Overview of selected state policies and supports related to K

Title:	Overview of selected state policies and supports related to K–12 competency-based education
Description:	This report categorizes and summarizes state laws and regulations relevant to competency based-education. Competency-based education is a system where students must demonstrate mastery of course content to be promoted to the next class or grade rather than spend a prerequisite number of hours in a class, with students allowed to take as much or as little time necessary to achieve a comprehensive understanding of course content. Policies associated with competency-based education are summarized for the seven states in the Regional Educational Laboratory Central region (Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming), as well five states identified as being proactive in aligning their policies to support competency-based education (Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Hampshire, and Oregon). This study also categorizes the different types of assistance and resources these states have provided to intentionally support competency-based education. State laws and regulations were classified into the following three broad policy categories: credit flexibility, academic progression flexibility, and individual learning options. Identified categories of state-provided supports for competency-based education included informational and technical assistance resources, support for educational collaboratives, and funding for pilot programs and demonstration sites. Descriptions and examples of each policy and support category are provided. State and school administrators can use the information in this report to learn about the policies and supports in their state and others as they consider implementing competency-based education.
Online Availability:	Download, view and print the report as a pdf file. (390KB)
Cover Date:	February 2017
Web Release:	February 28, 2017
Print Release:	February 28, 2017
Publication #:	REL 2017249 General Ordering Information
Center/Program:	REL
Associated Centers:	NCEE
Authors:	R. Marc Brodersen, David Yanoski, Katie Mason, and Helen Apthorp: Marzano Research; Jennifer Piscatelli: Augenblick, Palaich and Associates
Type of Product:	What's Happening
Keywords:	Curriculum • elementary school • middle school • secondary school Kindergarten States • state policy
Questions:	For questions about the content of this What's Happening, please contact: Amy Johnson.