State lawmaker studies mastery-based learning in La Conner

The eyes of Olympia were on La Conner Schools last week focusing on the district's innovative approach to assessing student learning.

And state leaders visiting the local campus liked what they saw.

State Sen. Lisa Wellman, chair of its early learning and K-12 education committee and Alissa Muller, director of the state board of education's mastery-based learning collaborative, met with students and staff here Oct. 4 to view and receive feedback on the La Conner district's mastery-based learning initiative.

Wellman even joined students to help prepare and bake apple galettes in teacher Peter V...