COMPETENCY BASED BACHELOR’S DEGREE:
INNOVATING FOR THE 21ST CENTURY
Dr. Ali Esmaeili
Dean, Bachelor Programs
South Texas College
Rosemond Moore
Program Coordinator – BAS-OL
South Texas College
League for Innovation Conference – March 12, 2013
Presentation Overview
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Path to a Competency Based Degree
Institutional Overview
Innovations of the Texas Affordable
Baccalaureate (TAB) Program
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
In the Beginning……
Rick Perry $10,000 degree
and competency based
degree challenges
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Economic Need


Only one in four employers thinks that two and four year
colleges are doing a good job of preparing students for the
21st century’s global, knowledge-based economy.
If Texas is to achieve the vision of a globally competitive
workforce, it must make dramatic gains in the education
attainment of its population... Texas must more than double
annual degree production to reach the level of the best
performing country of 55% of the population ages 24-64 with
an associate degree or higher by 2025. Even with the significant
progress in increasing degree production toward the Closing the
Gaps targets, degree production in Texas is not increasing at
a rate necessary to keep pace with global competition.
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Next Generation Learning Challenges


A multi-year initiative by Educause, in collaboration with
League for Innovation, Council of Chief State School Officers,
and the International Association for K-12 Online Learning and
funded by the Gates Foundation and the Hewlett Foundation,
focused on identifying and scaling technology-enabled
approaches to dramatically improve college readiness and
completion.
NGLC re-imagines the future of student success with IT as an
essential enabler, making customized, interactive learning
possible. IT also makes it possible to extend the reach and
multiply the benefits of such innovations for the thousands of
students who need them the most.
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Location
To develop a competency-based, low-cost Bachelor of Applied
Sciences in Organizational Leadership degree that will give Texas
students that opportunity to acquire a high-quality education
designed to provide the skills employers have identified as
necessary for the 21st century. Our new vision for the next
generation of learners involves a disruptive innovation in how
students experience higher education - a change from measuring
seat time spent sitting in the classroom to a competency-based
model focused on content mastery. The TAB Program will award
credits and degrees based on measurable competencies and
improve college access and completion by reducing educational
costs and time-to-degree.
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
STC Enrollment History: 1993 to 2012 (Fall)
Fall 2012 – 30,824 Students
32,000
28,000
24,000
20,000
16,000
12,000
8,000
4,000
1993
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
-
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
STC Bachelor Program Enrollment
300
250
72
200
80
150
53
100
50
50
0
MHSM
CITP
TMGT
25
21
70
92
53
41
37
'06-'07
'07-'08
'08-'09
'09-'10
'10-'11
53
25
41
25
37
50
70
53
92
21
'05-'06
25
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
120
'11-'12
72
80
120
STC Bachelor Program Graduates
140
Fall 2013 – 496 Graduates
120
100
80
23
49
36
69
75
31
60
40
63
20
0
MHSM
CITP
TMGT
64
39
14
'07-'08
14
2
17
14
'08-'09
'09-'10
'10-'11
'11-'12
12-'13
39
23
63
31
64
49
69
36
75
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Spr '13
2
17
14
Bachelor Programs
Bachelor of Applied
Technology
In
Computer Information
Technology
(Fall 2007)
Bachelor of Applied
Technology
In
Technology Management
(Fall 2005)
Bachelor of Applied
Technology
In
Medical & Health Services
Management
(2011)
Coming Soon !!
Bachelor of
Applied Science in
Organizational
Leadership
(Fall 2013)
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Educational Paradigm Change
Educational Paradigm Change
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Texas Affordable Baccalaureate (TAB)
Innovative Bachelor of Applied Science in Organizational Leadership
Low Cost, Flexible, Competency-based
Focused on 21st Century Skills
• Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Natural World
• Intellectual and Practical Skills
• Personal and Social Responsibility
• Integrative and Applied Learning

League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
TAB Program Benefits

Disruptive
Delivery

Competency based student
progress
Flat rate tuition (complete
degree at accelerated pace)
Disruptive
Resource
Utilization

Reduced Overhead and
Facilities Cost (90 of 120 hrs.
of coursework delivered
online)


Disruptive
Learner
Engagement


Personalized Learning
Environment
Flexible Curriculum (take
coursework in any order /
quantity of courses)
Variety in Course Delivery
(online, traditional, hybrid)
Credit given for Work and/or
Military Experience
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive innovations are those innovations that are
simpler, more convenient, and more affordable for a new
group of non-traditional users. These innovations run
parallel to sustaining innovations but shift the paradigm
to broaden availability to non-traditional users. These
innovations improve over time and eventually overtake
the traditional paradigm.
References:
Christensen, C. (2011) The Innovator’s Dilemma
Christensen, C. & Raynor, M. (2003) The Innovator’s Solution
Christensen, C., Horn, M., Johnson, C. (2008) Disrupting Class: How Disruptive Innovation Will Change the Way the World Learns
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Competency Based Education
Competency - the skills, knowledge, and abilities (SKAs)
of an individual necessary to accomplish a particular
objective, position responsibility, and/or task.
Instructional emphasis on what the student “should know”
and “can do”
Adaptation of the “Texas Tuning” process and utilization
of the Lumina Foundation Degree Qualification Profile
to develop curriculum
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Example Competencies – Operations Manager
Skills
Knowledge
Abilities
Active Listening
Administration and Management
Oral Comprehension
Reading Comprehension
Customer and Personal Service
Oral Expression
Speaking
Personnel and Human Resources
Problem Sensitivity
Critical Thinking
Economics / Finance / Accounting
Written Comprehension
Monitoring
Mathematics
Written Expression
Coordination
Computers and Electronics
Speech Clarity
Social Perceptiveness
English Language
Deductive Reasoning
Active Learning
Clerical
Speech Recognition
Complex Problem Solving
Sales and Marketing
Information Ordering
Judgment and Decision Making
Production and Processing
Inductive Reasoning
Source: www.onetonline.org
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Disruptive Innovation
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
Competency
Based
Content
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Texas Affordable Baccalaureate (TAB)
Program Committees
BAS-OL
Degree
Advisory
Committee
Core & Lower Division
Committee
Upper Division Committee
monitor program measures and ensure program quality;
recommend necessary program changes (2 meetings: 1
face-to-face and 1 virtual)
recommend and develop lower division
competencies for the program (6 face-to-face
meetings)
recommend and develop upper level
division courses for the program (6 faceto-face meetings)
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Collaborative Faculty Involvement
Core Curriculum
Government / Political Science
History
Mathematics
Natural Sciences
Upper Division Curriculum
Bachelor / Management Faculty
Visual & Fine Arts
Industry
Philosophy, Culture, &
Language
Social & Behavioral
Sciences
English / Communication
Secondary
Education
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based
Content
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Faculty
Curriculum
Development
BAS-OL Degree: 120 SCH
Proposed Curriculum Structure
Core Curriculum:
42 SCH (online)
Lower Division Electives:
48 SCH (online)
Upper Division Curriculum:
30 SCH (traditional, hybrid,
etc.)
-
Global Understanding
Problem Solving
Effective Communication
Analysis
Ethics
Literacy
- Spanish: 6 SCH
- Other Electives: 42 SCH
-
Issues in Organizational Leadership: 3 SCH
Quantitative / Analytical: 3 SCH
Behavior / Ethics / Leadership: 6 SCH
Management Theory: 6 SCH
Organizational Change: 6 SCH
Capstone: 6 SCH
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Competency Module – Tuning Process
BAS-OL
The BAS-OL prepares leaders for employment in an increasingly diverse technological and global society. The degree develops practical
workplace competencies that meet current and future challenges through real world coursework utilizing personalized academic mentoring
and tutoring. The coursework focuses on team building, ethical decision making, enhanced communication skills, critical thinking, and people
skills. Graduates of this program pursue careers in education, government, non-profit, and business organizations.
Issues in Organizational Leadership
Recognize and describe the roles and functions of an
effective leader
Conduct
research online
and identify 10
characteristics
of an effective
leader
Write research
paper about a
selected business
leader (identify
aspects of effective
leadership
behaviors)
Explain and
demonstrate
behaviors /
characteristics
to establish
credibility and
legitimacy as a
leader
Recognize the
current dynamic
social, political, and
cultural environment
for leaders and its
potential impact on
contemporary
organizations
Quantitative /
Analytical Skills
Explain the
role of conflict
and how to
guide conflict
to serve the
interests of the
organization
Demonstrate
effective
leadership skills
by leading your
peers through an
assigned project
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Behavior / Ethics
/ Leadership
Management
Theory
Organizational
Change
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based
Content
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum –
75% of content
offered online
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Faculty
Curriculum
Development
Targeted Students



Students with Little or No College
Credit and/or Work Experience
Students with Some College Credit
and/or Work or Military
Experience
Students with an Earned Associates
Degree
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Unique
element
Important Student Characteristics
Self
Motivated
Training through
military, work
experience, or other
training
Access to
Social Media
Workplace or life
experiences
Access to the
Internet
Group
Oriented
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based
Content
New Users –
Mature with Work /
Military
Experience,
Seeking nontraditional delivery
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
Faculty
Curriculum
Development
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Program Admission / Assessments

College Readiness Assessment


CAAP Exam


Pre & Post Student Outcomes and Growth
Coursework Assessments



State Assessment (Fall 2013)
Embedded Course Assessments
End-of-Module Analytics
Capstone Portfolio
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Degreee Mastery Areas
90 SCH
42 Core & 48
Lower Division
Electives
High School Student / Some
Education
(100% Online)
AA
42 SCH – Core
18 SCH – Lower Division
Electives
AAS
15 SCH – Core
45 SCH – Lower Division
Electives
+30 SCH
Lower Division
Electives
+27 SCH Core
+3 SCH Lower
Division
Electives
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
30 SCH
Upper Division
(Traditional, Hybrid,
Online)
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based Content
Frequent
Assessments of
Competency –
Development of
e-Portfolio
Faculty Curriculum
Development
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
New Consumers –
Mature with
Work / Military
Experience,
Seeking nontraditional
delivery
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum
Proposed Mini-mester Structure
Week 1
Week 2 - 6
Week 7
Week 8
• Orientation
• Pre-Work
• Course Work
• Integration
• Post-Work
• Free Week
Six 7 week terms per calendar year; all courses are offered every 8 weeks
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based Content
Shorter semester
with flat rate
tuition per,
courses offered
year around
Frequent
Assessments of
Competency –
Development of
e-Portfolio
Faculty Curriculum
Development
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
New Consumers –
Mature with Work
/ Military
Experience,
Seeking nontraditional
delivery
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum
Planned Enrollment (TAMUC & STC)
6000
5504
5000
4000
1024
3000
2000
1000
0
TAMUC
STC
512
250
2013-2014
170
80
602
2014-2015
378
224
2015-2016
864
512
2016-2017
1728
1024
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
2017-2018
3456
2048
TAB Instructional Support
BAS-OL
Student
Academic Tutors
- Assist with competency
mastery
- Content assistance for
competency modules
- Content assistance for Upper
Division modules
- Facilitate peer support and
interaction
- Master’s degree required
Instructional
Staff
(Upper Division
Instruction)
Academic Coaches
- Mentor, advise, and monitor
progress
- Program Assistance
- Student Support Services
- Program Progress
Monitoring
- Content Assistance (where
qualified)
- Master’s degree required
League for Innovation Conference l March 12, 2013 l Dallas, TX
Disruptive Innovation
Competency
Based Content
Student-centric
support and
advising
Shorter semester
with flat rate
tuition per,
courses offered
year around
Frequent
Assessments of
Competency –
Development of
e-Portfolio
Faculty Curriculum
Development
Disruptive
Innovation
BAS-OL
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum
New Consumers –
Mature with
Work / Military
Experience,
Seeking nontraditional
delivery
Disruptive??
Competency
Based Content
Simpler
More
Affordable
Student-centric
support and
advising
Shorter semester
with flat rate
tuition per,
courses offered
year around
Frequent
Assessments of
Competency –
Development of
e-Portfolio
Convenient
Faculty Curriculum
Development
Disruptive
Innovation
Disruptive
BAS-OL
Collaborative
University /
Community
College Effort
NonTraditional
Users
Improves
over Time
Competency
Based Core
Curriculum
New Consumers –
Mature with
Work / Military
Experience,
Seeking nontraditional
delivery
Changing
Paradigms
Timeline of Implementation
Program
Tuning
Summer
2012
Lower Division
Learning
Outcomes
Fall
2012
Lower Division
Assessment
Tools
Development
Winter
2013
Lower Division
Learning
Materials
Identification and
Development
Spring
2013
Summer
2013
Program
Launch
Fall
2013
Upper Division
Learning
Outcomes
Upper Division
Upper Division
Learning
Assessment Tools
Materials
Development Identification and
Development
Placement of
Materials
Online
TAB Program Outcomes
Reduce Costs (Flat Rate
Tuition - eliminates limit on
number of modules taken)
Reduce Time-to-Degree (7
week semester, no limitation
on number of modules)
80% Graduation Rate
THANK YOU
Dr. Ali Esmaeili
esmaeili@southtexascollege.edu
956.872.7270
Rosemond Moore
ramoore@southtexascollege.edu
956.872.6132
League for Innovation Conference – March 12, 2013