Fred Bramante
The Father of the Competency-Based Learning Movement
Nationwide
Founder & President of NCCBL
National Center for Competency-Based Learning
Fred is the Founder and President of the National Center for Competency-Based Learning (NCCBL),
a New Hampshire based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose vision is “the world as the classroom.”
Today, NCCBL, under Fred’s leadership, is leading the New Hampshire Department of Education’s
effort to revamp its K–12 regulations. Additionally, NCCBL is coordinating an effort along with
the NH School Administrators to “Redefine” what it means to be “Ready” to
successfully complete high school — with a new vision that says
“by 2025, virtually every New Hampshire high school student will earn, or be on a personalized
path to earning, a post-secondary or career related credential.”
Fred has delivered over 1,500 presentations to audiences nationwide on education reform and school redesign.
His speaking events have inspired leaders in education about the possibilities for true student engagement,
student success, and the positive impact it has within the workforce, particularly for traditionally
underserved communities.
2019
About Fred Bramante
In 1995, Fred Bramante received the prestigious Alumni Achievement Award from Keene State College, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Science (1970). In 2009, Fred was given the Alumni Achievement Award from Plymouth State University where he received his Masters Degree in Educational Leadership (2006). In 1964, Fred graduated 206th of 212 students in his high school; that year his applications for admission to both colleges were rejected.
A former 8th grade Science teacher, Fred left teaching to put a full-time effort into his fledgling music business. With his life savings of $600, Fred founded Daddy’s Junky Music (1972) and grew it from the smallest of over 11,000 music dealers to the 15th largest in America.
Fred is a former candidate for governor and a past Chairman of the New Hampshire State Board of Education. Appointed by both Republican and Democratic governors, Fred served on the State Board longer than anyone in the state’s history. In 2003, as chairman, Fred led New Hampshire’s first full-scale effort to redesign public education since 1919 — making New Hampshire the first state to move toward a competency-based model and starting the national movement. Fred has been referred to as “The Father” of the movement.
Fred’s work is chronicled in his book Off the Clock: Moving Education from Time to Competency (Bramante & Colby, Corwin Press, 2011).
Keynote Topics
Three powerful presentations on education reform, student engagement, and workforce development.
Reimagining Learning — Saving Public Education from Itself
Let’s face it: We’re STRUGGLING! In America today, poor test scores, dropouts, the label of “boring”, workforce needs, charter schools — and then Covid — public education is under ever-increasing pressure to evolve. But trying to extricate ourselves from the 1906 seat-time model is easier said than done.
A new model is emerging. America is beginning to move toward competency-based learning (CBL). Done well, a competency-based system will enable a customized learning experience for every student.
“Fred Bramante is the 21st century’s John Dewey.” — Dr. Leo Corriveau, former NH Superintendent of Schools
Learning Objectives
- Learn how 20th century policies prevent change and foster the status quo.
- Actively engage the 4 key stakeholder groups in the process of change.
- Ensure that even the most challenging students become successful learners.
Guns, Drugs and a Passion for Learning
“You show me a kid who is bored in school and I’ll show you a kid who is more likely to become involved in bad behavior.” It’s rarely the engaged student who gets in trouble.
Our system of public education was never designed to make students passionate about learning. That passion exists in virtually every student, but schools rarely tap into it. How can we change the system so every student feels genuinely excited about school?
“Every school’s focus should be to ensure that every student is passionate about their learning and help students become experts in whatever is their personal area of interest.”
Learning Objectives
- Learn about the relationship between lack of engagement and bad behaviors.
- Learn how state and local policies prevent the necessary changes.
- Learn how to engage the 4 key stakeholder groups in the change process.
- Ensure that even the most challenging students become passionate learners.
ED2 — Education Driven Economic Development
A high-school diploma is no longer sufficient to send students out into the world of work.
The goal of ED2 is to make business and education full partners in creating the workforce of tomorrow by matching students’ interests with workforce needs and creating a nearly endless pipeline of interns. Led by Fred Bramante, ED2 is the official mission of the New Hampshire Coalition for Business and Education (NHCBE).
“By 2025 virtually every New Hampshire high school student will earn, or be on a personalized path to earning, a post-secondary or career-related credential.”
Learning Objectives
- Learn how competency-based learning facilitates the building of ED2.
- Learn the 10 key components of a comprehensive ED2 Action Plan.
- Learn how to turn students’ interests into real-world internships and career credentials.
References
Ray McNulty — President, National Dropout Prevention Center —
rmcnulty@spnetwork.org
Dr. Stephen Reno — Former Chancellor, University System of NH —
stephen.reno@usnh.edu
Past Clients
Fred Bramante has given approximately 1,500 presentations on school redesign to audiences nationwide.
- Alaska School Boards Association
- American Association of School Administrators
- Association of Educational Service Agencies
- Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD)
- CESA #1 — Wisconsin
- Design Challenge — Missouri
- Iowa Education Summit
- Missouri 2022 Education Conference
- Model Schools Conference
- National Education Association (NEA) Republican Conference
- National Governors Association
- Rhode Island Association of School Committees
- Vermont Superintendents Association
- West Ed Annual Conference
June 11, 2013 — It’s Not About Time; It’s About Learning: Fred Bramante at TEDxYouth@IFTA
Book Fred
Ready to bring Fred’s message to your audience? Get in touch to discuss availability and topics.
Phone
603-231-2708