Welcome to Competency-Based Education: The Why, What, and How!

About This Course

Many schools across the country are exploring competency-based education (CBE) as a pathway for transforming the school experience. In this course, instructor Justin Reich and the MIT Teaching Systems Lab team will help you develop an understanding of the characteristic elements of CBE and how schools are implementing it.

You will learn why so many educators are excited about CBE and its potential for closing opportunity gaps, as well as challenges and concerns. You will get a closer look at what the implementation of CBE looks and feels like for students, teachers, administrators, families, and community members. You will consider the kinds of system-wide shifts necessary to support this innovation in education. 

By looking at research and hearing from experts and voices in schools, you will leave the course equipped to start or continue conversations about whether CBE is a good fit in your context.

Overview

Unit 0: Welcome & What is Competency-Based Education? 

Unit 1: Why Competency-Based Education?

Assignment 1: Preparation for Creating Your Artifact

Unit 2: Competency-Based Education in the Classroom 

Office Hours #1 

Assignment 2: Create an Artifact to Prompt a Conversation Around CBE (Draft 1) 

Office Hours #2 

Unit 3: Considering Competency-Based Education Systems

Assignment 3: Refine Your Artifact (Draft 2)

Office Hours #3