Tag: Policy

The State of Competency-Based Education Policy Map

The State of Competency-Based Education Policy Map is an interactive tool developed in partnership with KnowledgeWorks. Designed to highlight state-level innovation, this map provides a comprehensive overview of how K-12 education policies nationwide are supporting the shift toward competency-based education (CBE). Whether you’re a policymaker, educator or advocate, this tool helps you explore how states are enabling personalized, student-centered learning through key policy levers.

Click on a state to view detailed information about:

State vision and learning frameworks
Graduation requirements
Seat time flexibility
Waivers and innovation pilots
Funding strategies
Statewide networks and partnerships

You can also browse related stories and sort by topic or state to see where opportunities for policy growth exist. This map will be updated regularly as new policies emerge and systems evolve. Join us in tracking the transformation of education, one state at a time.

July 11, 2025

Aurora Institute’s 2024 Federal Policy Priorities

The Aurora Institute has released federal policy recommendations aimed at reshaping our public education system to be more personalized, competency-based, and equitable. The report highlights strategic guidance and recommendations for federal policymakers looking to advance learner-centered education.

This document outlines four core policy areas to advance learner-centered education and transform public education systems:

Transforming systems of assessments
Aligning accountability and data systems
Supporting out-of-school learning opportunities
Supporting innovation and continuous improvement through research and development

Download PDF

September 5, 2024

Aurora Institute’s 2024 State Policy Priorities

The Aurora Institute has released state policy recommendations to enable our education system to transition from an industrial age “one-size-fits-all” model, to a future-focused model that supports education innovation, student agency, builds knowledge, and prioritizes mastery of skills and knowledge over seat time.

The six identified policy shifts must occur to transform education for all learners–especially those who have been underserved by the current system. The priorities include:

Establish a vision by developing a Profile of a Graduate
Create the conditions for equitable learner-centered, competency-based education systems
Transform systems of assessments
Align accountability and data systems
Support educators to thrive in a competency-based system
Redesign learning experiences

Download PDF

April 25, 2024

Clearing the Path for Assessment Innovation: The Role of Federal Policy

Realizing the full potential of student-centered learning requires transformation of traditional approaches to assessment and accountability.

It is time for policymakers to take a fresh look at these initiatives and take steps – both near- and longer-term – to better leverage federal support for states’ design and use of innovative, student-centered assessments.

To create more equitable assessment and accountability systems that empower and encourage the adoption of new teaching and learning models aligned to student-centered learning, we must shift course and provide a realistic pathway for state and local innovation. Without a clear pathway, educators and communities will lose faith in our systems and millions of federal dollars intended to support assessment innovation will not bear fruit. Now is the time to create the running room states and districts need to try new approaches and demonstrate impact.

In Clearing the Path for Assessment Innovation: The Role of Federal Policy, you will read about:

-Current federal assessment opportunities such as the Competitive Grants for State Assessments (CGSA) program, the Innovative Assessment Demonstration Authority (IADA) and flexibility within the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESSA)

-Innovation themes from states, including the critical importance of CGSA funding, efforts to leverage assessments to improve instruction and addressing assessment with related professional development

-Examples of assessment innovation from three states

-Recommendations for a path forward to build on the groundwork states are laying to foster innovation and opportunity in assessment across the nation

December 15, 2023

Expanding Student Access to Work-Based Learning: Federal Policy Recommendations

We know the importance of learning experiences that happen beyond the confines of a traditional classroom. But how might federal policy support such experiences to prepare young people for life after high school? That’s where work-based learning comes in – a strategy designed to help students connect what they learn in the classroom with what is expected in the workplace by integrating learning with real-world applications in partnership with industry professionals.

While momentum is growing at the local and state levels to design and implement PK-12 through workforce pathways to support work-based learning, there is still much work to be done in creating truly supportive policy environments. This set of federal policy recommendations outlines how enabling policies could further incentivize and focus increased resources on pathways and work-based learning.

July 26, 2023

Going Beyond the Traditional: Next Gen Credentials and Flexible Learning Pathways

The new world of work demands not only academic knowledge and skills but also transferable skills such as communications, creativity, and collaboration—skills that are rarely captured formally. Meeting that demand will require a new approach to the high school diploma. The opportunity is ripe to redesign credentials to enable competency-based pathways and learning. The transcript for the next generation (“next gen”) of learning and work will better represent what individuals have actually learned, what they know, and what they can do. According to UNESCO (2023), next gen credentials will “record focused learning achievements. They will verify what learners know, understand, and can do. Learners will be assessed based on clearly defined standards and credits, badges or certificates awarded by a trusted provider. They have value and can also contribute to or complement other credentials, including through recognition of prior learning. They meet the standards required by relevant quality assurance.”

The goal of this report is to deepen state policy makers’ understanding of the changes needed to facilitate meaningful next gen credentials and advance state policy to support those changes. This includes building support to modernize education, opening pathways for learning and reskilling, and providing value for lifelong learning to both individuals and employers. Students, families, employers, and organizations focused on education and employment, as well as nations around the globe, are exploring how to ensure students receive a world-class education that builds knowledge and skills needed for the future. New models of credentialing knowledge, skills, and qualifications are emerging to help achieve this goal.

June 26, 2023

Next Generation Accountability: Creating Performance Frameworks for Student Success

This issue brief explores how policymakers can approach rethinking, redesigning, and rearchitecting next generation accountability systems.

Next generation accountability systems can empower states, districts, communities, and schools with timely, relevant information and provide the capacity to analyze and continuously improve instruction and learning.

After 21 years of the current accountability framework in federal and state policy in the United States, there is growing recognition that it isn’t working for our students, families, and communities to improve teaching and learning, nor preparing them for the future.

Continuously improving education systems use evidence-based practices and performance frameworks to improve learning and monitor progress in real time. In response to ongoing feedback and data, they drive change to improve and evolve practice. Continuously improving systems evolve culture and structures to ensure that students get the supports they need in real time to support growth and success.

January 20, 2023

Aurora Institute’s 2022 Federal Policy Priorities

Informed by the expertise and wisdom of thousands in its community, the Aurora Institute’s 2022 federal policy priorities are a set of nine recommendations designed to ensure education systems move from the current state to future-focused systems capable of preparing all learners with building the knowledge and skills necessary to achieve lifelong success. The priorities include:

Advance education innovations
Transform systems of assessments
Rethink next generation accountability
Create learning ecosystems and competency-based pathways aligned across K-12, higher education, career and technical education, and the workforce
Modernize the educator workforce
Diversify the educator workforce
Advance educational equity
Bridge the digital divide
Support COVID-19 learning recovery

Download our 2022 federal policy recommendations for a full analysis of these issues. Policymakers at all levels are encouraged to contact the Aurora Institute Center for Policy for more information or assistance.

July 21, 2022

Aurora Institute’s 2022 State Policy Priorities

The Aurora Institute’s new broad-based policy agenda issues a call-to-action for state education policymakers and provides twelve recommendations informed by the wisdom and expertise of more than 8,500 members in its community. Taken together, the policy priorities challenge lawmakers and education decision-makers to wield their influence and take advantage of existing opportunities to disrupt the traditional one-size-fits-all model of K-12 teaching and learning and unleash learning from the confines of place and time. The priorities include:

Establishing a statewide profile of a graduate
Modernizing state education funding
Advancing racial equity in education
Increasing educator workforce diversity
Modernizing the educator workforce
Advancing competency-based education policies
Establishing innovation zones
Investing in COVID-19 learning recovery
Transforming systems of assessments
Rethinking next generation accountability
Expanding access to broadband
Creating competency-based pathways across K-12, higher education, career and technical education and the workforce

Download our 2022 state policy recommendations for a full analysis of these issues. Policymakers at all levels are encouraged to contact the Aurora Institute Center for Policy for more information or assistance.

March 21, 2022

Aurora Institute’s Federal Policy Priorities: Charting a New Path for America’s Learners

The Aurora Institute’s Federal Policy Priorities: Charting a New Path for America’s Learners new report issues a call-to-action for federal education policy makers and provides eight recommendations. These future-focused, student-centered learning policy recommendations are informed by the input of hundreds of nationally recognized educators, leading personalized learning and competency-based education scholars, community advocates, and a diverse set of students who support uplifting education innovations while also prioritizing educational equity.

Federal policymakers who want to drive transformation to support the future learner can use these recommendations to learn about key issues to address, entry points, policy levers, and a vetted path forward to revolutionize student-centered learning. This document provides deep contextual knowledge and actionable recommendations to advance future-focused, student-centered learning policies and transform education, including:

Create Learning Ecosystems Across K-12, Higher Education, CTE, and the Workforce
Modernize the Educator Workforce
Diversify the Educator Workforce
Bridge the Digital Divide
Support COVID-19 Learning Recovery
Advance Educational Equity
Redesign Assessments
Rethink Accountability

Calls for a redesigned education system are growing in number and volume, in part due to the impact of COVID-19, but also because our current antiquated education system has not shifted to appropriately serve each learner. Now, more than ever, is the time to rethink the purpose of education and redesign learning ecosystems so that each child has robust opportunities and pathways for a thriving future.

To view the report, please click here.

October 18, 2021