Study of Effectiveness of Methodology ‘Impact of Competency-Based Education (CBE) and Traditional Assessment methods on the development of higher-order thinking skills among secondary school students’

This study explores the comparative impact of Competency-Based Education (CBE) and Traditional Assessment methods on the development of higher-order thinking skills among secondary school students.As education shifts from rote memorization toward skill mastery and critical thinking, this research seeks to understand how different assessment models influence learners' abilities to analyze, evaluate, and create.Using a mixed-method approach, the study involves two groups of students-one taught and assessed through CBE frameworks emphasizing personalized learning and mastery, and the other evaluated using conventional testing systems.Data is collected through pre-and post-assessment tests, classroom observations, and student interviews.The findings aim to reveal whether CBE provides a more effective environment for nurturing higher-order cognitive skills as defined in Bloom's Taxonomy.The research also investigates student engagement, teacher perceptions, and classroom dynamics under each model.The study's implications could guide curriculum designers, policymakers, and educators in adopting assessment strategies that not only measure learning outcomes but also foster deep, critical, and creative thinking among students. COMPETENCY-BASED EDUCATION (CBE)Competency-Based Education (CBE) is a student-centered approach to learning that focuses on the acquisition and demonstration of specific skills, knowledge, and abilities-referred to as competencies-rather than the completion of traditional academic tasks within a fixed time frame.In CBE, students progress at their own pace, advancing only after they have demonstrated mastery of a given competency.This model stands in contrast to conventional education systems where all students move through the curriculum based on age or grade level, regardless of their level of understanding.CBE emphasizes personalized learning, continuous feedback, and real-world application of knowledge.