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Competency-based Education Toolkit

Digital Promise and Education Elements are excited to share the Competency-based Education (CBE) Toolkit and video series. They are the culmination of a multi-year effort in League districts to document and share lessons learned from their CBE implementation journey, based on this framework.

At its core, CBE personalizes learning by allowing students to develop and demonstrate mastery of skills critical to lifelong learning. From Utah to Wisconsin to New Jersey, lessons learned in and around CBE implementation – from assessment practices to network infrastructure – are now made freely available to everyone through this toolkit.

Video Series

Learn about the power of competency-based education, cross-district collaboration, and open education resources from leaders in Kettle Moraine School District, Mentor Public Schools, and Vista Unified School District.

Collaboration Project

Competency-based Education

Open Education Resources

Stakeholder Outreach & Input

Shared purpose and vision established across the community.

Community/Business Input

A CBE implementation is impossible without the buy-in of these critical stakeholders.

District/School Board Input

A CBE implementation is impossible without the buy-in of these critical stakeholders.

School Leader/Teacher Input

A CBE implementation is impossible without the buy-in of these critical stakeholders.

Student/Family Input

A CBE implementation is impossible without the buy-in of these critical stakeholders.

Curriculum & Instruction

Targeted support and resources available for all students; learning occurs independently & collaboratively.

Collaborative Learning Experiences for Students

Although competency-based education celebrates the mastery of the individual student, the power of collaboration cannot be forgotten.

Modular Content Aligned to Learning Objectives

CBE implementation requires excellent content that directly correlates to the competencies we measure.

Students as Self-Directed Learners

Helping student achieve greater self-direction through personalization using 5 transferable skills.

Timely, Differentiated Support for Students

Developing a system that allows students to simultaneously be supported at multiple levels of mastery is crucial.

Standards & Assessment

Flexible assessment of clear learning targets is focused on transferable knowledge.

Assessment Experiences Focused on Knowledge Transfer

Rethinking the way we define the demonstration of knowledge can be a helpful way to prove mastery in a competency.

Defined Learning Objectives

Clarity in the goals of competency-based standards is important for all stakeholders.

Defined Rubrics for Demonstrating Understanding

Clarity in the goals of competency-based standards is important for all stakeholders.

Flexible Assessment Schedule

As students progress at different rates, their readiness for assessment will also vary.

Infrastructure & Policy

Advancement through system is based on mastery, not seat time.

Data, Systems to Track Progress

Being able to visualize progress, for both students and teachers, can be a valuable way to provide agency.

District Policies for Grading, Credits, & Advancement

A systems-wide approach to recognizing competency-based education requires significant rethinking of traditional grading structures.

Hardware, Software, & Network investments

A technological infrastructure that supports CBE is an important investment in teacher and student success.

State Waivers, Higher Education Connections

It is important that schools set students up for future success, which often means big conversations with policy leaders and partners in higher education.

Support, Staffing & Scheduling

Professional learning, roles, and schedules are designed to support CBE and based on CBE principles.

Coaching for CBE Teaching, Curriculum, & Assessment

Transitioning a traditional classroom model is hard work, and can be daunting for teachers. The provision of coaching around this universe of to-dos.

Professional Learning Plans Mirroring CBE Principles

A systems-wide approach to competency-based education does not just mean students.

Schedules & Calendars Designed for CBE

CBE is a mastery-based model, and can require a rethinking of the traditional school day and year.

Staffing Models to Support CBE

With the celebration of students progressing at different rates, districts often need to rethink the way they support students best.