As interest grows in competency-based education (CBE),
planning is underway for the largest survey to date of institutions using CBE
programs and for a national conference on the topic this fall. The effort, led
by the nonprofit research organization Public Agenda, will help institutions
plan and develop CBE degrees, certificates, and other postsecondary
credentials, according to a report in eCampus News.
Research on models and trends in CBE is being conducted
to create a publicly available online source of information. In addition,
research-based design elements of CBE programs and online tools will be made
available to institutions interested in building a program.
The survey of institutions with CBE programs will be
presented at the CBExchange, Sept. 30-Oct. 2, in Phoenix, AZ. The purpose of the
study was to collect data on programs already in use, gauge the practices and
design elements of those programs, and measure the importance of those elements
to each institution.
A free CBE online resource is also set to launch in the
fall, housed on the Competency Based Education Network (C-BEN).
“As competency-based education gains momentum
nationwide, there is a growing need for resources that will help interested
colleges and universities develop thoughtful plans that lead to quality
progams,” said Alison Kadlec, senior vice president and director of higher
education and workforce programs at Public Agenda. “This 15-month project was
designed to produce a baseline understanding of the landscape and advances in
competency-based education and help inform various higher-education
stakeholders.”
