Learn · Glossary
What is competency-based education?
Definition
Competency-based education (CBE) moves learners forward when they can show they've mastered a skill or competency, rather than after a fixed amount of time in class.
How it's assessed
- Clear competencies, each with evidence of mastery
- Continuous, practical assessment instead of one final exam
- Rubrics describing what mastery looks like
- Records per learner, per competency
Where it's used
Vocational training has long been competency-based. School systems are moving that way too; Kenya's curriculum reform is one example, and India's NEP 2020 asks for more competency-based assessment.
Questions
- Is CBE the same as mastery learning?
- They're close: both move on when a skill is mastered.
- What tools does CBE need?
- Good rubrics and a way to record evidence per learner.
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