PBE Living Playbook

Here, you will find information and resources for programs, faculty, and staff across TSTC, including definitions, process overviews, tier rollout information, and FAQs. 

As we continue to develop and transition more programs to PBE, 

this site will continue to grow and provide more information.

"Institutions must move from a model of 'time served' to a model of 'stuff learned.' Because increasingly the world does not care what you know. Everything is on Google. The world only cares, and will only pay for, what you can do with what you know... We're moving to a more competency-based world where there will be less interest in how you acquired the competency -- in an online course, at a four-year college or in a company-administered class -- and more demand to prove that you mastered the competency. We have to get beyond the current system of information and delivery..."  --Thomas Friedman

Performance-based education (PBE) is TSTC’s competency based education framework. 

• In PBE, competency mastery is the focus, and more flexible timelines allow the student to progress based on their mastery rather than on specific due dates. 

  • Students must successfully complete each competency in the course in order to earn credit.  

  • A PBE student can guide their learning to spend more time to master skills they excel at or slow down their pacing to focus on areas that require additional practice. 

  • Multiple attempts on mastery assessments allow students to reassess their knowledge of the competency until they achieve mastery.

  • If the student is not able to successfully master all competencies in the course, they may begin the next semester by focusing on the competency they did not master in accordance with the Mastery Assessment Carryover policy for their program. 

  • PBE Mastery Assessments are designed to replicate skills and tasks that will be required in future careers.

  • PBE courses feature clear learning outcomes, flexible pacing, personalized learning, authentic mastery assessments, and provide continuous feedback and support.