The U.S. Department of Education and regional accreditors are closer to being on the same page about competency-based education.
Earlier this month the Council of Regional Accrediting Commissions, which represents the seven regional accreditors, issued a common framework for how to assess and approve competency-based programs. The Education Department followed last week, with a letter to accreditors that echoes many of the same points. The department's letter also described requirements for a meaningful faculty role in competency-based education, including students' ability to interact directly with instructors.
With two sides of the regulatory triad that oversees higher education having weighed in (states are the third), experts said colleges have clearer guidance as they seek to create competency-based programs.
Read more at Inside Higher Ed: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/06/17/new-letters-us-and-accreditors-provide-framework-approval-competency-based-degrees