Evaluate CBE programs against both implementation milestones and participant outcome targets, including comparison benchmarks¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The evaluation approach summarized here tracks whether colleges "successfully implemented their programs as planned, meeting most implementation milestones and outcome targets," and benchmarks participant outcomes against comparison students and national averages. This combines implementation fidelity monitoring with outcome measures such as program completion, gatekeeper course completion, credential completion, employment, and wage growth. The strategy supports evidence-informed scaling and sustainability decisions after a grant period.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Programs must define implementation milestones and outcome targets in advance so implementation and outcomes can both be assessed.

Constraints¶

• Comparisons with nonparticipants may reflect unobservable differences between the groups, as the article notes for credential completion.

Target Learners¶

• community college students enrolled in grant-funded career training programs

Target Learning Goals¶

• program completion
• credential attainment
• employment and wage outcomes

Related Strategies¶

• Compare CBE program participants with students in traditional online and brick-and-mortar programs at the same colleges

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Person, A. E., Thomas, J., & Goble, L. (2016). Implementation and Outcomes of Competency-Based Education in Three Community Colleges: Findings from the Comprehensive Evaluation of a TAACCCT Grant (Executive Summary). Oakland, CA: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/implementation-and-outcomes-of-competencybased-education-in-three-community-colleges-findings