In alignment with Illinois’ Career and Technical Education Plan (e.g., Perkins V) and the Higher Education Strategic Plan, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is supporting the development of competency-based education (CBE) by community colleges. CBE focuses on determining a student’s achievement by evaluating proficiency within a set of learning outcomes and objectives, moving away from traditional time-based constraints. This initiative is designed to support the development of competency-based education programs in the community college system for high-demand sectors. Using an equity-guided community of practice approach, this initiative aims to:
- Build capacity in planning and program development.
- Build institutional support, engagement, and knowledge.
- Guide and support institutions in transitioning to the implementation of a competency-based education program.
Our Role
Together with ICCB, we are supporting community colleges in developing CBE programs. This includes:
- Regularly convening community colleges pursuing CBE programs in welding and industrial maintenance to discuss implementation successes and challenges and share resources.
- Supporting a team of community colleges in building CBE programs for healthcare, focused on providing structured time for reflection and collaboration across colleges, helping to foster shared learning.
In 2023, we released “Student Insights into Postsecondary CBE,” based on small focus groups of participants in the CBE Welding Program at Lewis and Clark Community College. Additionally, we published “Lessons Learned from the ICCB CBE Design Team” based on insights gathered throughout the project and supplemented by focus groups and interviews. The document also includes a case study of the CBE Welding program at Lewis and Clark Community College.
In 2026, we launched IllinoisCBE.org, a website and knowledge base for CBE resources developed by the participating community colleges.
