold?

No. You will earn the 2H session badge as long as you meet the mastery and accuracy thresholds.