Republican Congressman Glenn Grothman has introduced a new education bill alongside two other members of Congress, one of whom is a Democrat.
Grothman was joined in the introduction of the Empowering Learners Through Competency-Based Education Act by fellow Republican Burgess Owens of Utah and Democrat Brittany Pettersen of Colorado.
The trio says this measure will assist universities in cultivating learning environments that will allow students to learn at their own pace in an effort to more quickly lead young Americans to meaningful careers with less student loan debt.
Grothman stated in a news release, “Ensuring students receive a top-notch education without accruing significant debt is a top priority of mine. Competency-based education offers a transformative approach to higher education, addressing the staggering student loan debt crisis that burdens so many graduates. By allowing students to progress at their own pace and demonstrate mastery of subjects, CBE programs enable them to complete degrees in significantly less time with less debt. The Empowering Learners Through Competency-Based Education Act will streamline CBE implementation, empowering students, easing financial burdens, and fostering innovation in education.”
Petterson echoed his sentiment – “Students learn at different paces, but a one-size-fits-all higher education system fails to cater to this fact. This bipartisan bill will create more options for those seeking higher education by fostering learning environments that allow students to self-pace and develop specific skills and knowledge in a shorter timeframe. As a mom, I want my son, and every kid, to have as many options as possible when they graduate high school. This bill will not only give more flexibility to students, but will also help us combat the student debt crisis by creating affordable options for those wishing to enter the workforce.”
Owens spoke of the economic impact – “To build and maintain the greatest economy in the world, America needs to align our education standards with our workforce demands. This bill addresses fundamental issues plaguing our nation’s higher education system, providing a much-needed departure from an unaffordable, inflexible, and outdated structure that does not benefit students. Colleges across the country are beginning to challenge the traditional credit hour model and emphasize skills mastery as a more relevant metric for academic progress, and it’s working. This legislation represents the forward-looking approach needed to close the skills gap, connect employer needs with employee competencies, and inject a bold approach into how we develop future generations of Utahns and Americans that will stand the test of time.”
