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About ELN Micro-Credentials
Since 2017, the IPA, in conjunction with the state principals associations throughout the country, set out to create a proficiency-based system of validating a school leader’s skills tied to state and national standards, including the School Leader Paradigm framework. The result of this work has been the publication of 58 school leader Micro-Credentials endorsed and recognized as the leadership Micro-Credential gold standard by the National Association of Secondary School Leaders (NASSP) (see letter to the right) and EdBridge (see report to the right). Through suggested resources and a research-based approach to skill definition, earners learn, then develop and submit evidence for scoring by content specialists. The Micro-Credentials awarded by ELN provide not only a rigorous, double-blind review process but also deliver a digital badge based on the industry’s Open Badging technical specifications, providing tangible evidence of the earner's growth and/or skill in a specific area.
In Illinois, earners may elect professional development hours or Administrator Academy credit upon successful completion of a Micro-Credential. Earned Micro-Credentials are displayed on the Illinois Professional Educators License under the "Additional Credentials" section.
In other states, Micro-Credentials offer earners options for earning professional development credit and/or an alternative pathway to licensure renewal.
The ELN’s collection of Micro-Credentials currently includes skill assessments aligned to the 21 Leadership Dimensions under the 3 Domains of the School Leader Paradigm. The full library of Micro-Credentials available on the Ed Leaders Network can be found below. Clicking on the Micro-Credential listed below will take you to the Ed Leaders Network website where you can learn more about the Micro-Credential program including how to register. After registering for a Micro-Credential you will complete your work within the ELN Micro-Credential Portal. Visit the Ed Leaders Network to learn more about Micro-Credentials, and direct any questions you may have about Micro-Credentials to support@ilprincipals.org.
ELN Micro-Credential Endorsements
- ISBE – All 58 Micro-Credentials have been evaluated and endorsed by the Illinois State Board of Education and approved to become part of an educator’s professional licensure. Once a Micro-Credential is complete, Ed Leaders Network will notify ISBE and the educator will see the earned badge listed on their Professional Educator License. In addition, the Micro-Credentials are worth 20 hours of professional development credit or Administrator Academy credit. Click here to learn more.
- EdBridge -The Illinois Principals Association (IPA) engaged edBridge Partners, LLC to conduct a review and evaluation of a set of Micro-Credentials developed for IPA by the Ed Leaders Network (ELN) for endorsement of rigor; and for their alignment to the Building Ranks Framework for Effective School Leaders, developed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP). edBridge Partners has extensive experience in managing and reviewing the creation and implementation of Micro-Credential and digital badging programs in both K-12 and higher education. This report describes the review process and methodology, the findings for endorsement for rigor and alignment to the Building Ranks framework. Click here to view the full report.
- NASSP – All 58 Micro-Credentials reviewed against the rubric were scored as “Fully Meeting the Criteria for Endorsement”. Both reviewers agreed in their evaluation of each Micro-Credential. Accordingly, NASSP is pleased to enthusiastically endorse the 58 Micro-Credentials presented and reviewed. Click here to view the complete letter of endorsement.
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