Competency-Based Education

"Competency-based pathways are a re-engineering of our education system around learning. It is a re-engineering designed for success where failure is no longer an option."

—

Barbara A. Bray

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What is Competency-Based Education?

At Sledge Institute, Competency-Based Education puts students in charge of their learning and helps them reach their full potential. Here’s how it works:

Students make choices: Every day, students get to make important decisions about how they learn, how they create and use new knowledge, and how they show what they’ve learned.
Assessments are helpful: Tests and projects are meaningful and positive experiences. They give students useful feedback that helps them understand what they know and what they need to work on.
Support is personalized: Students get the help they need, when they need it, based on their unique learning needs.
Progress is based on readiness: Students move forward when they’ve shown they understand a concept—not just because they’ve spent a certain amount of time in class.
Learning is flexible: Students learn in different ways and at their own pace, so everyone has a chance to succeed.
Equity is a priority: Our strategies to support all students are built into everything we do, making sure that everyone has an equal chance to learn and grow.
Clear expectations: What students are expected to learn is rigorous, clear, and measurable, and these skills can be used in the real world.

Competency-Based Education makes sure every student has the tools and opportunities to learn in a way that works best for them, setting them up for success now and in the future!

Why Competency-Based Education?

We believe that Competency-Based Education creates an engaging and flexible way for students to learn. It’s all about making sure students are really understanding and mastering important skills and concepts—not just moving forward because they’ve spent a certain amount of time on a subject.

Students show what they know through projects, tests, portfolios, or other evidence that proves they’ve reached their learning goals. This personalized approach gives every student the chance to learn at their own pace, dive deep into topics they’re passionate about, and stay excited about their education.

We’re here to make learning meaningful and help every student build the skills they need for life!

What are Competencies?

Competencies represent the most important skills and knowledge our students need to succeed in a world that’s always changing. Competencies include the knowledge, skills, and mindsets that are all connected, measurable, and useful in real life.

These are things students can apply not just in school but throughout their whole lives. We focus on helping students learn and develop in ways that prepare them to handle new challenges, solve problems, and make an impact—no matter where the future takes them!