Policy Solutions that Foster Competency-Based Learning

Posted on March 10, 2021March 8, 2021 by coreeducation

For many state education leaders looking to recoup learning losses caused by interruptions during the COVID-19 pandemic, a competency-based approach is attractive. It provides the flexibility and autonomy for students to earn credits and satisfy diploma requirements by demonstrating mastery of competencies, rather than fulfilling seat time requirements. However, a competency-based approach requires fundamental changes Read more about Policy Solutions that Foster Competency-Based Learning[…]

Policy Actions and Responses to Leverage the Moment for Future Readiness

Posted on September 15, 2020September 22, 2020 by coreeducation

As school districts deliberate over reopening schools with the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, the Aurora Institute has developed a report with strategic guidance on how to harness our current opportunity to transform K-12 education. Education Policy Issues for the COVID-19 Era: Policy Actions and Responses to Leverage the Moment for Future Readiness offers insights and Read more about Policy Actions and Responses to Leverage the Moment for Future Readiness[…]

Cleveland Schools Considering ‘Mastery’ Learning Initiative That Would Scrap Grade Levels

Posted on June 4, 2020May 31, 2020 by coreeducation

Recently The 74 reported on a new initiative in Cleveland designed to confront Coronavirus learning loss by focusing on mastery learning. Excerpts of the piece appear below: A bold proposal in Cleveland could set the tone for how schools around the country could restart in the fall, one that takes into account students’ vastly different Read more about Cleveland Schools Considering ‘Mastery’ Learning Initiative That Would Scrap Grade Levels[…]

May Issue Brief: Competency-Based Learning

Posted on May 28, 2020May 26, 2020 by coreeducation

It sounds simple—award credit based on student learning. But as schools grapple with how to determine what students have learned during this period of social distancing and how to award credit for this learning, questions have arisen about the best way to go about implementing competency-based approaches. Complexities related to student grouping, curriculum design, scheduling, Read more about May Issue Brief: Competency-Based Learning[…]

49 of 50 States Now Enable Competency-Based Education

Posted on March 26, 2020March 24, 2020 by coreeducation

The Aurora Institute (previously iNACOL) released the updated CompetencyWorks map, a snapshot of K-12 competency education state policy across the United States. Since 2012, iNACOL’s CompetencyWorks initiative has published an annual snapshot map of the United States, categorizing states into levels at which their policy environments and state activities support competency-based education. In 2012, nearly Read more about 49 of 50 States Now Enable Competency-Based Education[…]

Supporting Teachers Through Policies for Personalized Learning

Posted on September 3, 2019April 30, 2020 by coreeducation

If state leaders want more student-driven learning in classrooms, creating policies that support teachers is critical. That’s according to a new report from iNACOL, a nonprofit that supports competency-based education. The report outlines five recommendations for state policy leaders on how to help develop teachers so they’re prepared for competency-based instruction: 1. Convene a state Read more about Supporting Teachers Through Policies for Personalized Learning[…]

Strategies to Support Teachers of Competency-Based Education

Posted on February 7, 2019April 30, 2020 by coreeducation

iNACOL has released a new report, Moving Toward Mastery: Growing, Developing and Sustaining Educators for Competency-Based Education. The publication re-envisions professional practice, learning and development for educators in competency-based education. As school districts transition to new, more powerful student-centered learning models, it is critical that educators leading the transformative practice are equipped for their new Read more about Strategies to Support Teachers of Competency-Based Education[…]

Learn Next: A Toolbox for Educators to Transform Practice

Posted on October 31, 2018October 26, 2018 by coreeducation

Every student deserves access to powerful learning experiences – experiences that help them develop agency, grow their skills and expand their curiosities. Many schools are shifting their practices to be more student-centered in hopes of ultimately developing these qualities in students. We know in transformative environments that the learning and facilitation looks very different. This Read more about Learn Next: A Toolbox for Educators to Transform Practice[…]

Career Readiness and Cross-Sector Competencies

Posted on August 30, 2018March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

A new white paper from America Achieves focuses on the role cross-sector competencies play in career readiness. Getting Real about Career Readiness: A Focus on Cross-Sector Competencies is the first in a series of multi-media white papers from America Achieves Educator Networks on promising education practices for preparing students for the changing world of work. Read more about Career Readiness and Cross-Sector Competencies[…]

Educators Reach Consensus on What It Takes to Integrate Social, Emotional, and Academic Development

Posted on March 26, 2018March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

The Aspen Institute National Commission on Social, Emotional, and Academic Development has released a report from leading educators describing the practices and principles that can make a new vision of learning part of the fabric of schools and classrooms across the nation. The Practice Base for How We Learn outlines promising practices that show how Read more about Educators Reach Consensus on What It Takes to Integrate Social, Emotional, and Academic Development[…]

Assess Your Competency-Based Education Implementation

Posted on October 3, 2017March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

How do you know if your school is on track for implementing high-quality competency-based education (CBE) strategies in the classroom? States, districts, and schools that want to realize the college- and career-readiness potential of CBE must look beyond the CBE label to ensure that core CBE features are happening in every classroom every day. The Read more about Assess Your Competency-Based Education Implementation[…]

State Policy & K-12 Competency-Based Education

Posted on September 27, 2017March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

An iNACOL Issue Brief by Dale Frost and Maria Worthen provides an overview of competency-based education and offers state policy recommendations and resources for policymakers who are ready to enable and support competency-based education. Competency-based education is a next generation learning model that focuses on all students achieving mastery, preparing them for success in college, Read more about State Policy & K-12 Competency-Based Education[…]

Competency-Based Education

Posted on July 14, 2017March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

The Education Commission of the States is out with a new policy snapshot that explores competency-based education and provides an overview of current and previous legislation related to this approach. The main goal of competency-based education serves to award credit/degrees to students for meeting specific skill competencies agreed upon by faculty, industry leaders and workforce Read more about Competency-Based Education[…]

Expanding the Research Base for Competency-based Education

Posted on September 15, 2016March 3, 2020 by coreeducation

AEI has released a new series on Competency-Based Higher Education (CBE), titled Innovate and Evaluate: Expanding the Research Base for Competency-based Education. The authors, Andrew P. Kelly and Rooney Columbus say, “Clearly, the benefits of expanding access to CBE could be substantial. But, what does existing research suggest about the likely effect of reforms to promote CBE? Read more about Expanding the Research Base for Competency-based Education[…]

Competency-Based Teacher Preparation

Posted on March 9, 2016March 4, 2016 by coreeducation

In a recent article in Real Clear Education, Patrick Riccard reflects on the potential for teacher preparation programs to implement a competency-based approach. Excerpts from the article appear below: Demonstrating knowledge and ability should be the key criterion for teachers’ preparation, placement, development, and advancement. Teacher preparation must begin to shift from a “time served” Read more about Competency-Based Teacher Preparation[…]