Competency-based education (CBE) is, as its name suggests, learning based on developing and demonstrating competence, so prioritizing what a student can do over how much time they put in. Southern New Hampshire University’s College for America (CfA) competency-based curriculum is made up of real-world projects which count toward skills-based “goals.” CfA blends academic content with the soft skills and core competencies that employers are looking for.
One of the major things that has become evident for me is Sarah’s ability to ask for help when she needs it. Instead of thinking she has to manage everything on her own or move forward with things she didn’t know the answers to, Sarah will now stop and ask for help. This has made the overall quality of her work stronger, as well as given me a bit more confidence in her abilities to handle projects on her own.
Sherley has developed a greater sense of self-confidence in her assessment of her own abilities and that she is true “college material.” She has taken the certificate program to heart, she’s done stellar work and has only two projects left to complete. I think most importantly she is now enrolling at SNHU in an associate’s degree program.
I have known this person for eight years here at SSTAR- she has NEVER felt confident in her abilities, never felt that she was “smart enough” or good enough to move forward academically. This certificate program is life-changing for her- and honestly, I see her continuing on in her education as well as advancing in her career. She has always had the ability, I am just grateful that now she believes it too.
Mark appears to be more confident as going back to school has always been something he has wanted to accomplish. He has expressed how proud of himself he is for not giving up and his ability to manage his schoolwork with his work responsibilities.