Educational Model
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. Learners 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?
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Self-Awareness
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Interpersonal Communication
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Biblical Literacy
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Scriptural Interpretation and Reading
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Theological Literacy
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Acting Ethically
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Community Engagement and Advocacy
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Public Oratory and Preaching
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Congregational/Community Leadership
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Service​​
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How do learners demonstrate competency?​
Learners demonstrate competency through projects, case studies, reflective practices, community-based assignments, 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?
At JCSTS, the assumption is that learners are engagement our educational content on their own volition and of their own desire for achievement. Therefore, honest self-assessment is key to the success of this model. Where possible, JCSTS will implement a structure for peer-to-peer assessment by which key educational assignments are reviewed mutually among peers. Where additional assessment is warranted, JCSTS representatives are available to evaluate learners work based on clearly defined rubrics rather than on alpha numeric grades.
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Who supports learners 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 be active on one of The Justice Center's social media pages. When more concentrated support is desired, The Justice Center is able to provide a guide who will 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 learners 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 learners avail themselves of real life experience and practice new competencies in those contexts. 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. What makes it unique is that 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 learners 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 learners to take personal responsibility recognizing that the only one harmed by falsifying work and participation is the learner her/himself. This approach aligns with our commitment to forming leaders who embody honesty and justice in both scholarship and life.
How are learners expected to uphold the honor system?
Learners 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, learners 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. Learners may be asked to meet with adminstrators 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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