For many learners, the pursuit of higher education is complicated by multiple demands and obligations of work, family, and life. As educational leaders work to expand higher education access and attainment through incremental credentialing efforts, they must focus first on the needs of the learner.
Incremental credentials increase learners’ chances to be formally recognized for what they know and can do. However, this increased opportunity can sometimes confuse learners as to which credentials are best for them. That makes learner supports—services such as academic and career advising—more important than ever. There are several crucial factors that influence learners’ choices, including: an understanding of learning pathways, knowledge of funding sources to support incremental credentialing, receipt of credit for prior learning, and an understanding of how employers view incremental credentials.
Support services empower learners by providing options and information, giving them resources they need to tailor their educational and employment journeys to their unique needs and goals.
Credential As You Go has acquired three phases of funding to date. Lumina Foundation funded Phase I, resulting in the Incremental Credential Framework for testing. The Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education funds Phase II (Grant R305T210063), which focuses on rapid prototyping of and research on incremental credentials with a national campaign. An anonymous private donor fund at the Program on Skills, Credentials & Workforce Policy at George Washington University funds the development of the prototype Learn and Work Ecosystem Library. Walmart funds Phase III, which focuses on systems change for expansion and sustainability of incremental credentials. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not represent views of Lumina Foundation, Institute of Education Sciences, the U.S. Department of Education, Walmart, or George Washington University.
