Competency-based education measures learning rather than class time, letting students progress at a flexible pace upon demonstrating mastery¶

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¶

CBE is an educational model in which, as the brief states, "it measures learning rather than class time." Students move through material independently, usually in preparation for specific jobs, progressing when they demonstrate mastery of required knowledge and skills called competencies. Students set their own schedule rather than being tied to defined semester or term start dates or class meeting times, and can move quickly through material they already know, potentially accelerating completion. The brief presents this as the defining feature behind CBE's public appeal and its promise for filling workforce skills gaps.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Students must demonstrate mastery of required knowledge and skills (competencies) to progress
• Programs must define competencies, typically tied to specific jobs

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• college students, including dislocated and low-skilled workers

Target Learning Objectives¶

• job-specific knowledge and skills (competencies)

Claims¶

• Consortium-wide, 35% of CBE participants completed their program, with high employment rates and above-average wage growth after enrollment [+W]
• Differences in credential completion rates between CBE participants and nonparticipants varied by college, possibly reflecting unobservable group differences [~W]
• CBE participants completed programs quickly, averaging less than two terms to a first industry certification course and about four terms to certificates and degrees [+W]

Related Theories¶

• Competency-based education as a mastery-advancement model addressing flexibility and workforce-skill demands
• Competency-based education defined by variable-time mastery of measurable competencies
• Competency-based education: students advance through material independently upon demonstrating content mastery
• Learner-Centered Paradigm of Education

Examples¶

• Competency Based Progression
• Competency Based Learning
• Use Mastery Learning
• Mastery Based Progression
• Competency-Based Learning
• Promote student agency by letting students decide the pace of their work and whether to complete it independently or collaboratively

Key Sources¶

• Ann Person. (2016). Competency-Based Education in College Settings. Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/competency-based-education-in-focus