This weekend, nearly 900 students graduated from Western Governors University – Texas at a ceremony in Houston. WGU is geared toward non-traditional students â the average age of their students is 39. The online university offers an approach called competency-based education, where the focus is on what a student learns and not on fulfilling a set number of hours in class.
News 88.7 education reporter Laura Isensee spoke with one of last weekendâs graduates who said the competency-based approach and flexible schedule were the only way she could get a nursing degree despite the demands of a marriage and a daughter with special needs.
Laura also speaks with Veronica Stidvent who became WGU Texasâ new chancellor in July. In their conversation, Stidvent further explains what competency-based education is and why itâs growing in popularity.
