Our methods to reach all students are no longer effective for the student body before us. Many students are struggling with stress, inattention in class, and absences from school. A significant number of our students are struggling to get to and stay in school. In addition to these issues, students are struggling to find relevance in their…

The original working definition of competency-based education was developed in 2011 at the National Summit for K-12 Competency-Based Education (Sturgis, Patrick, & Pittenger, 2011). The Summit was hosted by the Aurora Institute (formerly iNACOL) and the Council of Chief State School Officers, with more than 100 education innovators and…

Competency-based education (CBE) is widely viewed as an innovative alternative to traditional higher education, yet most programs serve only a narrow slice of the postsecondary population. Few are intended for adults who need to boost basic skills in order to succeed in college coursework. However, if designed with the needs of a broader range of…

This new district partnership school, slated to open in fall 2015, will serve Columbus, OH students in grades 6-13 in a competency-based, blended learning early college high school model that is focused on both college and career success. The Metro Institute of Technology is designed to solve two problems: (1) capable students may struggle in…

The four guiding principles behind the blended, competency-based, personalized learning model of Valor Collegiate Academies, a charter organization serving grades 5-12 in Nashville, TN: (1) Reflect the diversity of both our country and local community; (2) Personalize a student's experience to meet his/her unique academic and non-academic needs;…

Personal competencies--cognitive, metacognitive, motivational, and social/emotional--are applied by students in learning (mastery of knowledge and skills). These competencies are both acquired through learning and applied in the learning process. Personalized learning--a promising approach to education made practical by advances in…

The I CAN Learn[R] Education System is an interactive, self-paced, mastery-based software system that includes the I CAN Learn[R] Fundamentals of Math (5th-6th grade math) curriculum, the I CAN Learn[R] Pre-Algebra curriculum, and the I CAN Learn[R] Algebra curriculum. College algebra credit is also available to students in participating schools…

The authors stress mastery criterion as the most important component of the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI). (DE)

The Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) was tested in an introductory nursing course with 23 students using PSI and 20 in a control group receiving traditional instruction. Students using the self-instructional method achieved significantly higher grades; student acceptance of PSI was satisfactory. (SK)

Instructional materials entitled "Reading Polish 2," second language course materials for teacher-assisted, mastery-based, self-paced instruction, are described and their uses discussed. The self-contained course is the eighth in a series of Polish individualized instruction materials, and is designed to be used by the student by working through…

The personalized system of instruction (PSI) is characterized by mastery, specified objectives, self-pacing, small-step sequenced materials, repeated testing, immediate feedback, credit for success rather than penalty for errors, proctors, and lectures for motivation. Research indicating the effectiveness of PSI is cited, and problems with…

Weekly testing coupled with a mastery performance requirement generated higher student performance in an introductory psychology class. (DE)

This paper discusses a number of contingency arrangements used in studies at the University of Kansas to enhance individualized characteristics of personalized instruction. It begins with an examination of Keller's Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) and its five defining features: (1) reliance on the written word, (2) unit mastery, (3) the…

A survey of relevant research strongly suggests that the Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) offers considerable potential for community college instruction. It has five main features: students move at their own rates of speed, utilize written study guides, demonstrate mastery of each unit before continuing, meet with proctors for periodic…

Describes a self-paced, computer-managed course on internal medicine for medical students at the University of South Dakota. The rationale for using a computer-based system is outlined, and the program is evaluated for cost-effectiveness, currency of information, curriculum goals and objectives, and student attitudes. (EAO)