Voices and Viewpoints

In 2012, a consortium led by Sinclair Community College received a $12-million Round Two TAAACCCT grant to adopt and adapt the Western Governors University competency-based education (CBE) model to accelerate information technology instruction at Sinclair (Ohio), Austin Community College (Texas), and Broward College (Florida). The consortium undertook this initiative recognizing that implementation would require institution-wide change at each of the colleges.

Leadership across the consortium worked in teams to develop a plan for adapting the model to fit the local context of the three colleges, while retaining the four core components: workforce relationships, curriculum design; program delivery; and student support. Within the unique implementation of the CBE model at Sinclair, Austin and Broward, all have retained the core components. All threecolleges have developed formal relationships with industry, all have worked to provide flexible entry and completion of courses, all converted AAS degree programs for CBE delivery, and all use Academic Coaches.

To learn more about the consortium’s adoption and adaptation of the CBE model at three unique colleges, read Adopting and Adapting Competency-Based Education.

Deborah Richie serves as a member of the Transformative Change Initiative team at OCCRL. She has 25 years of experience as an administrator at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, including 10+ years as a dean at the Graduate College, directing graduate fellowship grants and programs. She is an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership