In our ever-evolving work to increase access to college education, Mt. SAC is one of seven California Community Colleges to pilot a new learning modality, Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education, or CBE. Through Mt. SAC's Chancellor's office approved and ACCJC accredited CBE program students will be able to earn an AA in Kinesiology at their own pace. CBE is outcomes-based so students learn and then demonstrate their knowledge and abilities through direct assessment. Although the modality and assessments are different, the classes and the rigor are the same.

In today's episode we are joining Mike Hood, Astronomy Professor and CBE Faculty Lead, Lani Ruh, Co-Coordinator Kinesiology Professor, and Eva Figueroa Morales, Instructional Designer, at their Spring Flex Day session, to learn more about this new modality and the opportunities it offers for those who have not been able to fit traditional classes into their lives.

Resources:

California Community College Chancellor's Office, (2025). Direct Assessment Competency-Based Education. "DA CBE aims to create equitable access to educational pathways and career opportunities. It accommodates diverse abilities, and backgrounds through flexibly-paced learning that focuses on what students know and can do rather than the time spent in the classroom."

California Community College Chancellor's Office, (2025). Direct Assessment: Competency-Based Education, Implementation Blueprint. Resource co-developed with eight early innovator colleges to support the design and implementation of direct assessment CBE programs across California.

Competency-Based Education Network

Access guides, research, case studies, and blogs on CBE.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• DA-CBE Update 5/8/2025 Academic Senate Meeting

Run time: 35 min, 13 sec

To Find the full transcript for this episode click HERE