1. Initiative Overview Susan Lupo Corporation for a Skilled Workforce
September 21, 2016

2. Connecting Credentials
Initiative Overview
Beta Credentials Framework
Introduce Field Tests

3. Goal 2025 Lumina Foundation Increase the proportion of Americans with
high quality degrees, certificates and other
credentials to 60% by 2025

4. Credentialing Landscape Credentialing Marketplace
Highly Diverse & Decentralized
Credentialing Marketplace
Many Types of Credentials
Schools
Industry Groups
Occupational Groups
Licensing Boards
Accreditors
and more . . .
Different Purposes
Different Quality
Different Assurance
Different Metrics
Difficult to Understand
Lots of Actors
Fragmented, multi-layered, complex “system” that doesn’t work well for individuals, employers, educators

5. Credentialing Eco- System
Vision of the
Credentialing Eco- System
All learning matters – wherever it’s obtained.
All credentials are based on learning outcomes and competencies.
Credentials are portable, transferable, transparent, useful, & easily understood by learners and employers.
Learners & employers – the consumers of credentials – can make informed choices about the value of
different credentials and about their investment in pursuing these credentials.
Credentials are supported by comprehensive digital records that communicate what learners know & can
do, aggregate learning from multiple providers, and provide access to learners’ actual work products.
Technology & common language enable transparent & interoperability among all credentials.

6. Connecting Credentials
Action Plan Launch September 20, 2016
Field-Based Experimentation
Scalable Employer Engagement
Pathways to Increase Equity
Use Tech & Real-time Data
Nimble QA Processes
Common Language
October 2015
200 Leaders from 150 Organizations
100+ Co-Sponsors
National Summit
Work Groups
Collective Action Campaign
Credentials Framework
Goal
2025

7. Connecting Credentials
Collective Action Campaign
Engage Employers
Learners Empowered to Navigate System
Shared Understanding of Quality & Reciprocal QA Processes
Open, Interoperable Data & Tech Infrastructure
Common Language Centered on Competencies
Public Policy Advances Equity
Field-Based Development of Tools, Policies & Practices
Seven Areas
for
Action

8. Connecting Credentials Framework
Functions as a reference tool to build profiles
Profile
Enables “apples to apples” comparisons within and across profiles
Analysis
Learning derived from profiling; making connections more explicit
Strategy
Actions taken to leverage learning
Connecting Credentials Framework
Value
Added
It’s important to think about the Framework as a reference tool that’s used in conjunction with a profiling template. When used together they help produce a standardized and scalable way to compare credentials. The analysis part of the process provides the value-add of profiling using the Framework. It helps show patterns, expose gaps, uncover opportunities in the design of curriculum or pathways or credentials.

9. Snapshot of the Beta Credentials Framework
Levels
Knowledge
Skills
The level requirements in study and work are described in terms of the degree of adaptability, range, complexity, and selectivity.
Knowledge describes what a learner knows, understands and can demonstrate. The requirements and competencies are described in terms of depth, breadth and dimension.
Skills describe what an individual can do in applying knowledge completing tasks, and solving problems (involving the use of logical, intuitive and creative thinking).
Specialized Skills
The requirements and competencies are described in terms of:
Critical Thinking and Judgement;
Integrative Applications
Systems Thinking
Personal Skills
Autonomy
Responsibility
Self-Awareness and Reflection
Social Skills
Communication
Involvement
Teamwork and Leadership
Levels 1 - 8
It’s important to think about the Framework as a reference tool that’s used in conjunction with a profiling template. When used together they help produce a standardized and scalable way to compare credentials. The analysis part of the process provides the value-add of profiling using the Framework. It helps show patterns, expose gaps, uncover opportunities in the design of curriculum or pathways or credentials.

10. Snapshot of the Beta Credentials Framework
It’s important to think about the Framework as a reference tool that’s used in conjunction with a profiling template. When used together they help produce a standardized and scalable way to compare credentials. The analysis part of the process provides the value-add of profiling using the Framework. It helps show patterns, expose gaps, uncover opportunities in the design of curriculum or pathways or credentials.

11. Potential Applications
Credentials Framework
Pathways
Articulate
Credentials
Align
Stacking Credentials
Align Job Tasks to Competencies
Develop Programs
Align Assessment

12. Field Test Goals Proof-of-Concept Establishing a community of users
Other projects are in the mix
Rich repository of learning to share across
colleges and projects
Discover new applications
Improve the use and function of the
Framework
Contact:

13. Framework Field Tests Field Test Purpose Field Test Examples
Engage a wide audience of users in testing and experimenting with the Framework
Discover applications and value through experimentation
No “right” answers; “permission to play”
Field Test Purpose
US Geospatial Intelligence Foundation – aligning Bachelor’s level certificate programs to create blueprints for use by higher education at Associate and Bachelor’s level
Southern Oregon Project – WIB’s and Community Colleges aligning credentials with small and medium-sized manufacturers, from HS to CTE training and employment
SUNY Empire State – Faculty will use the Framework and Global Learning Qualifications Framework to identity competencies to assess prior learning
Capella University – Align RN to BSN Fast Track and design several core Emergency Management graduate programs
Right Signals Community Colleges
Field Test Examples

14. Connecting Credentials Framework Profiling Template
Competencies
Knowledge
Skills
Specialized Personal Social
Assessment Type and Proficiency
Rationale/Discoveries

15. Columbus State’s Story
Dr. Thomas Habegger, Dean of Health and Human Services
Medical Lab Technician
Associate Degree Profile
Aligned to Job Descriptions and Tasks
Clinical Lab Assistant Certificate
Certificate Profile
Aligned to Job Descriptions
Early Childhood Development
Profile competencies to develop delivery of essential content aligning to short-term state mandated certification
Scale to become provider hub

16. Columbus State MLT Profile Example
Existing Job Description
Knowledge
Skills
Specialized Personal Social
Assessment Type and Proficiency
CCSC MLT Program Outcomes
Perform Post Analytical Procedures
Level 4
Interpret and correlate results
 Level 3
Call critical patients test results
 1. Demonstrates proficiency in the areas of pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical processes in all disciplines of the clinical laboratory
2. Demonstrate the theoretical knowledge needed to assure accuracy and validity of test results by clinical correlation and quality control performance
3. Exhibit the professional attitudes and behaviors that are necessary for gaining and maintaining the confidence of the health care community
4. Meet requirements to take a national certifying examination for MLT
 Level 4
Distribute patient test results
 1. Demonstrates proficiency in the areas of pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical, processes in all disciplines of the clinical laboratory

17. Columbus State Discoveries and Strategies

18. Capella University’s Story
Dr. Jeff Grann, Academic Director Assessment & Learning Analytics
RN to BSN FlexPath
Existing direct assessment program
11 courses
2 faculty & 1 ID
May 2016
School of Public Service Leadership
New graduate degree programs
Shared courses
16 person team (faculty, CS, ID, AS, Media)
Nov 2016

19. Capella University’s Tools
Framework Resources
Profiling Form
Integration Form
Full Course Content
Moderation Session
Assessment Requirements
Course Definition Form

20. Capella University’s Discoveries and Strategies
Communicating credentialing context boosts team engagement.
Leveling judgments aided by assessment context.
Faculty rate statements higher than instructional designers.
Improve inter-rater reliability with moderation sessions.
Minimize verb charts.
Expect quality improvement opportunities.
Differentiating 4 domains with 8 levels was challenging.

21. Field Test Outcomes (so far)
Unearth the intent and clarity of outcomes/and or competency statements
Better understanding of what and how assessment aligns to a competency
Locating curricular gaps and/aligning to industry credentials
Improving processes to sequence curriculum
Identifying common way to refer to learning within and across programs/credentials
Align programs, courses, credentials, and assessment with job tasks/competencies
Scaling across programs, state systems
Field Test Outcomes (so far)

22. More Information @ connectingcredentials.org
Thank You