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What is Competency Based Education?

Competency Based Education Financial Aid Overview WASFAA – Reno, NV Lesley Phelps, Vice President, Regent Education Bob Collins, Vice President, WGU April 14, 2014. What is Competency Based Education? . The decoupling of seat time from academic progress

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What is Competency Based Education?

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  1. Competency Based Education Financial Aid OverviewWASFAA – Reno, NVLesley Phelps, Vice President, Regent EducationBob Collins, Vice President, WGU April 14, 2014
  2. What is Competency Based Education? The decoupling of seat time from academic progress Progress is evaluated on mastery of content/skills rather than seat time Student paced vs. defined semesters, quarters, etc.
  3. Why Competency Based Education? More accurately measure student learning Reduce time to graduation Reduce costs Student loan debt 2nd only to mortgage loans in total household debt Positioning for potential funding model and institutional ranking changes Enrollment considerations
  4. Why Competency Based Education? The Changing Needs of Learners Flexibility Changes in consumer behavior Changing demographics Increase in online learning
  5. What are the challenges to implementing a CBE program? Accreditation State coordinating and governing boards Accrediting agencies U.S. Department of Education Translation of competencies Faculty buy-in Resource support Title IV financial aid
  6. Why in financial aid a hindrance to these models? Decoupling of seat time from academic progress...huh? Financial Aid Management (FAM) Systems are designed around the concept of structured periods of enrollment Non-Term Enrollment models designed for self-paced learning, but FAM systems not designed to manage resulting in manual processes: Increased compliance risk Slower service Labor cost considerations l
  7. Competency-Based Education How can CBL be managed in an efficient and compliant manner? Need to carefully analyze systems limitations to determine what enrollment model will work for you Reach out to your colleagues on campus and financial aid colleagues at like institutions Ensure financial aid is a key stake holder from the beginning
  8. Western Governors University Founded in 1997 The principal mission of Western Governors University is to improve quality and expand access to post-secondary academic opportunity by providing a means for individuals to learn independent of time or place and to earn competency-based degrees and other credentials that are credible to both academic institutions and employers.
  9. Student Demographics Colleges: Information Technology, Business, Teacher Education, and Health Professions Students are full-time, degree seeking at Baccalaureate and Masters level Current enrollment > 44,000 Most successful students: start with some college experience have work experience and motivation to earn degree average age is 36 years
  10. Student Population
  11. Growing Interest in CBE Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching re-examining the ‘Carnegie Unit’ Foundations working with regional accreditors and Dept of Ed to assure financial aid for CBE Gates Foundation supported project includes WA, IN, FL & TX colleges as partners Adapting and Adopting Competency-Based IT Instruction to Accelerate Learning funded by Department of Labor’s (TAACCCT)
  12. Partner Colleges Developing CBE Programs Austin Community College, TX Broward College, FL Sinclair Community College, OH FL – Valencia College IN – Ivy Tech Community College (Ft Wayne & Lafayette) TX – Lone Star Community College WA – Bellevue College, Columbia Basin College, Edmonds Community College, Community College of Spokane
  13. Design Principles for CBE 1) Degree reflects robust and valid competencies.  2) Students are able to learn at a variable pace and are supported in their learning.  3) Effective learning resources are available to students anytime and are reusable.   4) The process for mapping competencies to courses/learning outcomes/assessments is explicit.  5) The assessments are secure and reliable.
  14. WGU Financial Aid Background HEA Reauthorization 1998 – eligible institution Distance Education Demonstration Program Competency-based Model Education Domains No Grades (Narrative Transcript) Unbundled Faculty Model (Mentoring and Assessment) Direct costs only in cost of attendance calculation Non-Term (6 month payment periods) SAP 100% successful completion every term Students start 365 days a year 100% Distance Education
  15. WGU Financial Aid Background Lessons Learned Cost of Attendance (direct and indirect) – EFC = Need Introduction of Competency Units (CUs) Non-Standard Term – borrower based academic year 6-Month Terms begin on the first of each month Grades of Pass and Not Pass (not narrative, not pass/fail) 66.67% Cumulative Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Flat term-based tuition to encourage acceleration Subscription model, fixed price per term regardless of CU’s Affordability of acceleration time to degree completion
  16. Student Fraud Considerations WGU Orientation Begins the 15th of each month Setting proper expectations – academic and financial Delay loan disbursement for allnew students 30 day delay (45+ days of academic effort before $$$ ) Duplicate address reports (US and E-mail, IP) Third party identity management/biometrics Verification of identity Notarized statement of educational purpose
  17. Challenging Policies
  18. Federal Financial Aid Delivery Academic Year (AY) – payment periods ED defines AY as minimum of 24 credits and 30 weeks Standard Term (Full-time, ¾ time, ½ time) Semester/Quarter/Trimester Fall/Spring and sometimes summer (header or trailer) Non-Standard Term (Full-time, ¾ and ½ time) Multiple entry points - Borrower Based Academic Year Non-Term and Clock Hour Full-time - successfully complete 24 credits or 900 hours
  19. Measurement of SAPCompetency Based Model Degree Plan – no electives Academic Activity Verification (AAV) Qualitative Measure (Pass = B or better) Mastery of subject matter (3.0 GPA exceeds 2.5 required) Quantitative Measure Attempted versus completed Institutional policy on treatment of transfer credits SAP appeal approval requires Academic Plan On-Time Progress (OTP) to Graduation At least 12 CUs per six month term
  20. SAP Overview Financial aid only awarded up to 150% of the program length At least 66.67% Cumulative SAP = Good Standing Less than 66.67% Term SAP =Warning New students less than 3 CUs per term = Terminated Termination and SAP Appeals Extenuating circumstances - documentation & situation improvement If approved, must complete 100% until cum SAP > 66.67% Unintended consequences Meeting OTP in a term does not necessarily mean the student is meeting cumulative SAP requirements 12/20 = 60.00% - OTP is good, SAP is bad - discouraging
  21. Other Regulatory Definition of Credit Hour 34 CFR 600.2 www.ifap.ed.govHot Topics - Program Integrity Distance Education Definition 34 CFR 600.2 …support regular and substantive interaction between students and faculty Direct Assessment 34 CFR 668.10 DCL GEN-13-10 (March 19, 2013) Return to Title IV (R2T4) 34 CFR 668.22 Withdrawal date of determination Definitions of academic attendance, academic-related activity
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