A Case for Competency-based Classrooms

Ashtyn Mathews

With evolving education models and a recent mad dash toward distance learning, many schools are looking closely at the benefits of competency-based education. Instead of relying on traditional timing, standardized grading, and term-based content, schools with competency-based models are exploring a more personalized, in-depth approach to student success.

Competency-based education calls for students to master specific, individual competencies to determine learning progress over time. Weighted, lengthy, summative exams are a thing of the past; schools are making way for frequent, formative, and focused assessments and activities to determine which competencies students have mastered … and which competencies might still need fine-tuning.

Considering competency-based education? Here are a few tips to start the competency conversation!

Be open to change. Incorporating competency-based learning into your school’s framework does not need to be hard or fast change. Growth takes time and incorporating new styles of learning and assessment can feel daunting if administered too quickly.

Be strategic about standards and competencies. Learning standards, targets, competencies, and concepts come in many shapes and sizes. When curating your school’s competencies within each concept or course, carefully review student learning expectations and ensure that each competency is valuable and specific to student success.

Be inclusive. In the education world, “change” should always include teacher insights. Teachers spend hours with your students every day! When determining if competency-based education is a smart solution for your school, ask a few teachers for their input and welcome them into the competency conversation.

Register for a Blackbaud University course on competency-based education. If you’re looking for additional information about enabling and using the new competency-based education features in Blackbaud’s education management portfolio, K–12 Academics: Competency-based Education - Configuration and K–12 Academics: Competency-based Education - Utilization are the perfect classes for you.


Good news for Blackbaud Learn® subscribers! If you have a Learn More or Learn Everything training subscription, this course is included. Not a subscriber? Find out how a Learn subscription can help develop your efficiency and ongoing skills.