Student Credentials

During a Student Credentials Affinity Group meeting, Dr. Kate Strater, Calvin University, shared her journey through the university credential approval process. Kate’s work included not only starting a new inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) program for 20 students at Calvin, but the realignment of established processes to CTP guidelines. While every IPSE program is unique, Dr. Strater outlined the governance process in establishing a new credential. 

One of the primary goals for students attending IPSE programs is authentic, competitive employment experiences, and research shows that students with some IPSE experience have better outcomes in securing employment. What has come into focus recently, is that just getting a job is not enough. It is becoming more important that students have access to industry recognized credentials through their IPSE programs so that they can get better jobs, with better pay.

This channel features video resources and recorded webinars on topics related to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disability, produced by Think College National Coordinating Center. Topics include academic support, credentials, campus housing, family engagement, program development, and more. 

This resource shares the pathway (course of study) for each of 6 different credentials offered by the Tallahassee Community College EAGLES program.

The attached is a description of Aggie ACHIEVE including goals, course requirements and offerings, employment goals, and more.

Researchers explored 11 of Florida’s inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs for individuals with intellectual disability (ID), during the 2016 and 2017 academic years. The researchers sought to explore, the nature of academic access as well as the programs of study available to students with ID within Florida’s IPSE programs. Researchers found the majority (73%; n=8) of IPSE programs in this study (n=11) housed at three universities, three community and state colleges, and two career technical colleges.

The resources listed here include reports, briefs, peer-reviewed journal articles, and federal guidance on the topic of credentials. As knowledge about credentials available to students with ID continues to develop, it is important to consider the context of the credential landscape nationally. This annotated bibliography offers a summary of information and insights that can be drawn from existing credential resources.

The Florida Consortium on Inclusive Higher Education developed the IPSE Credential Guidance Brief Series as a set of six stand-alone briefs to guide inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) faculty, program staff, and secondary educators in the development of an IPSE credential and the supporting program of study. Families and students should find the first four briefs the most informative regarding what to look for in an IPSE credential and the program of study when exploring colleges. Titles of briefs in the series: 1. Background on Inclusive Postsecondary Education 2.

If states want to build an inclusive economy where all workers and all businesses have the skills they need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing global marketplace, everyone must work together to expand access to and attainment of degrees and credentials of value.