Feds Weigh College Financial Aid for Competency Based Learning
An interesting letter went out Tuesday from the U.S. Department of Education, asking interested colleges to submit applications for approval for federal financial aid for students in programs that take into account alternative measures -- and not just credit hours -- in awarding degrees.
"This is a key step forward in expanding access to affordable higher education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in announcing the plan. "We know many students and adult learners across the country need the flexibility to fit their education into their lives or work through a class on their own pace, and these competency-based programs offer those features – and they are often accessible to students anytime, anywhere. By being able to access title IV aid for these programs, many students may now be able to afford higher education."
The "Dear Colleague" letter to colleges and universities is arguably a tacit endorsement of competency-based
"This is a key step forward in expanding access to affordable higher education," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in announcing the plan. "We know many students and adult learners across the country need the flexibility to fit their education into their lives or work through a class on their own pace, and these competency-based programs offer those features – and they are often accessible to students anytime, anywhere. By being able to access title IV aid for these programs, many students may now be able to afford higher education."
The "Dear Colleague" letter to colleges and universities is arguably a tacit endorsement of competency-based