Competency-based learning and school outcomes. A longitudinal study in the Principality of Asturias

Authors

  • José Antonio Álvarez Castrillón Universidad de Oviedo
  • Alejandro Rodríguez Martín Universidad de Oviedo
  • Emilio Álvarez Arregui Universidad de Oviedo
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6018/j/211041
Keywords: Keys competences, student characteristics, social characteristics, outcomes of education.

Abstract

The recent laws regulating the education system in Spain have coincided in two main aspects: the introduction of the competency-based approach and the implementation of diagnostic evaluations to ascertain their degree of development. The application of these evaluations in the Principality of Asturias from the academic year 2005-2006 has enabled the region to be one of the pioneers in designing and carrying them out. This article presents a meta-analysis study of the results obtained by students taking the fourth year of Primary Education and the second year of Secondary Education in the diagnostic evaluations in Asturias in the last six academic years (2006-2012), in order to know the impact that the competency-based approach has had on educational outcomes of students in this region. The method used was a meta-analysis of the overall statistical results provided by the Department of Education, Culture and Sport.

The sample (N= 36,512) comprises all thestudents of those years who participated in the evaluations which were conducted through the completion of the several instruments designed for each academic year (ad-hoc questionnaires). The results show that the competency-based approach has had positive repercussions on the students’ school performance and that the individual variables and the socioeconomic and cultural level of the students have exerted a differential influence. This study proves that diagnostic evaluations provide key indicators for the management of teams so that they can guide the design and implementation of the improvement plans in order to foster teaching practices that can help develop the basic competencies and lead to a cultural change at schools.

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Published
10-11-2014
How to Cite
Álvarez Castrillón, J. A., Rodríguez Martín, A., & Álvarez Arregui, E. (2014). Competency-based learning and school outcomes. A longitudinal study in the Principality of Asturias. Educatio Siglo XXI, 32(3 Noviembr), 181–210. https://doi.org/10.6018/j/211041
Issue
Vol. 32 No. 3 Noviembr (2014)
Section
Artículos

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