Competency-based education as a mastery-advancement model addressing flexibility and workforce-skill demands¶

Theory · All theories
Evidence · 3 claims (2 for, 1 mixed) · 3 studies (2 associational, 1 causal), q2 · 0 of 3 report an effect size

Description¶

The report describes competency-based education (CBE) as an instructional model in which "students to move through material independently, advancing when they demonstrate content mastery." It situates CBE as a response to "student demand for flexible, career-relevant programs and to employer demand for skilled workers," and evaluates its application in online community college IT programs funded through a TAACCCT grant. The report contributes evidence on CBE outcomes to the public conversation around CBE in community college contexts.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Programs must allow independent progression through material with advancement contingent on demonstrated content mastery.

Constraints¶

• The evidence base is a single three-college consortium evaluation in online information technology programs, limiting generalization beyond that context.

Target Learners¶

• Community college students
• Dislocated and low-skilled workers

Target Learning Objectives¶

• IT industry certifications
• College certificates
• Associate's degrees
• Employment and wage gains

Claims¶

• Taaccct Cbe 35 Percent Program Completion [+M]
• Taaccct Cbe Gatekeeper Credential Comparisons [~M]
• Participants completed programs quickly, averaging less than two terms to a first certification course and about four terms to certificates and degrees [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Competency-based education measures learning rather than class time, letting students progress at a flexible pace upon demonstrating mastery
• Competency-based education: students advance through material independently upon demonstrating content mastery

Examples¶

• TAACCCT consortium implementing flexibly paced CBE programs in information technology
• Use external consulting and technical assistance to help colleges adapt programs to time-variant CBE models
• Competency Based Progression
• Competency-Based Learning
• Competency Based Learning
• Mastery Progression
• Mastery Based Progression

Key Sources¶

• Person, A. E., Thomas, J., Bruch, J., Johann, A., & Maestas, N. (2016). Outcomes of Competency-Based Education in Community Colleges: Summative Findings from the Evaluation of a TAACCCT Grant. Oakland, CA: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/outcomes-of-competencybased-education-in-community-colleges-summative-findings-from-the-evaluation