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Our education department is working overtime in encouraging colleges to base learning on competency. This was conveyed to them through a recent letter outlining details on how they could go about it.

It was when officials were all set to approve an application for direct assessment from College for America’s participation in the federal financial aid programs by the Southern New Hampshire University that the letter was issued by the department. This new learning model will first be tested by this college.

The Chronicle of Higher Education says that since the year 2005, direct assessment was enough for colleges to apply for and access federal aid. The letter however is very specific and details ways by which colleges can establish competency based programs. There is a clear indication that our Education Department will adopt a progressive viewpoint where it will look beyond traditional learning models that include specific credit hours and classroom seat time.

This could mean a lot for our higher education system say supporters of this new model based on competency. The key here is that it doubles up as a proxy for learning, according to Southern New Hampshire University president Paul LeBlanc.

Our education secretary Arne Duncan sounded optimistic when he said that this is one of the major steps that could point way towards a permanent solution for our students and give them access to affordable education.

He went on to say that most of our adult learners and students require the necessary flexibility to gain education amidst their busy work schedule. The only way they can fit education in their lives is by attending classes at their own pace. This can be made possible only through competency-based programs. Understandably, just like in any program that has a dynamic, futuristic outlook, there are sceptics who feel this may not be a good choice over traditional classroom model of education.

An assurance was given to reporters of The Chronicle of Higher Education by Martha J. Kanter, our education undersecretary that any competency based program would be approved only after it is meticulously evaluated. Some of the major concerns critics are bothered about include how employers would view this new approach and the possible misuse or fraud of federal aid money. 

The approval process must be extensive and exhaustive. Firstly, the assessment must be approved by accreditors and the fact that competencies are as good as credit hours must be demonstrated by the programs.

The letter specifies that demonstration of competency can be done through measures such as presentations, examinations, papers, projects, portfolios and performances. The new method will be tweaked and tested by the department that will be working along with accreditors and colleges. Newer approaches for competency based learning will continue to be worked upon.

A meeting among philanthropists including Lumina Foundation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be held shortly to provide space for department officials, state regulators, colleges and accreditors to come up with ideas to prevent fraud and promote competency-based learning.