A closer look at stackable credential pipelines in Ohio
Jessica PoinerThe U.S. Department of Labor defines stackable credentials as a “sequence of credentials that can be accumulated over time.” Research indicates that they can lead to higher-paying jobs for students and improve talent pipelines for employers. Over the last few years, Ohio has become a national leader in developing stackable credential pipelines.
The Senate should say no to making driver’s licenses count as industry-recognized credentials
Jessica PoinerThe state budget has long been the primary vehicle for instituting sweeping education policy changes in Ohio. Amidst all the hustle and bustle and debate, it’s easy to forget that standalone bills are still being proposed. In fact, given the high stakes, it may even seem wise to focus solely on the budget.
Gadfly Bites 5/24/21—Perhaps they are referring to the party game?
Jeff MurrayThis headline, as with almost every legislation-related headline that includes it, misuses the term “limbo” in referencing the topic of education funding reform. (13ABC News, Toledo, 5/22/21)
How industry-recognized credentials are prioritized in Governor DeWine’s budget
Jessica PoinerImproving the technical skills of Ohioans to meet changing workforce demands has been a priority for Governor DeWine since taking office in 2019.
Do high school students’ motivations change over time?
Jeff MurrayKeeping high schoolers on track and motivated to complete academic work is a perennial worry, one of many such concerns that took on a new
Changing the currency of the job market: Moving up through skills rather than degrees
Jeff MurrayIn March 2020, a group of researchers and economists led by Peter Q. Blair of Harvard University published a working paper exploring the idea that on-the-job skills acquisition could be just as valuable as a bachelor’s degree, or more, in helping workers move up the career ladder to higher-wage work.
Ohio wisely presses pause on school accountability, and other recent policy developments
Jessica PoinerMost Ohioans likely didn’t notice the passage of House Bill 409 a few days prior to Christmas. That’s understandable, given the ongoing pandemic and the hustle and bustle of the holidays.
A look at states’ priorities under the newish federal career-technical education law
Jessica PoinerIt’s been over two years since the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act was signed into federal law with overwhelming bipartisan support. The law is a reauthorization of the Carl D.
A ground-level look at industry credentialing in Ohio
Jessica PoinerLast year, hundreds of business and industry leaders, educators, state policymakers, and advocates gathered in downtown Columbus for Aim Hire, a day-long conference focused on workforce development hosted
More Ohio students are earning industry-recognized credentials
Jessica PoinerIn the last decade, Ohio leaders have advocated for an increased focus on career and technical education.
Human visual perception in the virtual world
Jeff MurrayResearch has shown that the human visual system is generally better at processing information that’s oriented in the horizontal and vertical planes—that i
How states are measuring college and career readiness
Jessica PoinerOver the last few years, states have attempted to offer a clearer picture of how well high schools prepare students for the future by measuring college and career readiness (CCR), instead of just student achievement and graduation rates.
Why are graduation rates soaring?
Aaron ChurchillIn the least-anticipated release on record, Ohio published its annual school report cards in mid-September. Due to the cancellation of last spring’s state tests, there’s not much there, though the state did release graduation rates and data about students’ readiness for college and career.
Back to school? The effect of layoffs on postsecondary enrollment in Ohio
Jeff MurrayResearch has established—and common sense reinforces—that postsecondary
A call to action to increase educational attainment in Ohio
Aaron ChurchillThe pandemic has been a stark reminder of the importance of educational attainment in uncertain times.
Media statement on Complete to Compete attainment plan
Ohio Education GadflyToday, the Complete to Compete Ohio Coalition—a group of more than forty education, community, and business organizations—released a comprehensive action plan to increase the number of Ohioans who earn postsecondary cred
Ohio has assets to retool and reinvest in our people
Dave MoravecEditor’s Note: The Thomas B. Fordham Institute occasionally publishes guest commentaries on its blogs. The views expressed by guest authors do not necessarily reflect those of Fordham.
Stacks on stacks on stacks: More credentials, more money?
Jeff MurrayStackable credentials are coordinated pathways of two or more occupation-specific educational credentials—up to and including an associate degree—designed to share coursework and to build upon one another toward greater competency in a job field.
Broadening CTE to include middle schools
Jessica PoinerHigh-quality career and technical education (CTE), which teaches students both the academic and technical skills needed for a variety of in-demand careers, is a promising pathway for millions of young people.
The final tally: Three-year outcomes for the ASAP community college student support program
Jeff MurrayThe Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) began in the City University of New York (CUNY) system with the intent to comprehensively support students to persist and complete community college within three years.
Expanding and improving work-based learning in community colleges
Jessica PoinerWork-based learning (WBL) refers to career preparation and training that occurs within a job setting, connects to classroom and academic experiences, and involves supervision and mentoring.
Ohio’s blind spot: Young people’s workforce outcomes
Aaron ChurchillOhio, like many other states, has made college and career readiness a major priority.
What Ohio can learn from Delaware about workforce readiness
Jessica PoinerLast week, I wrote a piece about Pathways, a statewide program in Delaware that offers students the opportunity to complete a progra
Delaware’s Pathways program is a good example of how to get workforce development right
Jessica PoinerIn the last few years, a significant number of states have set attainment goals in an attempt to increase the number of adults with a postsecondary certificate, credential, or degree.
TechCred: An overview of Ohio’s promising new credential reimbursement program
Jessica Poiner2019 was a busy legislative year in the Buckeye State.
Ohio’s untapped potential for postsecondary attainment
Jessica PoinerIt’s early January, which means ‘tis the season to contemplate the previous year and make resolutions for the next.
Accelerating high flyers can yield long-term benefits
Aaron ChurchillAccording to a recent Hechinger Report article, U.S.
A closer look at Ohio’s independent STEM schools
Jessica PoinerIn response to technological innovations and a rapidly changing economy, schools across the nation have increasingly focused on offering curricula and programs centered around the principles of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
Is Ohio meeting its student achievement goals under ESSA?
Aaron ChurchillBack during the 2016–17 school year, Ohio was in the midst of creating its plan for meeting federal education requirements under the Every Stu