Competency-Based Education (CBE): Leveraging Equity in Higher Education

Saturday, 27 July 2019

Lydia L. Forsythe, PhD, MSN, MA
Consulting Group; School of Nursing, Londes Strategic Healthcare Consulting; Capella University, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
Constance Hall, EdD, MSN, BA, RN
Department of Nursing, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, USA
Kristy Lowry, DNP
School of Nursing and Health Sciences, Capella University, Minneapolis,, MN, USA

Competency-based education (CBE) has the potential to be a powerful lever for access and equity in higher education. Integrating multiculturalism into CBE programs can further promote equitable outcomes. Students need to have the support for their unique perspective and respect for what they understand within the context of culture. To affect this type of inclusion a model needs to be established that can be utilized for all courses and programs.

In an effort to develop a University wide scalable model to identify and revise courses with achievement gaps, several steps were developed. The steps included frameworks for identifying root causes of inequitable outcomes, and proposed solutions to address these challenges. To take this to the next step a standardized analysis was developed. The project combined elements from the proof of concept gateway course analysis and the Pyramid of Inclusion model. By applying specific strategies, we were able to provide replicability and scalability to curriculum change processes along with the application of the framework and strategies across courses and programs.

The Pyramid of Inclusion model for multicultural competency-based education provided actionable strategies through the design of environments of inclusion and integrated multicultural concepts for CBE. The pyramid of inclusion model emphasizes the importance of what we teach, how we teach, how we assess and support learning from a multicultural standpoint illustrating a full range of multicultural strategies.

An actionable approach in the integration of multicultural concepts into competency-based education is offered by examining gaps that exist in the performance of non-Caucasian learners in academic settings. The strategy presents a model to support the design of environments of inclusion and integrates multicultural concepts into CBE programming. This project is key to a University’s mission in addressing critical and relevant issues related to a diverse learner population and gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion within the curriculum.