What Is Competency-Based Learning, Why Does It Matter?

January 29, 2016

What Is Competency-Based Learning, Why Does It Matter?

Every Classroom Matters episode 210

From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis

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New Hampshire and educator John Martin are at the forefront of the competency-based learning movement. In today’s show, we’ll give you an overview of competency-based learning including some of the benefits and the problems. Whatever your school situation, by having teachers agree upon standard competencies that students master, schools can be more certain of what students know. Listen Now.

Think about it. As John says in the show, high school teachers say the kids are coming to them unprepared and blame the middle school teachers. Middle school points down to elementary. Elementary points to kindergarten. And kindergarten blames the parents. Who is responsible?

But, wow, are there some challenges! Competencies by nature remove the class rank and the coveted valedictorian’s spot. Learners are working at a different pace. Even assessment changes with competency-based learning. And when students master things quickly, in some ways, they need to be pushed to level up past the competency. John has a frank conversation about the pros and cons of competency-based learning and how his district is working through the challenges. This is an important conversation to share with curriculum directors, policy makers, and those looking to level up past standards to competencies.

Essential Questions: What Is Competency-Based Learning, Why Does It Matter?

What is competency-based learning?
What are some of the challenges teachers experience with moving to competency-based learning?
What are some of the parent complaints about competency-based learning?
What are some of the challenges for college admissions from students graduating from school that uses competency-based learning?
How does teaching change when a school moves to competency-based learning?