This brief outlines the actions state policymakers can take to make credential transparency part of their state’s education, workforce, and economic development strategies.

Our nation is confronted with the daunting task of rebuilding the economy and creating opportunities for individuals who have been impacted by health and equity crises. Achieving this will require a system that gives policymakers, education and training providers, and opportunity seekers access to data systems that make information about credentials more searchable, comparable, and actionable — something we call credential transparency.

As policymakers build data systems that enable credential transparency, they need to ensure these systems: 

1. Use a common language to describe credentials;
2. Tap into a shared repository, so stakeholders have access to the most up-to-date information without duplicating efforts; and
3. Are actionable so stakeholders can use information about credentials to inform better decisions.

This work is already underway in almost half of the states where leaders are working to provide stakeholders open, timely, and reliable information about credentials — everything from badges and certificates to postsecondary degrees — with as much clarity and urgency as possible. Leaders understand that in order for their education, workforce, and economic development goals to work, stakeholders must be able to understand which credentials are in demand, where to earn them, and what their value is in the workforce.

A new policy brief we have co-authored with 11 other state leadership, workforce, education, and data advocacy/technical assistance organizations outlines the actions state policymakers can take to make credential transparency part of their larger state’s goals. It provides various policy and action recommendations, as well as current state examples that leaders can implement. 

Specifically, this brief outlines the actions state policymakers can take to make credential transparency part of their state’s education, workforce, and economic development strategies. It will:

● Showcase the ways credential transparency connects to and augments current state policy priorities;
Provide examples of specific state policies that support credential transparency;
Highlight opportunities and actions state leaders can take; and
Suggest actions and funding streams to support credential transparency.

Explore the full five-part series of Policy Briefs.

Policy Brief 5-State Policy

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Tags: Credential Transparency, State Partners & Policymakers
Fact Sheets

The Value of CTDL for AI

As uses of AI and machine learning are very quickly evolving for applications like skills mapping, learning opportunity recommendations, and career exploration, CTDL provides huge advantages for improved accuracy and relevance in these applications. The CTDL schema and CTDL data in the Credential Registry are highly useful for training and refining AI models because they are structured data that is organized, predefined, and formatted consistently. And the more data that is available in CTDL, the more thoroughly AI tools can analyze patterns in the linked open data and make valuable connections. Credential Engine is working with partners on innovations that combine CTDL as a rich data schema, the huge body of CTDL data that is already in the Credential Registry, and new AI-assisted tools that publish to and consume from the Credential Registry. This resource provides an overview of structured data and the value of CTDL for AI.

Report

Equity Advisory Council Report and Recommendations

Credential Engine’s work is centered around data transparency. Transparent, linked, open data has been identified as a particularly valuable tool for revealing inequities, understanding their root causes, and then informing and driving systemic change in a number of areas, including postsecondary education and training. Credential Engine understands that in a society rife with inequities, a commitment to open data use alone is not sufficient. To support the intentional identification and publishing of key data to aid the field in assessing equitable pathways, transfer, and the recognition of learning, Credential Engine convened a broad coalition of equity-focused thought leaders, called the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The Council, along with HCM Strategists, and Credential Engine staff worked diligently to create a report of recommendations.

Other Resources

Credential Transparency Self-Assessment

This self-assessment tool provides an overview of the specific steps laid out in the “Making Sense of Credentials: A State Roadmap and Action Guide for Transparency” report that state leaders can take to help integrate a common data infrastructure into their statewide education systems and to build a public, open marketplace for information about credentials for learners, workers, employers, and others to make informed decisions about credentials and pathways.

Fact Sheets

The Value of CTDL for AI

As uses of AI and machine learning are very quickly evolving for applications like skills mapping, learning opportunity recommendations, and career exploration, CTDL provides huge advantages for improved accuracy and relevance in these applications. The CTDL schema and CTDL data in the Credential Registry are highly useful for training and refining AI models because they are structured data that is organized, predefined, and formatted consistently. And the more data that is available in CTDL, the more thoroughly AI tools can analyze patterns in the linked open data and make valuable connections. Credential Engine is working with partners on innovations that combine CTDL as a rich data schema, the huge body of CTDL data that is already in the Credential Registry, and new AI-assisted tools that publish to and consume from the Credential Registry. This resource provides an overview of structured data and the value of CTDL for AI.

Report

Equity Advisory Council Report and Recommendations

Credential Engine’s work is centered around data transparency. Transparent, linked, open data has been identified as a particularly valuable tool for revealing inequities, understanding their root causes, and then informing and driving systemic change in a number of areas, including postsecondary education and training. Credential Engine understands that in a society rife with inequities, a commitment to open data use alone is not sufficient. To support the intentional identification and publishing of key data to aid the field in assessing equitable pathways, transfer, and the recognition of learning, Credential Engine convened a broad coalition of equity-focused thought leaders, called the Equity Advisory Council (EAC). The Council, along with HCM Strategists, and Credential Engine staff worked diligently to create a report of recommendations.

Other Resources

Credential Transparency Self-Assessment

This self-assessment tool provides an overview of the specific steps laid out in the “Making Sense of Credentials: A State Roadmap and Action Guide for Transparency” report that state leaders can take to help integrate a common data infrastructure into their statewide education systems and to build a public, open marketplace for information about credentials for learners, workers, employers, and others to make informed decisions about credentials and pathways.

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Our team of experts is ready to help you embark your credential transparency journey. Whether you have questions about our technologies, services, or don’t know how to get started, we’re here to assist.

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