October 22, 2021
Education based on competencies... has the power to deliver equitable economic advancement
JFF’s Stacey Clawson in “Competency-Based Learning Can Power an Equitable Recovery”
JFF Associate Vice President Stacey Clawson recently co-authored an opinion column that was published on Higher Ed Dive.
She and Charla Long, executive director of the Competency-Based Education Network, argue that it’s time to overhaul higher education and adopt “a model of learning and credentialing that focuses on what a student truly knows and can do—their competencies—rather than arbitrary markers of success, like the years they spent in a classroom.”
“Education based on competencies, rather than time alone, has the power to deliver equitable economic advancement,” they write.
Competency-based education (CBE) offers a model for flexible, outcomes-focused learning that empowers learners and provides clear signals to employers.
Traditional higher education is increasingly insufficient for many adults seeking workforce success and economic mobility, especially for students whose skills are not yet college ready. It has become critical for learners, postsecondary institutions, and
