EARLY ADOPTERS: Competency-based education, which evaluates students’ progress by measuring mastery of material rather than time spent in class, has been part of higher education for 40 years. But a new report from nonprofit, nonpartisan institution Public Agenda comprehensively describes how this model of learning takes shape across colleges and universities. The study, which reflects data from 179 individuals who are known to be designing or delivering a CBE program, finds that public institutions are the most frequent adopters of these programs. Respondents say the biggest barriers to implementation are creating compatible data systems and tying these programs to financial aid.
