Washington, D.C. –The rise of 21st century learners who are highly mobile and who have gained knowledge and skills from multiple institutions and practical experiences is highlighting the value of a form of learning and credentialing called competency-based education. In many cases, higher education institutions design programs around competencies as a way to ensure quality and to communicate what their graduates are expected to know. In these programs, students can progress toward a degree by demonstrating required competencies, regardless of how they acquire their knowledge and skills.
Competency-based education is taking many forms, from entire institutions based on measuring competencies after learning experiences to digital badges and emerging software tools for measuring discrete skills. Policymakers must wrestle with complex issues as this form of education moves into the mainstream of higher education. What is the standard for learning outcomes? What assessments validate learning? How should education be paid for if competency measurements allow for non time-based education?
Join the Center for American Progress and the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, along with leaders from institutions pioneering competency-based higher education, to discuss the opportunities and challenges of this educational model.
WHO:
Welcoming remarks:
Michael Ettlinger, Vice President for Economic Policy, Center for American Progress
Opening remarks:
Eduardo Ochoa, Assistant Secretary for Postsecondary Education, U.S. Deptartment of Education
Featured presentation:
Rebecca Klein-Collins, Research Director, Council for Adult and Experiential Learning
Featured panelists:
Amy Laitinen, Senior Policy Analyst, Education Sector
Mary Lee Pollard, Dean of Nursing, Excelsior College
Ralph Wolff, President, Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Moderated by:
Stephen Steigleder, Policy Analyst, Center for American Progress
WHEN:
June 7, 2012
10:30am – 12:30pm
Coffee will be served at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Center for American Progress
1333 H St. NW, 10th Floor
Washington, DC 20005
RSVP:
RSVP for this event
For more information, contact Katie Peters at [email protected] or 202.741.6285.
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