How does education at The Justice Center work?

The Justice Center is a competency-based educational organization.

 

What is meant by the term 'competency-based'?

Competency-based education is personalized learning focusing on the critical competencies needed for effectiveness at work, in ministry, in service.

 

Competency-based education refers to systems of instruction, assessment, and reporting that are based on a learner's ability to demonstrate vocational proficiency. This model generally is seen as an alternative to more traditional educational approaches in which students may or may not acquire proficiency in a given course or academic subject before they earn course credit, advance to the next grade level, or receive a diploma.

 

Competency-based education focuses more on praxis, application and proficiency than on classroom time.

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How is competency-based learning different from traditional education?

Unlike traditional models that emphasize seat time and grades, The Justice Center is concerned with demonstrated mastery. Learning partners (students) know when they have accomplished their educational objective when they can apply learning in real-world contexts, especially in areas like social justice, spiritual formation, and community leadership. 

 

What competencies are emphasized?

1. Theological and Biblical Literacy

2. Spiritual and Ethical Formation

3. Community Organizing and Justice Leadership

4. Practical Ministry and Public Engagement 

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How do learning partners (students) demonstrate competency?​

Learning partners demonstrate competency through projects, case studies, reflective practices, community-based work, photo and video catalogs, and portfolio assessments. These methods priortize lived experience and practical application over standardized testing.

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Can students learn at their own pace?

Yes. The Justice Center model is designed to be flexible and self-paced, allowing learners to move more quickly through areas of strength and spend additional time where deeper formation is needed.

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How are students assessed in this model?

Assessment is formative, holistic, and ongoing. Self-awareness and peer assessment are essential to the success of this model. Where additional assessment is warranted, faculty, mentors, and other subject matter experts (we refer to them as 'Guides') are available to evaluate student work based on clearly defined rubrics  rather than on alpha numeric grades.

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Who supports learning partners (students) throughout their learning journey?

Learning partners are encouraged to development their own support network within their local context, e.g., congregation, clergy support group, professional network. Learning partners also are encouraged to participate in one of The Justice Center's online course affinity groups and to visit our social media pages. When more concentrated support is desired, The Justice Center is able to provide Guides (mentors) who give feedback and encouragement throughout the learning process. This latter option is fee-based.

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Is prior experience recognized in the competency-based model?

Absolutely, The Justice Center honors prior learning and lived experience, allowing learning partners (students) to demonstrate competencies they may have developed through prior ministry, activism, professional work, community leadership, or even parenting.

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How does this model prepare students for real-world impact?

By focusing on applied learning and community engagement, The Justice Center is encouraging learning partners (students) to learn and help others learn by doing. This priority on experiential learning is rooted in the belief that, once an academic foundation has been laid, experience is the best teacher.

 

What makes this approach unique?​

Our competency-based model is not unique in and of itself. It is unique because it integrates academic rigor, spiritual depth, and justice-centered praxis in an effort to cultivate transformative leaders committed to healing, repair, and liberation.

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Do I need a college degree to register for courses?

No college is required. All courses are open and available to the general public. The Justice Center trusts that persons for whom our content is too advanced or not advanced enough will either communicate with us about their needs or seek what they are looking for at another institution.

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How does The Justice Center know that learning partners (students) are actually doing the course assignments?

The Justice Center model is based on an honor system. The honor system approach is designed to cultivate integrity, trust, and accountability within the learning community. Rather than relying on external enforcement, it invites learning partners (students) to take personal responsibility recognizing that the only one harmed by falsifying work and participation is the learning partner her/himself. This approach aligns with our commitment to forming leaders who embody honesty and justice in both scholarship and life.

 

How are learning partners (students) expected to uphold the honor system?

Learning partners are expected to complete all assignments honestly, properly cite sources, and refrain from plagiarism, cheating, or misrepresentation of work. They also commit to truthfulness in discussions, assessments, and collaborative work. In some cases, learning partners may be asked to affirm an honor pledge when submitting assignments, reinforcing their commitment to ethical formation.

 

What happens if the honor system is violated?

If a violation is discovered, our process emphasizes accountability, reflection, and restoration rather than punishment. Learning partners (students) may be asked to meet with adminstrators or guides (mentors) to discuss the situation, reflect on the communal breach of trust, and agree on appropriate corrective actions. The Justice Center reserves the right to block disruptive, non-cooperative persons from all programs.

 

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