BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WBNG) — State education officials and local teachers gathered Thursday to discuss a shift in how New York students learn and earn a diploma, with Binghamton among the districts leading the effort.
The event, held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Binghamton, brought together educators from across New York to hear how local districts are reshaping classroom instruction through performance-based learning and assessment, known as PBLA.
Binghamton High School is part of the state’s PLAN pilot program, which tests performance-based learning and assessment. Staff said years of preparation and teamwork made the transition possible.
Jessica Zwierzynski of the Binghamton City School District said the model changes the role students play in their own education.
“Traditionally, a lot of students are used to receiving information from a teacher… So with performance and project-based learning, the experience becomes much more active and inquiry-driven,” Zwierzynski said.
Teacher Sabrina Cahenzli, also of the Binghamton City School District, said the approach moved responsibility from teachers to students.
“So what we found when we were doing this project with our students was that it shifted responsibility from us onto them. We had a lot of students taking ownership in a way that they’ve not been used to before,” Cahenzli said.
Students remain graded and held to state standards, but teachers said project-based work provides a clearer picture of what students understand.
Jon Salgado of the Binghamton City School District said his initial concerns about meeting English standards were resolved once the work began.
“When I first started, I was a little concerned with how we were going to hit the English standards, and how I was going to be able to see whether or not these kids are getting these concepts in this vocabulary. And then it turns out that they were doing it in the moment,” Salgado said.
Paula Grassi of the Binghamton City School District said the message to teachers is to take risks with the new model.
“My best advice is take the risk. Really take the risk. We’re not looking for a gotcha moment to say that, oh, you didn’t do this well. We want to see you take that risk, because it’s teaching the kids how to take risks for their learning,” Grassi said.
The work in Binghamton and other PLAN pilot schools will help shape New York’s broader “New York Inspires” reforms, including new graduation requirements that roll out statewide in the 2027–28 school year.
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