Our Mission

Our mission is to maximize student achievement and positive behavior by using a dynamic recognition system. This system directly motivates students to make strong academic and ethical choices, significantly enhancing classroom conduct and overall school culture.

What Compass Mastery Aims to Achieve!

1. Helping create a strong academic and behavioral driven school/classroom culture

2. Increased motivation and performance on standardized assessments

3. Increased student accountability

4. Decreased negative behavioral occurrences

5. Increased student self esteem

6. Increased parent involvement

What do educators have to say about Compass Mastery?

I saw results pretty quickly in my classroom. My 5th graders were really into unlocking challenges. My biggest challenge was keeping up with their badge appetite! It mad a positive shift in my classroom culture.

Mrs. Lillard 5th Grade Teacher

I really liked the variety of badges I could use with my students. They were aligned to state standards which helped me be really clear on what mastery looked like with my students and ultimately how they would be rewarded for obtaining it.

Mrs. Sluss 1st Grade Teacher

We implemented this schoolwide and noticed a pretty dramatic shift. Students began asking their teachers for opportunities to demonstrate mastery of academic and behavioral skills.

Mr. Johnson- Principal K-6th Grade

Classroom Implementation Improves Academics and Behavior

Step 1: Set Clear Expectations

Step 3: Choose a Tracking Method

Step 1: Set Clear Expectations

Before launching, ensure every badge criteria is defined precisely.

Behavioral Badges: For a "Respectful Responder" badge, define what looks and sounds like respectful responding (e.g., waiting 3 seconds after the teacher finishes talking, using a calm tone, saying "please" and "thank you").
Academic Badges: For a "Main Idea Master" badge, define the evidence required (e.g., student correctly identifies the main idea in 4 out of 5 practice passages, or scores 85% or higher on the corresponding quiz). This should be heavily communicated and reviewed with students.

Step 2: Introduce the System

Step 3: Choose a Tracking Method

Step 1: Set Clear Expectations

Hold a launch meeting with your students.

Present the Badges: Show the students the images of the badges you've created (e.g., the "Perfect Score Hero" or "Food Chain Explorer").
Explain the Purpose: Emphasize that badges are a recognition of effort, growth, and mastery, not just a score. Tie them directly to your classroom rules and learning goals.
Display the Tracker: Show students how their progress will be tracked.

Step 3: Choose a Tracking Method

Select a method for storing and displaying the badges that is visible and exciting.

Physical: Create a Badge Wall, Poster, or "Hall of Fame." Award the badges and allow students to collect them on "Mastery Folders" or a publicly displayed card/chart/physical item.

Tip: For younger grades (K-2), physical display is often more motivating.

Binder Sleeves

Step 4: Establish the Award Schedule

Decide when and how often badges will be awarded.

Academic: Awarded immediately after an assessment or project is graded (e.g., "Main Idea" badge awarded after the Friday reading quiz).
Behavioral: Awarded spontaneously (on the spot) for exceptional behavior, or at the end of the day/week based on clear weekly goals with clear success criteria.
Spontaneous rewards have the biggest impact.

Step 5: The Moment of Recognition"

The way you award the badge is crucial to its perceived value. Make it public and specific.

Public Shout-out: When awarding, announce the student and specifically state why they earned it: "Everyone look at Sarah! She earned the Punctuation Pro badge because she used periods, question marks, and exclamation points correctly on every sentence in her story today! That's mastery!"
Tangible Reward: If using a physical system, hand them the printed badge immediately. If digital, award it and show it on the projector screen for a moment.

Step 6 Maintain Consistency, Reflect, and Reset

Consistency is key to maintaining student buy-in.

Be Fair: Ensure the same criteria are applied to all students.
Be Consistent: Don't forget to look for opportunities to award badges, especially for positive behavior. If you stop awarding them, the system loses its motivational power.

Acknowledge Top Achievers: Recognize students who earned a certain number of badges (e.g., a "Triple-Threat Award" for earning all three Math badges).
Start Fresh: Clear the slate (if applicable) and introduce new, challenging badges for the next unit or grade level.

About Compass Mastery