WASHINGTON, D.C. (JUNE 25, 2020) — National nonprofit Credential Engine announced today that it has received a major investment from Lumina Foundation to support the new State Policy Partnership initiative aimed at accelerating and expanding credential transparency in states across the country, in addition to several of its signature programs.
The State Policy Partnership is focused on expanding credential transparency and is comprised of leading state policy organizations: The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO), Data Quality Campaign (DQC), Education Commission of the States (ECS), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), National Governors Association (NGA), State Higher Education Executive Officers Association (SHEEO), and Credential Engine.
“At a time of acute economic displacement and labor market uncertainty, the urgency has never been greater for transparent, reliable information about credentials and tools to find, compare, and evaluate the wide range of credentials in today’s job market,” noted Chauncy Lennon, vice president for the future of learning and work at Lumina. “This investment reflects our strong commitment to increasing transparency in our increasingly complex credential marketplace.”
In collaboration with the six state policy organizations, Credential Engine is developing case studies, policy and legislative models, and other tools to help state leaders in K-12 schools, higher education, and workforce integrate data within and across state systems. Additional grant activities will support technological upgrades and communications.
“I am proud of the work we’ve done so far to build out the infrastructure to support openness and transparency in the credential marketplace and our ongoing partnership with Lumina Foundation,” said Scott Cheney, executive director of Credential Engine. “We’ve spent years building credential transparency in states.”
Eighteen states and regions are now working with Credential Engine and its suite of open source technologies to improve transparency of credentials, competencies, skills pathways, and quality indicators. In addition, fifteen major postsecondary organizations — led by ACE, Educause, AACRAO, and AACC — last year announced their commitment to credential transparency and support of Credential Engine’s work.
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Credential Engine is a non-profit whose mission is to create credential transparency, reveal the credential marketplace, increase credential literacy, and empower everyone to make more informed decisions about credentials and their value. Credential Engine receives support from Lumina Foundation, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Walmart, Northrop Grumman Foundation, ECMC Foundation, Microsoft, the National Science Foundation, Siegel Family Endowment, and Google.org.
Credential Engine Contact: Scott Cheney scheney@credentialengine.org
Lumina Foundation is an independent, private foundation in Indianapolis that is committed to making opportunities for learning beyond high school available to all. The foundation envisions a system that is easy to navigate, delivers fair results, and meets the nation’s need for talent through a broad range of credentials. Lumina’s goal is to prepare people for informed citizenship and for success in a global economy.
Lumina Foundation Contact: Tracy Chen tchen@luminafoundation.org
Lumina Foundation Credential Engine RELEASE