About Micro-Credentials

“There is a revolution in personalized, professional learning on the horizon for educational leaders.”– Dr. Susan Homes, Deputy Executive Director for Professional Learning, Illinois Principals Association

Micro-Credentials are a new and exciting way to show off your core educational competencies! This personalized learning opportunity allows you to utilize your existing knowledge and experience, along with provided learning resources, to earn a digital badge that demonstrates your mastery of a specific skill. Watch the videos below to learn more.

What is a Micro-Credential?

What is the Value in Earning a Micro-Credential?

What is the Process for Earning a Micro-Credential?

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 in the state of Illinois. 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.
Go to Micro-Credential Library
The Micro-Credentials are very easy to navigate, practical to day-to-day operations of a school building and extremely informative. I highly recommend Micro-Credentials as a means for growing your professional knowledge in school leadership.
James Robinette
Director of Human Resources and Public Relations, Country Club Hills School District 160
My participation in the Ed Leaders Network Micro-Credential program has been a positive experience. This program has been helpful in professional development as well as identifying areas where I need to grow as an administrator.
Aaron Murphy
Principal, South Nodaway
The Micro-Credential process has been a positive one. The website is easy to use, the feedback is immediate and specific, and the ability to renew my certification with this process is a game-changer.
Susan B. Herrera
Principal, Truman Elementary School
Ed Leaders Network Micro-Credential was of great professional value. It allowed me to work at my own pace and required personal reflection on my leadership style. It greatly improved my professional development planning with my teachers.
Rachel Fischbaugh
Principal, Hartwood Elementary School
I was fortunate enough to be able to use the Micro-Credentials to renew my administrator certification. The Micro-Credentials allowed me a systematic way to review, reflect and continue to develop myself as a leader. The Ed Networks Micro-Credentials are set up in an easy to use system and you are provided with quick feedback to help you continue to grow.
Melissa Armbruster
Principal, Stone Creek Elementary, Wentzville, MO
Micro-Credentials exemplify everything that learning and proficiency measurement should be. I was able to learn, grow, and demonstrate my skills at a pace conducive to my schedule and receive a documented credential to confirm my skill level. I thoroughly enjoyed the process.
Phillip Caposey
Superintendent, Meridian CUSD 223

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Micro-Credential?

  • A Micro-Credential is not a course. It is an online, on-demand way to earn a badge that demonstrates your competency. The process includes submitting artifacts to be evaluated by an assessor in order to earn a sharable badge that you can use in your resumé, email signature as well as social networks.
  • A Micro-Credential is a career-building opportunity. Micro-Credentials evidence your career skills and growth in a tangible, highly-visible way. Completing a Micro-Credential could potentially lead to salary advancement or help you stand out in a pool of job candidates. You can also earn professional development credit toward your licensure requirements.
  • Micro-Credentials are scalable learning opportunities. You can continue to add more credentials to your resume over time to demonstrate new skills and increase your marketability!

What Makes Micro-Credentials Unique?

  • On-Demand – Micro-Credentials do not require attendance at an in-person or online seminar on any specific date. You can complete them on your schedule and still earn professional development clock hours.
  • Skill-Based – Micro-Credentials require you to evidence your mastery of a specific skill, such as the tax levy. An assessor will evaluate your competency in order for you to earn the credential.
  • Shareable – The digital badge you receive upon completion can be added to your paper resume or online profiles and link to a page that describes what that Micro-Credential entails.

How the Micro-Credential Process Works

  • Select a Micro-Credential – Earn a Micro-Credential for something you already know, or use the credential process as a chance to grow your skillset.
  • Demonstrate Your Competency – Review the Micro-Credential document to find the learning outcomes and what evidences you will need to submit. When you are ready, submit your required artifacts for assessment.
  • Share Your Skill – Upon successful completion and evaluation by an assessor, earn a digital badge that you can add to your physical portfolio, email signature or social networks.

Get started by reviewing the Micro-Credential Library.

Go to Micro-Credential Library