How States Can Use Micro-Credentialing

Executive Summary – Read the full report here »

Micro-credentials are a potentially game-changing strategy for states to help experienced, hard-working and highly skilled teachers continuously improve their practice to meet the ever-increasing needs of their students in a global, 21st-century economy. Micro-credentials are a competency-based, personalized validation that a teacher has mastered a specific classroom practice and can use it effectively in his or her classroom. This contrasts sharply with most professional development, which at best requires only theoretical understanding of a classroom practice.

States are using micro-credentials to target the skills teachers most need, achieve a higher return on state investment in professional learning, make teacher relicensure more meaningful, address teacher shortages, and create skills-based pathways for career advancement, where strong teachers can remain in the classroom. States are continuing to explore micro-credentials and learn from pilot efforts.

As states begin to scale micro-credentials, they can take the time needed to incorporate micro-credentials into a larger state strategy to improve classroom instruction and make sure that teachers support micro-credentials. They can focus on those micro-credentials with the strongest connection to student learning and that best meet the specific needs of teachers, schools, and districts. They can also ensure that teachers receive the time and support they need to hit the higher bar of teacher practice that micro-credentials can set.

Read the full report here »

This report was published independently by ExcelinEd. For more details and information about this report, please visit: https://www.excelined.org/edfly-blog/micro-credentials-a-game-changing-opportunity-for-teachers-professional-growth/