The landscape of education is evolving rapidly, with a focus on skills-based hiring and advancement in the United States. Microcredentials and Learning and Employment Records (LER) are at the forefront of this shift, offering students the opportunity to certify their learning and success, as well as track their lifelong learning journey. These technologies are particularly beneficial for systematically excluded learners, providing them with a pathway to career advancement and success.
The Promise of Microcredentials and Learning and Employment Record Technologies for Youth and K-12 Schools report, published by education nonprofit Digital Promise, aims to guide district leaders and technology sector professionals on successfully implementing competency-based, learner-centered microcredentials and LER technologies in K-12 schools. By utilizing LER technologies, individuals can document and share their skills, credentials, diplomas, and employment history, enhancing their resumes with verifiable achievements in real-time.
Microcredentials play a crucial role in verifying an individual’s competence in a specific skill or set of skills. These digital certifications have the potential to foster lifelong learning and career advancement, particularly for systematically excluded learners. Rita Fennelly-Atkinson, senior director of credentials at Digital Promise, emphasizes the importance of organizations serving youth in adopting competency-based credentialing and recognition to increase opportunities for learners and provide them with pathways to success.
The skills-based economy is constantly evolving to keep up with the rapid pace of innovation. As such, it is essential for education leaders and technology providers to embrace competency-based credentialing and recognition to empower learners and open doors to career opportunities. By adopting microcredentials and LER technologies, schools can equip students with the necessary skills and qualifications to thrive in the workforce.
In partnerships between high schools and community colleges, microcredentials are becoming increasingly popular. High school students can earn microcredentials that lead to job-ready certificates or qualifications, enabling them to pursue career opportunities while still on an associate’s degree track. This approach aligns with the shift towards skills-based hiring, which values the skills acquired through apprenticeships and training programs over traditional college degrees.
The Readiness Framework, developed by Digital Promise in collaboration with K-12 education leaders and microcredential and LER implementation experts, provides district leaders with a roadmap to assess their readiness to implement LER technologies and competency-based microcredentials. By prioritizing the voices of systematically excluded learners, the framework aims to ensure equity and inclusion in the adoption of digital credentialing and LERs in K-12 schools.
Christina Luke Luna, chief learning officer at Digital Promise, emphasizes the importance of expanding opportunities for youth to showcase their knowledge and skills. By providing guidance on implementing microcredentials and LER technologies, education leaders, technology providers, and funders can design programs that promote equity and inclusion, with learners at the forefront of decision-making processes.
In addition to the report, Digital Promise has released a video titled “Boost K-12 Success with MicroCredentials & LER Tech for Skill Recognition,” showcasing how K-12 learners can leverage these technologies to support their postsecondary pathway aspirations. This video highlights the various ways in which microcredentials and LER technologies can empower students to achieve their academic and career goals.
As the education landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial for schools to embrace innovative technologies like microcredentials and LERs to prepare students for success in the workforce. By providing students with the tools to document and showcase their skills and achievements, schools can empower them to pursue their chosen career paths with confidence and competence. Through a commitment to lifelong learning and career advancement, schools can ensure that all students have access to the opportunities they need to thrive in the 21st-century economy.