Competency Based Education (CBE)

Competency Based Education

What is competency based education?

Competency based education is a system of instruction, assessment, grading, and
academic reporting that is based on students demonstrating that they have learned the
knowledge and skills they are expected to learn as they progress through their
education.

Flexible environments for learning
Flexible pacing for learning
Personalized pathways for students

Why should we believe in competency based education?

Competency based education ensures that all graduates are college and career ready
for whatever path a graduate chooses. The traditional model is a one-size fits all
education system, in which students’ knowledge is tested as a one-and-done method.

Transferability of knowledge and skills
Increased student engagement
Increased academic rigor

How are we going to accomplish competency based education?

Competency based education is based on a transformation of collaboration, culture and
climate, curriculum.

School culture
Learning progressions and pace
Instruction
Assessment system
Grading policies
Graduation requirements

Definitions:

Competency: A competency is a student’s ability to transfer content and skills into a novel situation. It
consists of a framework of standards and learning progressions.

Standard: Content or skills that define a content area.

Academic rigor: In-depth mastery of challenging tasks to develop cognitive skills through reflective
thought, analysis, problem-solving, evaluation, or creativity (International Center for Leadership in
Education, 2007)

Transferability: Successful use of one’s knowledge and skill in situation of importance