Programs moving from content to competency-based learning requires program evaluation and assessment. Scaffolding of a Program assists in addressing what students are learning in terms of both knowledge and skills over the course of the program. In Competency based curriculum the competencies can assist in defining course objectives and scope.
In Higher Education programs encounter challenges in student retention and success. Many institutions are considering accreditation as a method of addressing these challenges.
In turn, accreditation agencies are now requiring programs to be competency-based which requires more than general knowledge of a field. The conversion from content-based programs to competency-based programs also requires programs to move from Blooms Taxonomy to Millers Pyramid which requires more focus on the performance of skills. These changes require programs to scaffold courses, which allows students to build knowledge and skills throughout the course of the program vs. individual courses.
Scaffolding of courses requires cumulative assessment which assist in determining course offerings. In addition, scaffolding assists in determining the knowledge and skills gained in each individual course and reduces program gaps to improve student success and retention. The objectives and goals of this presentation are: 1) describe and explain the benefits of scaffolding, 2) explain the various methodologies of scaffolding a program, 3) present recommendation on addressing extensive course overlaps and gaps and 4) strategies to maintain scaffolding within a program. As an outcome of the session program faculty and directors will gain insight on how to assess their programs with evidence for improved student success and retention while addressing program and institutional standards.