What is a key element of mastery learning?

Frequent assessments are a key element of mastery learning because they allow educators to gauge a student's understanding of the material and identify areas where they may need additional instruction or practice. Mastery learning is based on the premise that students can achieve a high level of understanding if they are given the appropriate time and support to learn. By implementing frequent assessments, teachers can provide timely feedback to help students stay on track, adjust their learning strategies, and ensure that they truly understand each concept before moving on to the next one. This approach encourages a deeper grasp of the material and fosters a more individualized learning pace, which is essential for achieving mastery.

Collaborative group projects, holistic grading criteria, and a single examination at the end of the term do not align as closely with the core principles of mastery learning. While these elements can be beneficial in different educational contexts, they do not focus on the iterative process of assessment and individualized feedback that is central to mastery learning.