Competency-Based Education: A Higher Return on Investment?

Competency-based programs could reduce the barriers many face to getting a college degree, whether adult learners who struggle to balance an academic calendar with work and family, or workers who want to get the credentials verifying skills they’ve acquired on the job.

The American Institutes for Research hosted a briefing on competency-based education, a flexible model of instruction that focuses on what students know and can do—rather than how much time they spend in the classroom. The event covered how competency-based education programs work, who they serve, and how they may give learners and employers a greater return on their educational investment than traditional educational programs. Panelists also examined competency-based initiatives underway across the country and described the challenges of starting and expanding these programs. See event materials at the bottom of this page.

Continue the conversation by following @Education_AIR and @EdPolicyAIR using the hashtag #CompetencyEd.