State Policy & K-12 Competency-Based Education

This iNACOL Issue Brief provides an overview of competency-based education, and provides state policy recommendations and resources for policymakers who are ready to enable and support competency education.

Competency-based education is a next generation learning model that focuses on all students achieving mastery, preparing them for success in college, careers and civic life. State leaders can support policy for K-12 competency-based education to help all students succeed.

Fully-developed, student-centered systems require significant shifts in policy and practice. What can policymakers do to encourage a shift to K-12 competency education? No matter where a state is starting from, there are different entry points policymakers can take to enable and support competency-based systems. The graphic below summarizes the different entry points where policymakers can catalyze transformation of K-12 education in their state, with varying levels of state leadership: