The majority of adult learners are looking to attain their desired academic credentials within the shortest amount of time possible. By implementing competency-based programs, learners are accelerated through their designed program or course. The Handbook of Research on Competency-Based Education in University Settings is a pivotal reference source for the latest academic research on the use of competency-based testing in higher education institutions. Focusing on innovative practices, strategies, and real-world scenarios, this book is ideally designed for educators, students, administrators, professionals, and academics interested in emerging developments for competency-based education initiatives.

In 1986, the International Board of Standards for Training, Performance, and Instruction (IBSTPI) published the first edition of "Instructional Design [ID] Competencies: The Standards." It was the culmination of work that began in 1978. In this third edition, IBSTPI presents its latest view of the competencies of instructional designers. It is a greatly expanded view that reflects the complexities of current practice and technology, theoretical advancements, and the social tenor of the times. The level of proficiency described in the 1986 Competencies was taken to represent an instructional designer who would probably have at least three years of experience in the field beyond entry-level training. The current revision takes this notion considerably further in two ways. First, it discriminates between the essential and the advanced levels. Second, it discriminates between competencies which are universally recognized as required of all practitioners and those which have broad but not universal support. The current edition has added a section called "Professional Foundations." This section explicitly recognizes the importance of a knowledge base for ID and the professional responsibility practitioners have for career-long learning and update of that knowledge base. This recognition of knowledge as a foundation to practice was left implicit in the first version. The current revision has also found a way to recognize the importance of technological competence for the practitioner while continuing to recognize both the volatility and the context-specificity of expertise with any particular technology. The section now called "Implementation and Management" represents a considerable strengthening of the intent of the original. This represents both a better awareness of the role these competencies play in ID and also the increasing importance of ID in the success of knowledge-based enterprises, especially in business environments. Chapters are: (1) "Instructional Design Competence"; (2) "The 2000 IBSTPI Instructional Design Competencies"; (3) "The ID Competencies: Discussion and Analysis"; (4) "The Role and Use of ID Competencies"; (5) "The Competencies and ID Specialization"; and (6) "The Competency Validation Research." Appendices include the 1986 ID Competencies and Performance Statements, a glossary, bibliography, IBSTPI Code of Ethical Standards for Instructional Designers, and list of organizations participating in Competency validation. (Contains 48 references.) (AEF)

Competency education is student-centric, personalizing student progress so that every child has adequate time and support to reach proficiency every step of the way. Competency education fundamentally changes the way the educational enterprise is organized around student needs, and thus must have a dynamic IT system to support it. Following an introductory essay, "Getting Ahead: Mature IT for Competency Education" by Susan Patrick, President and CEO of the International Association for K-12 Online Learning, this paper demonstrates the importance of analyzing and examining our knowledge of what makes up an effective competency-based information system. While designing competency education systems, it is important to keep student learning at the core, to incorporate interoperability principles, and to use an enterprise architecture approach that enables schools and districts to effectively manage their institutions. These systems need to be able to communicate, to supply the data and support that administrators, educators, and students need in order to know exactly how individual students are progressing based on clear competencies. Based on interviews and research, the ideas in this report build upon the information systems developed by competency education innovators, best practices of systemic approaches to information management, and emerging opportunities. This paper is designed for readers to find the sections that are of most interest to them in their role and to be used to catalyze strategies, support new competency-based instructional models, and inform decision making for continuous improvement. Consider this paper as an opportunity to catalyze conversations in your organization and networks about how IT systems can be designed with student learning at their core. The following are appended: (1) Multiple Initiatives Working on Interoperability, Data Standards, and Technical Services; (2) Writing an RFI or RFP: Competency Education Information Technology Considerations; and (3) Glossary.

Despite the promise of competency-based education (CBE), learner-centered issues related to support, retention, and program completion rates remain problematic. In addition, the infrastructure for higher education, including issues related to faculty (intellectual property, workload, and curriculum), pose barriers and challenges in the design, development, implementation, and delivery of CBE. In response, administrators, faculty, designers, and developers of competency-based experiences must incorporate innovative strategies that are foreign to the traditional institution. A strong emphasis on retention and graduation rates must surround the student with support, starting with the design and development of the CBE system. There are few resources that can help prepare instructional designers, advisors, academic administrators, and faculty to meet the many challenges of designing, developing, implementing, and managing CBE. Career Ready Education Through Experiential Learning is an essential reference book that includes strategies for design and development of competency-based education (CBE) programs, as well as administrative and delivery strategies as examples of how CBE can be implemented. Through a strong theoretical framework, chapters present the best practices, strategies, and practical tips as examples and scenarios that can be used in higher education settings. While highlighting education courses, programs, and lessons across various institutions and educational domains, this book is ideal for higher education administrators and policy designers/implementors, instructional designers, curriculum developers, faculty, public policy leaders, students in curriculum and instruction and instructional technology programs, along with researchers and practitioners interested in CBE and experiential learning in higher education.