CBE Program to Train More Teachers in North Carolina

North Carolina State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have teamed up to launch a competency-based teacher education program they hope will help address a widening teacher shortage in the state. The online program, based on the D2L Brightspace learning platform, will provide a new certification path for "lateral entry teachers" — those who "have knowledge and expertise in a particular subject, but do not have a teaching license," according to a news announcement.

The competency-based learning model recognizes students' existing skills and real-world experience, allowing them to focus on areas they have not yet mastered. The program's flexibility and individualized learning paths "will make it easier for lateral entry teachers to receive the training they need while remaining in their jobs," the announcement said.

"We can attract more lateral-entry teachers by offering a flexible learning experience that fits teacher development into an already busy life," said Diana Lys, assistant dean of educator preparation and accreditation for the School of Education at UNC-Chapel Hill, in a statement. "Brightspace provides our faculty with the ability to reach lateral entry teachers wherever they are. We also benefit from D2L's expertise in CBE strategic planning, design services and ongoing change management consulting, to ensure success every step of the way."

The program will be piloted this fall with 80 lateral entry teachers and expand in a second phase next spring. The goal is to scale up across the state to train more teachers as required.

About the Author

Rhea Kelly is editor in chief for Campus Technology, THE Journal, and Spaces4Learning. She can be reached at [email protected].

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