It’s no secret that the world is changing. And, more and more, these changes are being reflected in K-12 education. Education institutions are prioritizing different teaching and assessment models—ones that emphasize student growth and progression based on mastery over seat time. Two of these models are competency based education (CBE) and outcomes based education (OBE). But what exactly are these, and how do they differ? Keep reading for a comparison of competency based education vs outcomes based education, including their key components, differences, and the pros and cons of each approach.
Competency Based Education vs Outcomes Based Education at a Glance
What is Competency Based Education?
Competency based education programs put your students in the driver's seat of their learning journey and lets them move forward when they’ve mastered specific skills—no waiting for the rest of their class to catch up or feeling left behind. It breaks away from traditional methods where teaching and assessment are time-bound and have students progress based on grade levels or semesters.
Key Features of CBE
- Flexible Pacing: Your students progress at their own pace, not based on seat time. When your students have mastered a concept, they're ready to move on.
- Personalized Learning Experiences: Your students are at the center of their learning and have individual learning pathways—learning and authentic assessment opportunities tailored to their specific needs. (Think voice and choice in how they learn and show what they know and can do.)
- Mastery-Based Assessment: Your teachers provide frequent feedback and formative assessments happen often to help guide your students toward mastery. Your students’ success doesn't depend on a grade achieved; instead, it's based on showing mastery of knowledge and competencies.
What is Outcome Based Education (OBE)?
Outcome based education starts with the end goal in mind: “What should my students know and be able to do by the end of their educational journey?” From there, you can choose your curricula and design your lessons and authentic assessments to align with those outcomes or goals.
Because everything points toward achieving clear outcomes and often core competencies, OBE makes tracking your students’ progress simpler. If your school district or school is looking for a more structured, goal-driven system, you might lean toward this method.
Key Features of OBE
- Outcome-Driven: Your students progress toward achieving clearly defined learning outcomes and are assessed based on these outcomes.
- Backwards Design: Your teachers plan units and lessons with the learning outcomes in mind and work backward to scaffold how their students will get there.
- Structured Assessment: Assessment is based on desired outcomes and the goal is to determine how your students are progressing toward achieving them.
Outcome Based Education vs Competency Based Education: Key Differences
Overall, competency based programs offer greater personalization and flexibility in pacing, while outcomes based education provides more structured timelines and clear benchmarks.
| Criteria | Competency Based Education | Outcome Based Education |
| Learning Focus | Mastery of skills | Achievement of outcomes |
| Assessment Style | Formative, ongoing | Summative, milestone-based |
| Pacing | Flexible | Structured |
| Personalization | High | Moderate |
| Curriculum Design | Student-centric | Outcome-centric |
Similarities Between the Two Models
There are differences between the two models but CBE and OBE do share some common ground:
- Focus on Student Success: A key goal of both methods is to prepare your students for academic and real-world challenges.
- Clear Learning Outcomes: Both methods focus on setting clear learning objectives so that your students understand what progress and success look like and how to get there.
- Evidence-Based Assessment: CBE and OBE both use data to determine how your students are progressing toward learning objectives and to identify gaps and next steps.
Pros and Cons of Competency Based Education
Pros of CBE:
- Emphasizes skill and competency development and promotes a deeper understanding of concepts.
- Encourages your students to take ownership of their learning.
- Supports personalized learning through differentiated learning pathways.
- Allows your students to progress at their own pace when they’ve demonstrated mastery.
Cons of CBE:
- Requires change management and teacher training when shifting to this model from a traditional one.
- Some of your students may initially struggle with self-directed learning (requires teaching and modeling to show students what this looks like).
- Implementation can be complex and time-consuming (but with training and the appropriate competency based learning software in place, this can be overcome).
Pros and Cons of Outcome Based Education
Pros of OBE:
- Provides clear learning targets for your students so they know what is expected and what success looks like.
- Simplifies tracking and reporting on student progress.
- Increases accountability for educators, schools, and districts.
Cons of OBE:
- Less flexibility in pacing, as your students' progress is still time-bound.
- The focus on outcomes could lead to teaching to the test rather than on mastery of concepts and skill development.
- May lead to overlooking individual student needs and creativity.
Competency Based Education vs. Outcome Based Education: Which Model is Right for Your School or District?
Choosing between CBE and OBE isn’t always straightforward. If you’re looking at shifting to one of these methods, take a look at these key considerations:
- Your students’ needs: If you think your students will benefit from personalized, competency based learning, CBE is the way to go. If you’re looking for a more structured and goal-oriented approach, OBE might be a better fit.
- Your resources and teacher readiness: Moving to competency based education will require professional development (PD) upfront. Because outcomes based education aligns more closely with traditional systems, it may be easier to implement with less PD.
- Your assessment preferences: If you’re focused on formative, ongoing assessment and feedback, you may prefer CBE. If you want to continue prioritizing standardized milestones, OBE might be a better fit.
Ultimately, the choice depends on your school or district’s specific context. Consider your goals, resources, and student needs.
Want to see where you’re at when it comes to CBE? Take our quiz.
