Designing EdTech for Competency-Based Learning: Beyond Grades, Credits, and Seat Time

As competency-based learning (CBL) expands, many schools are discovering that their technology systems were built for a different model of education. Learning management systems, student information systems, assessment platforms and reporting tools often assume fixed pacing, seat time and traditional grading, forcing CBL schools to build workarounds, maintain parallel systems or squeeze rich learning into formats existing tools recognize. Drawing on a national study of competency-based high schools, this round table discussion brings together school leaders, district technology leaders, CBL practitioners and edtech developers to examine where current systems create friction. Through structured design activities, participants will identify challenges in mastery tracking, flexible pacing, learner progression, assessment, reporting and interoperability, then generate a field-informed set of design conditions. District leaders will gain questions to bring to vendors and procurement, and developers will gain direct insight into CBL needs. Together, explore what edtech would look like if it were designed to support competency-based learning from the start.