History of CBE in Iowa

2016


The learner-centered paradigm is shifting rapidly across the US. We are proud to be at the heart of that movement.

Strategic-Reflection-Webinar-2019-pdf.pdf

History of the Iowa CBE Collaborative

Iowa Senate File 2284 provides for competency-based pathways for Iowa students at all levels of education without the need for a waiver. A statewide Task Force on Competency-based Education, as outlined in SF 2284, developed a plan for establishing a CBE Collaborative for up to 10 Iowa districts to explore the following:

    • redefining credit as competency rather than Carnegie unit,

    • professional development for educators,

    • learning plans and templates,

    • accountability and assessment, and

    • the use of technology to enhance this work.


Competency-based Education Task Force Final Report (Senate File 2284)

Competency-based Education Task Force Preliminary Report (Senate FIle 2284)


Iowa Department of Education Guidelines for PK-12 Competency-Based Education

CBE Characteristics and Continual Improvement


The Iowa CBE Collaborative Statement of the Problem and Rationale for Competency-based Education (CBE): Pathways to College-, Career-, and Life-Ready Graduates

CBE Connection to Iowa's Definition of College- and Career-Ready (CCR)

One of the accomplishments of the Iowa CBE Collaborative was to jump start Iowa's definition for college- and career-ready. The Iowa AEA Compact outlines a partnership with LEAs and the Department of Education in which we pledge “every child who graduates from an Iowa pre-K-12 public or non-public accredited school will be prepared for success in postsecondary studies, a career, and citizenship.” Iowa’s definition of college- and career-ready describes what this preparedness looks like for students.

Iowa CBE Collaborative District Summaries


Iowa CBE Collaborative Community School Districts (CSD):

Cedar Rapids CSD

Marshalltown CSD

Nevada CSD

Collins-Maxwell CSD

Mason City CSD

Spirit Lake CSD

East Union CSD

Muscatine CSD

Van Meter CSD

Howard-Winneshiek CSD

CBE Collaborative Partners


Institutions of Higher Education Participating with the Collaborative:

Dordt College

Kirkwood Community College

University of Iowa

Drake University

Iowa State University

University of Northern Iowa

Hawkeye Community College

Simpson College


Collaborative AEA Partners:

Central Rivers AEA

Heartland AEA

Northwest AEA

Grant Wood AEA

Keystone AEA

Prairie Lakes AEA

Great Prairie AEA

Mississippi Bend AEA


Department of Education and Board of Education Examiners Staff


External Partners (Planning and Facilitation Support):

Midwest Comprehensive Center at American Institutes for Research, Chicago, Illinois

West Wind Education Policy Inc., Iowa City, Iowa

Defining CBE

The Aurora Institute Redefines Competency-based Education in 2019

In November of 2019 The Aurora Institute (formerly iNACOL) released an updated definition of competency-based education. The purpose of the new definition was to highlight both learner agency and equity, two factors that are at the heart of how we define CBE here in Iowa. Click here or on the image to learn more.