Archive
component:for-whom.credentials
Competency-Based Progress
Susan Patrick, iNACOL (where I'm a director) and Chris Sturgis teamed up on a great new site, CompetencyWorks. While the shift to digital is key, and extending the reach of great teachers is important, the shift from age-cohorts to to a show-what-you-know system will prove to be the most profound--and challenging--educational change of our time. That's why the conversation and community on CompetencyWorks is so important.
Better Learning Online
Learning online is rapidly becoming part of every student's day whether it's a game on a smart phone, a workstation in a classroom, or an online course with a teacher at a distance. As full and part-time online learning becomes more ubiquitous, critics have become more vocal. Reports have criticized mixed results on traditional measures. State leaders press for effectiveness and efficiency.
NAF Launches Student Certification Assessment System
National Academy Foundation announced a new certification system today. We think it signals a real commitment on NAF's part to getting serious about outcomes. We are bullish on certification systems as market signaling strategy that will grow in importance over time. We like the way NAF approached the design of this system. They are one of small handful of organizations that has the reach to do this at scale. In other words, we think this is a pretty big deal.
Higher Ed Leaders & Laggards
The Chamber released a state-by-state report card on public post secondary education. The report suggests that public colleges must do a better job of measuring their efficiency and quality. The report points to seven reasons that completion rates, cost efficiency and improved outcomes matter:
Changing the Economics of Higher Education
Sal Khan sees a mismatch of expectations in higher education between institutions and some consumers. He thinks open learning and skills certification will grow in importance. A transformation of higher ed is takin place in four categories: super low-cost post-sec, competency-based credits, job certification, and degree alternatives.
10 Must-Haves to Lift Us from the Grading Quagmire
Converting existing schools to a competency-based environment can be a monumental challenge. At the top of the list of controversial items is grading—the old A-F system imprinted in our brains. There are 10 edtech advances that will help make the competency-based environments easier to manage.
Making AP a Bigger & Better Competency-Based System
Two million high school students took AP tests this month. AP may be the world's largest competency-based learning system. There are at least five opportunities to make it bigger and better.
Improving Urban Education Options: A Digital Portfolio Approach
There are three key strategies to improving urban schools: bring high expectations to life, create and portfolio of quality options, and phase in personal digital learning
College Completion: Still a Big Deal, So Let’s Make It Easier and Cheaper
The return on investment from American colleges is dropping. But disruptive alternatives—like free—will pop the bubble for third tier institutions. Declining subsidies will convert your favorite state U into a selective private institution. Let’s make sure the massive public subsidy is producing an ROI.
College Completion Q&A Sam Smith
Sam Smith is a director of Western Governors University, an online and competency-based program. He said, "We’ve found that a close working relationship with an academic advisor is the most important factor to completion. That’s a much more active role than the 1970s approach of creating a student center and hoping that students that need help seek it out. Weekly check-ins with an advisor ensures that students stay on track.