Enter the matrix of competency-based education tools
What is CBE?
Competency-based education (CBE) is a student-centered methodology of instruction that incorporates elements of constructivist philosophy, 21st Century Skills education, and flexible learning models.
It is fast becoming adopted by many learning institutions because of its focus on learning useful and applicable skills rather than broad content and an increased emphasis on student responsibility for learning.
This can mean that students feel like they have to do a lot on their own, and it’s true; in CBE the teacher goes from being the Sage on the Stage to the Guide on the Side.
Teachers act as facilitators of learning and guide the students as they struggle through learning different skills by monitoring their progress and providing feedback as they master each competency.
Because this shift in dynamic can be so different for both students and teachers, we have curated a list of tools and resources to use alongside the other blog posts in this series to help equip everyone for success.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it is a great place to look at things all in one place as you either teach or participate in a CBE course.
Resources and tools for teachers
Resource Name | Subject(s) | Resource Types | Paid or Free |
ELA | Lesson planning tools | Free | |
All | Lesson planning tools | Free | |
All | Lesson planning tools | Free | |
General CBE | Lesson planning tools | Free | |
General education tools | Links to platforms, websites, | Free | |
Math | Lesson Planning Tools | Free | |
General education Tools | Various-- teacher made and curated content | Free | |
ELA | Lesson planning tools | Free | |
General CBE | Searchable database of CBE programs | Free |
Resources and tools for students
Resource Name | Subject(s) | Resource Types | Paid or Free |
Biology | Virtual labs | Free | |
Physics | Interactive simulations | Free | |
General science | Videos | Free | |
Biology | Virtual labs | Free | |
General science | Study Tools | Free | |
Physics | Interactive simulations | Free | |
Computer science | Lessons | Free | |
All subjects | Full courses | Free | |
MathematicsGeneral science | Calculator tools | Free | |
MathematicsBasic computer science | Lessons | Free | |
Presentation software | Videos | Free | |
Presentation software | Videos | Free | |
Presentation software | Tutorials | Free | |
All subjects | Full courses | Free | |
Audio editor | Documentation | Free | |
Image editor | Documentation | Free | |
Video editor | Documentation | Free | |
All subjects | Full courses | Free | |
Foreign languages | Full courses | Free |
Final thoughts
While CBE is very much different from other types of learning, we hope that the tools listed here will be of help to learners and educators alike.
Remember that part of learning in CBE is productive struggle and persistence, both on the teacher and student sides! Keep going and achieve mastery.
For more information on CBE, check out our previous research blogs about classroom challenges and CBE and how CBE is designed for student success.
Competency-Based Education Blog Series
Thank you for being a part of our Competency-Based Education blog series! Check out additional resources regarding CBE below:
Nikolas McGehee
Senior Research & Innovation Specialist
Dr. Nikolas McGehee has a passion for improving education through research and innovation. He has expertise in advanced research methodologies and analytics as well as STEM education practices, trends, and issues. He has two children, Jace and Ellie, and dreams of making large-scale changes in education so that they can learn and excel in a world where students achieve their dreams and goals through exceptional educational opportunities.
Related Posts
What Happens to Students' Online Course Scores After the Course Ends?
The moment an online course ends, a new question begins: how will that score be recorded locally? Drawing on a 2025 brief and a small follow-up survey, this blog post outlines three common approaches districts use to interpret and record students’ online course scores and why the differences can matter for students.
Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: Variations in Pacing among World Language Students
Cuccolo & Green’s (2025) report highlighted the relationship between students’ assignment submission patterns and final course scores. Given that pacing has important implications for student performance, knowing what assignment submission patterns look like across schools with varying demographics could help prompt early identification and intervention. As such, this blog explores students’ assignment submission patterns based on school-level demographic information.
From Curiosity to Career: Exploring Possibilities with VR
Explore how immersive VR simulations helped students step into real-world roles: from EMTs to chefs, all without leaving the classroom.
Out of Order, Still Out of Reach: An Interview with a Researcher
In this blog, MVLRI researchers synthesize the key findings from two research studies about student assignment submission patterns in Michigan Virtual online courses.
Understanding Teacher-Student Communication in Online Courses: An Interview with a Researcher
In this interview, MVLRI researchers discuss key findings from a report highlighting how personalized, consistent, and timely communication in online courses can help students feel more connected to their online teachers and may also impact their success in the course. This blog also explores practical strategies for communicating effectively and building relationships with online students.
Understanding What Motivates High School Students to Pursue Computer Science
As computer science (CS) continues to grow in importance in K-12 education, understanding what motivates students to pursue this field is...