State-and Industry-Recognized Credential and Certifications for 2019-20 - May 1, 2019

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk

Recommendation to the Indiana State Board of Education to approve the 2019-20 official list of state- and industry-recognized credentials and certifications for current students entering Graduation Pathways. The document defines “industry-recognized credential” under 511 IAC 6.2-10-1(26) and outlines how the list supports A-F school accountability and Federal Perkins performance indicators. It details background, an employer-led update process, evaluation criteria, and key changes from the 2018-19 to 2019-20 list, including greater employer vetting and career-cluster organization.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages21

Reading Time53 min

AccessFree to download

Recommendation

Definition and legal basis

Process for updating the list

Evaluation criteria

Changes from 2018-19 to 2019-20

TO: Indiana State Board of Education FROM: Alicia Kielmovitch, Senior Director of Policy and Legislation RE: State-and Industry-Recognized Credential and Certifications for 2019-20 DATE: May 1, 2019 Recommendation: Approve the 2019-20 list of industry-recognized credentials and certifications for current students opting into Graduation Pathways for graduation.1 The 2019-20 list of industryrecognized credentials and certifications will serve as the official list for: 􀁸 A-F school accountability, and 􀁸 Federal Perkins performance indicators to the US Department of Education. Background: 511 IAC 6.2-10-1(26) defines “industry-recognized credential” as a certification or credential: A. Developed or supported by business and industry to verify student mastery of technical skills competencies in an occupational area that aligns with Indiana's economic sectors; and B. Approved by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) . When DWD first created this list in 2015, it identified certifications that were loosely tied to wage and demand data. As the data have become more comprehensive, DWD has been more diligent in how it curates this list. The Graduation Pathways Policy, adopted by the Indiana State Board of Education (SBOE) in December 2017, permits students to use ‘State-and Industry-recognized Credential or Certification,’ to satisfy the PostsecondaryReady Competency requirement. This forcing event encouraged DWD to identify certifications with a greater focus on postsecondary transference and usefulness for students. Graduation Pathways forced DWD to strategically collaborate across multiple state agencies and purposefully engage with employers to update the listed certifications. The Governor’s Workforce Cabinet (GWC) and DWD, in collaboration with the staff from Department of Education (DOE), Department of Agriculture (DOA), Commission for Higher Education (CHE), and SBOE reviewed the current list of certifications used for Graduation Pathways and the college-and career-readiness criteria for school accountability. Process for Updating the List: Working with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, this interagency group convened over 100 employers from each of the industry sectors to provide input as to which certifications were recognized and valued by employers across the state. Industry associations also reviewed the suggested certifications to determine their value. DWD intends to conduct an annual review of this list to ensure alignment with employers. It is establishing anew application process for certifications not included in the updated list to be reviewed and considered. This process will be available to schools at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year. Evaluation Criteria: The interagency group examined all of the suggested certifications against the criteria outlined below. In order for a certification to be included on the list for approval, the certification had to meet all of the following criteria: 1. Industry recognized and valued The certifications were first vetted with employers to ensure the certifications are both recognized and valued by employers across the state. For example, a certification that was recognized, but did not necessarily have value, was not included on the list of certifications. 2. Aligned to CTE courses and/or programs of study The industry certifications represent student mastery of content gained through completion of an aligned CTE course(s) and/or programs of study. The certifications reflect a mastery of the depth and breadth of the entire course, rather than a few standards. 1 Students who earn a certification included on the 2018-19 list on or before September 30, 2019 (the deadline to submit the Graduation Report) may use that certification to satisfy the students’ Graduation Pathway requirement. 3. Transference to postsecondary institutions as credit Industry certifications, if aligned properly to coursework, should be accepted for credit

FAQs

What action is being recommended for the 2019-20 list?

Approval of the 2019-20 list of industry-recognized credentials and certifications for students opting into Graduation Pathways for graduation.

How is an “industry-recognized credential” defined in the document?

It is a certification or credential developed or supported by business and industry to verify student mastery of technical skills aligned with Indiana’s economic sectors, and approved by the Department of Workforce Development (DWD).

What criteria must a certification meet to be included on the approved list?

It must be industry recognized and valued, aligned to CTE courses or programs of study, transfer to postsecondary institutions as credit, and lead to high-quality employment beyond entry-level roles.

Sep 26, 2026

Uploaded by hdkawk