Connecting credentials: making the case for reforming the US credentialing system

There are myriad credentials in the marketplace, including degrees, educational certificates, occupational licenses and industry certifications. New types of credentials such as digital badges and enhanced transcripts are emerging. However, there's a complication. While some of these credentials represent a clear but narrowly defined set of knowledge and skills, many more represent completion of a postsecondary education program which may or may not have clearly defined learning outcomes. In most cases, there's little clarity about what these credentials mean - their value, their quality...  [+] Show more

There are myriad credentials in the marketplace, including degrees, educational certificates, occupational licenses and industry certifications. New types of credentials such as digital badges and enhanced transcripts are emerging. However, there's a complication. While some of these credentials represent a clear but narrowly defined set of knowledge and skills, many more represent completion of a postsecondary education program which may or may not have clearly defined learning outcomes. In most cases, there's little clarity about what these credentials mean - their value, their quality and how they connect. And that makes their use difficult - for employers trying to determine whether prospective hires are qualified, and for students trying to navigate an increasingly complex marketplace for education beyond high school.

Excerpt from publication.