A NAVIGATOR’S HANDBOOK TO A ROBUST NON-DEGREE CREDENTIAL DATA ECOSYSTEM - Charting a Course to Quality

Oct 15, 2026

A Navigator’s Handbook to a Robust Non-Degree Credential Data Ecosystem presents a roadmap for state policymakers, agency leaders, and advocates to build a data ecosystem that supports quality measurement for non-degree credentials. It defines key ecosystem elements, outlines actionable steps using real-world state examples, and offers guidance and considerations for implementation. For technical teams, it includes an assessment tool to identify existing versus needed capabilities and a curated list of additional resources to support policy change and development.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages32

Reading Time1 h 21 min

AccessFree to download

Glossary

Introduction

Before Embarking: The Need for Good Data and Information on Non-Degree Credentials

The Destination: A Robust State Non-Degree Credential Data Ecosystem

Plotting the Course: Waypoints for State Action

Compass Points: Insights for Policymakers, State Agencies, and Advocates

Appendix A. Rubric for Assessing State Progress and Capacity to Measure and Report on Quality Non-Degree Learning, Credentials, and Career Pathways

Appendix B. Additional Resources to Guide Policy Change and Development for State and Federal Policymakers

Acknowledgements

A NAVIGATOR’S HANDBOOK TO A ROBUST NON-DEGREE CREDENTIAL DATA ECOSYSTEM CHARTING A COURSE TO QUALITY COURSE NAVIGATING THIS HANDBOOK: HOW TO USE THIS PUBLICATION This publication charts a course that state policymakers — specifically governors, state agency leaders, and legislators — and advocates can use to achieve a robust non-degree credential data ecosystem. It provides state policymakers with: • A description of a robust non-degree credential data ecosystem and its elements. • Specific actions that state policymakers can take to develop the elements of a robust data ecosystem with real-world state examples. • Considerations to inform their journey toward a robust data ecosystem. For state agency leaders and staff who are engaged in the essential technical work of developing a data ecosystem, the appendices in this publication include: • An assessment tool that states can use to determine which elements of a data ecosystem they have and which ones they still need. • A list of additional resources that maybe useful for the technical aspects of developing a robust data ecosystem. 1 2 4 3 5 FLOAT PLAN: TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Glossary 3 Introduction 4 Before Embarking: The Need for Good Data and Information on Non-Degree Credentials 9 The Destination: A Robust State Non-Degree Credential Data Ecosystem 11 Plotting the Course: Waypoints for State Action 16 Compass Points: Insights for Policymakers, State Agencies, and Advocates 18 Appendix A. Rubric for Assessing State Progress and Capacity to Measure and Report on Quality Non-Degree Learning, Credentials, and Career Pathways 23 Appendix B. Additional Resources to Guide Policy Change and Development for State and Federal Policymakers 26 Acknowledgements CHARTING A COURSE TO QUALITY 1 GLOSSARY NON-DEGREE CREDENTIAL DATA ECOSYSTEM: The interacting set of data actors, infrastructure, systems, policies, and practices that come together to provide holistic information on the quality of non-degree credentials and whether they are leading to positive and equitable outcomes for people who earn them. Note: for simplicity, this paper will use “data ecosystem”interchangeably with “non-degree credential data ecosystem.” ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROVIDER LISTS: A list of training providers and their programs that have met the federal and state requirements for serving people using a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Title I Individual Training Account voucher. OUTCOME REPORTS AND DASHBOARDS: Dashboards that use common metrics to report education and employment outcomes across publicly funded education and training programs. OCCUPATIONAL SUPPLY AND DEMAND REPORTS: Reports that compare the number of newly trained workers from education and training programs with employer demand as measured by the number of job openings. Comparisons are broken down by level of education and occupational field. THIRD PARTY PROVIDER: Providers of education and training and/or issuers of non-degree credentials that are not institutions of higher education, such as professional associations, licensing bodies, and private training providers such as proprietary training schools, bootcamps, and corporate training entities (e.g., Microsoft or Google).1 RACIAL EQUITY: A state that is achieved when race or immigration status is no longer correlated with one’s outcomes; when everyone has what they need to thrive. For example, achieving racial equity in workforce development means race or immigration status no longer determines the likelihood of a participant’s completion of a training program or their educational attainment. INTERSECTIONAL EQUITY: Equity based on the concept of intersectionality, or the complex, cumulative way in which the effects of multiple forms of discrimination (such as racism, sexism, and classism) combine, overlap, or intersect especially in the experiences of people or groups who have been marginalized.2 NON-

FAQs

What does the handbook aim to help states achieve?

It guides state policymakers and advocates in building a robust non-degree credential data ecosystem that supports quality measurement and positive, equitable outcomes.

What key information does the handbook provide for policymakers and advocates?

It describes the ecosystem’s elements, specifies actions to develop those elements using state examples, and explains considerations for the journey toward a robust data ecosystem.

What tools and resources are included for state agencies doing the technical work?

Appendix A includes an assessment tool to determine which elements states have and which they still need, and Appendix B provides additional resources to guide policy change and development.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery