Current-day education poses a clear deficit in that we are using antiquated methods of education and evaluation to understand what our students are capable of and therefore what opportunities may exist for them. Enter competency-based education (CBE), also known as outcome-based education, transformative approaches that shift the focus from seat time and “passing the test” as the benchmarks of education to mastery of skills and knowledge.
Understanding Competency-Based Education
At its core, competency-based education is centered around the idea that students should progress based on their demonstrated mastery of specific competencies or learning objectives rather than by completing a predetermined amount of time in a classroom. In a competency-based model, learners advance through their education at their own pace, mastering each skill or concept before moving on to the next. In a classroom model, this may look like students being able to meet a different depth of topic studies based on their starting point and their ability to absorb and move through the ideas and tasks presented to them.
Competency-based education stands out in that it refocuses education goals toward demonstrated mastery and the application of knowledge and skills in the real world. This change builds a bridge between academics and employers, resulting in a better understanding of the knowledge and skills that students will need to succeed in work and in life.
Key Principles of Competency-Based Education
Clear Learning Outcomes: Competencies are clearly defined, measurable learning outcomes that articulate what students should know and be able to do.
Personalized Learning Paths: Students progress through their education allowing for personalized learning paths tailored to their individual strengths, needs, and interests.
Continuous Assessment: Learning is assessed through ongoing formative and summative assessments that measure mastery of competencies rather than compliance with time-based benchmarks.
Flexible Learning Environments: Competency-based education can take place in a variety of settings, including traditional classrooms, online platforms, experiential learning opportunities, and competency-based assessment centers.
Advantages of Competency-Based Education
Individualized Learning: CBE allows each student to progress at their own pace, providing additional support or challenge as needed to ensure mastery of key concepts and skills and developing each student to their best self.
Increased Engagement: By focusing on mastery and progress, rather than grades or seat time, CBE can increase student motivation and engagement in learning activities.
Improved Outcomes: Research suggests that competency-based education leads to improved learning outcomes, including higher levels of student achievement and retention.
Alignment with Workforce Needs: CBE emphasizes the development of practical, job-ready skills and competencies, making graduates more competitive in the workforce.
As of 2023, we are still developing our tools and processes to provide competency-based education and evaluation to provide a more flexible, personalized, and effective approach to education. By taking an inventory of our students baseline skills and abilities we can focus on growth, mastery, engagement, and real-world application of knowledge and skills to empower learners of all ages and backgrounds to achieve their full potential and thrive in an increasingly complex and dynamic world. As we embrace competency-based education, we move one step closer to realizing the vision of a more equitable, inclusive, and student-centered education system.