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The Next Big Thing, Almost
Competency-based education is all the rage, except that no college has yet to go all-in. Panel discusses why, with Education Department official promising that feds won't stand in the way.
Paying for Performance
Western Governors U. says it will pay McGraw-Hill for course content based on how well students do with it. Pearson is also using the model.
Test for Future Financiers
Leading banks and finance companies are screening candidates with a standardized test, which supporters say allows for a deeper hiring pool and the evaluation of practical skills.
Test File for Everyone
An online collection of old tests walks a blurry line on copyright law and academic integrity. Some faculty members are concerned, while others say it can help students learn.
Credit Hour (Still) Rules
Despite conventional wisdom, Western Governors U. did not earn approval to award federal aid by directly assessing how much students learned. It ties student outcomes to the credit hour (though not to seat time).
Banking on Success
Texas technical colleges want to link 45 percent of their operating budget to the employment success of graduates.
Testing for Better Writers
Decades ago, two colleges in Virginia decided all students would need to pass essay exam to graduate. Old Dominion just dropped the unusual requirement, while Hampden-Sydney has no intention of doing so.
Foundations' Newfound Advocacy
Study documents how Gates and Lumina -- by collaborating with government, funding intermediaries, and investing heavily in messaging -- have reshaped the philanthropic role in higher education, for better and worse.