Broadening the concept of learning and school competence

In this article I contend that educators need to broaden their conception of competence and their thinking about desired educational outcomes. A myriad of talents and affective dispositions, in addition to academic achievement, are necessary for successful functioning in today's evolving society. Furthermore, a sense of competence is a basic human psychological need. Thus, schools must become places where all students, not just the highest academic performers, can cultivate their skills, where they can feel competent and experience success, I suggest some strategies schools could use to implement a broader definition of competence and argue that schools must take responsibility for each student's learning and development by capitalizing on her strengths, for valuing both the academic and nonacademic outcomes necessary for life success, and for helping each student achieve her fullest potential.