Could a regulatory overhaul open up the gates for competency-based education?

educationdive | March 14, 2019

Nearly 25 years ago, 18 governors gathered in Park City, Utah, and found common ground in the problems that plagued colleges in their home states. Their complaints are familiar, even today: There was too much regulation, too many hang-ups with accreditation and too much resistance to meaningfully improve higher education.So, they decided, they would build their own university from the bottom-up.Two ideas emerged during that 1995 meeting that formed the backbone of the hypothetical university, according to an account by Kevin Kinser, now head of the education policy studies department at Penn State University.One was using the newfound capabilities of the internet to reach students across state lines. That would be critical to address growing enrollment in the nation's western states. The second was a more radical suggestion: awarding credentials based on whether students could prove they mastered a skill, instead of how much time they spent in the classroom. Colorado's governor, Roy Romer, suggested the governors create a university to pilot the idea.The idea, competency-based education (CBE), traces its origins back hundreds of years with the use of outcomes-based learning in fields requiring technical skills or licenses, such as the military and the law. But it had never before been attempted at scale. That would change when the governors' two ideas came together in 1997 with the opening of Western Governors University.

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Spotlight

Instancy is at the forefront of revolutionizing the eLearning landscape by harnessing the power of Generative AI. Our comprehensive solutions are designed to cater to diverse learning needs, transcending traditional barriers and empowering knowledge workers, trainers, and management alike. For Knowledge Workers, we provide instant access to performance-enhancing information right within their daily workflow. Our system ensures timely and efficient delivery of knowledge, enabling users to perform optimally, right at the moment. For Trainers, our no-code Generative AI-powered tools facilitate rapid and intelligent content creation. This reduces content development costs by over 50% and speeds up the content time by 70%. Our platform's unique blend of smart technology with human creativity offers trainers an unmatched experience in developing blended learning content.

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Businesswire | July 21, 2023

Age of Learning, leading education technology innovator and creator of the widely popular ABCmouse® Early Learning Academy, and AASA, The School Superintendents Association, today announced a strategic partnership to support district superintendents in identifying and implementing evidence-based solutions that early childhood educators can use to effectively personalize learning in the classroom. The partnership reflects the commitment of both organizations to prioritize early childhood education initiatives and promote change within districts by facilitating access to best practices and emerging research. AASA’s Leadership Network, the largest and most diverse network of school district leaders in America, is committed to supporting a pipeline of diverse superintendents and educational leaders as they refine the knowledge, skills, and dispositions for highly effective leadership. To forward this purpose, AASA has established several cohorts, each comprised of current and aspiring superintendents, as platforms for leaders to engage in collaborative professional learning. Through this new partnership, Age of Learning will work with multiple cohort leaders to recommend research and case studies for possible use in professional learning activities. The company is partnering on AASA’s Early Learning Cohort, Aspiring Superintendents Academy®, and Aspiring Superintendents Academy® for Female Leaders. “The need for evidence-based solutions for early learners has never been greater,” said Sunil Gunderia, Chief Innovation Officer at Age of Learning. “Through our partnership with AASA, we will work with district leaders to advance evidence-based solutions that support educators with actionable data, and together we will help school leaders and teachers deliver transformative results.” “Early childhood education is a key driver in ensuring students have long term academic success,” said David R. Schuler, Executive Director, AASA. “Age of Learning’s investment in effective early learning solutions makes it great partner for AASA as we work with district leaders to develop the most effective experiences for young learners.” This partnership builds on Age of Learning’s ongoing support for schools via its personalized and adaptive programs, My Math Academy® and My Reading Academy™, solutions that are based on well-established principles of learning science research and are supported by a body of ESSA-aligned research demonstrating their effectiveness. To date, the company has received 10 ESSA-aligned validations for My Math Academy and My Reading Academy. About Age of Learning Age of Learning® is the leading education technology innovator, creating engaging and effective learning resources to help children build a strong foundation for academic success and a lifelong love of learning. The company’s research-based digital education programs have been developed by an experienced team of education experts and have proven efficacy in increasing children’s learning gains. Age of Learning’s flagship product, ABCmouse.com® Early Learning Academy, is an award-winning comprehensive curriculum for children. The company’s school solutions programs include My Math Academy®, an adaptive, personalized program proven to significantly accelerate math learning outcomes, and My Reading Academy™, an adaptive program designed to help young learners build a foundation for reading comprehension and literacy and become fluent readers. With over 10 billion learning activities completed by more than 50 million children worldwide, Age of Learning is a global leader in efforts to advance equity, access, and opportunity for all children. About AASA AASA, The School Superintendents Association, founded in 1865, is the professional organization for more than 13,000 educational leaders in the United States and throughout the world. AASA’s mission is to support and develop effective school system leaders who are dedicated to equitable access for all students to the highest quality public education.

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YouScience® Brightpath Empowers Educators and Students for Academic and Career Success

PR Newswire | August 25, 2023

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FP Canada™ Chooses Meazure Learning to Continue Administration and Delivery of Its Certification Exams

PRnewswire | July 26, 2023

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