Do you have questions about CBE? We can help!

Susan Ross

You might have heard about the new Competency-based Education (CBE) module now available in Blackbaud’s Learning Management System. You might also be asking, what is CBE? Where did it come from? And most importantly, how is it relevant for my school? CBE is a method of academic instruction and evaluation that is based on student mastery of measurable learning topics. Here are a few of the ways your school might benefit from exploring CBE.

Teachers provide more meaningful and precise feedback. Traditional classrooms often focus on total scores, averages, and ranking. Students may not make the connection between what they learned and the grade they received. With CBE, teachers assess specific skills and competencies, and provide narrative feedback whenever possible. Students see the connection between their learning progression and the evaluation of skills. Students can also see which skills need more work.

Schools clearly identify which skills students need to acquire. CBE can help sharpen your school’s vision and mission by prompting discussions and decisions about the skills and competencies students will acquire during their time at your school. Your school can clearly articulate to your various audiences what you expect of your students and teachers. In addition, your school can ensure that what you teach and what you evaluate match.

Learning is more personalized and less industrial. Instead of having a factory mindset where every student has the same experience, with CBE, your school can move toward a more personalized model where students have an individualized experience. By identifying more precisely which skills students have mastered or need to master, your school can provide support and flexibility to ensure all students reach mastery.

CBE is far from a one-size-fits-all solution; if you are interested in beginning a CBE conversation at your school, to help you get started, register for Blackbaud University’s newest class, K-12 Academics Best Practices: Exploring Competency-based Education.


Can’t wait? Explore the complete list of courses on the K–12 curriculum datasheet. These courses are included in your Learn More® or Learn Everything® training subscription for Blackbaud’s education management portfolio for K–12. Not a subscriber? You can purchase any of our courses individually, or request more information about the benefits of a Blackbaud Learn® subscription here.