The Case for Competency-Based Education. Fastback 118.

Overview & Synopsis

Activity and interest in competency-based education are growing. As of March 1978, some type of competency-based education requirement had been instituted in 34 states. Many recent changes in American society are affecting competency-based education. For example, today's learners are likely to be lifelong learners, but their learning may be intermittent. Jobs are changing from low-skill manual labor jobs to high-skill technical positions. Needs and roles of the citizen, the consumer, and the family member are changing. Traditional high school graduation requirements are becoming obsolete. The five major characteristics of competency-based education are that it is a learner-centered philosophy, it is a policy demand, it is real-life oriented, it is flexible, and its standards are clearly articulated. Contrary to the opinion of critics, competency-based education is not really new or revolutionary, is not an emphasis on only the measurable, and does not underestimate the complexity of individuals and of social systems. Oregon was the first state to institute competency-based education and in spite of some implementation problems, the program is beginning to be successful. Competency-based education is certainly not all of education but it is the foundation on which all other schooling must be built. (Author/JM)