Contribution: This work provides evidence of various approaches to studying longitudinal student unit record data in undergraduate education in the USA and the outcomes that can be realized using a large multi-institutional longitudinal dataset, Multiple-Institution Database for Investigating Longitudinal Development (MIDFIELD). Background:…

Student records, and specifically academic transcripts, are the traditional record of a student's completed coursework and their earned credential at an educational institution. Transcripts can serve as proof and a signal to potential employers and other educational institutions that a student has engaged in certain learning activities and…

In this digital age, how do institutions know what documents to accept and from whom? This year's school closures, distance learning, online education, and other upheavals have made it even more critical for institutions to ensure that they are accepting official academic records from valid sources. Typically, receiving official documents…

The Comprehensive Learner Record (CLR)--defined as a verifiable, portable, interoperable digital asset that recognizes all learning--is currently a topic of interest in the postsecondary and workplace ecosystem. The Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) and The EvoLLLution conducted a survey of CAEL higher education members and The…

Historical credentialing and credit documentation processes, such as transcripts and degrees, only capture skills acquired through traditional in-school experiences. This infrastructure impedes access to education and workforce opportunities for historically and systematically excluded communities by inadequately representing skills gathered…

At least 46 states have set postsecondary attainment goals to improve the educational opportunities and livelihoods of their citizens and to meet workforce demands in a changing labor market. While the data is still emerging, the widespread use of administrative holds by postsecondary institutions may be undermining state education and workforce…

The most important step in evaluating documents for international student admissions is ensuring the authenticity of educational credentials. This article shares the practices and experiences of World Education Services (WES) in obtaining valid international academic credentials. Since WES published "Forged Educational Credentials: A Sorry…

This study discusses innovations in digital credentialing, namely the Elon Visual EXP, and the broader implications of documenting student experiences in co-curricular, high-impact practices. Following a similar survey of employer observations of the new transcript, a survey was sent to all undergraduates of Elon University to assess their overall…

Data use is becoming a prominent strategy for educational innovation and improvement across countries. However, the fragmentation of data collection often hinders the capacity of policymakers, researchers and practitioners to access and analyse the wealth of data routinely generated in educational institutions. A critical step towards realising…

International trends for pre-registration nurse education at degree level alongside "widening access" initiatives mean that academic achievement of students entering via different educational routes is of interest to both higher and further education institutions. This article examines the academic achievement of students undertaking a…

This article compares charter schools and other public schools in New York State. School Report Card (SRC) data measuring student, teacher, and school characteristics from the state's 16 urban school districts with charter schools were examined. Descriptive and multivariate analysis was used. The findings suggest that there are more similarities…

Despite a major expansion in the number of students in higher education, students from rural areas continue to be underrepresented at selective universities. To reduce the urban-rural imbalance of entry to selective universities, institutions in many countries of the world have implemented admission policies favoring rural students. Previous…

The analysis of longitudinal data in education is becoming more prevalent given the nature of testing systems constructed for No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). However, constructing the longitudinal data files remains a significant challenge. Students move into new schools, but in many cases the unique identifiers (ID) that should remain constant…

This report seeks official endorsement from Universities UK and GuildHE for the Higher Education Achievement Report (HEAR) to be adopted sector-wide for students entering higher education in academic year 2012-13. Following extensive trialling and detailed consideration, the report clearly outlines the HEAR and the additional information it…

This article presents the Top 100 institutions that conferred the most bachelor's degrees to students of color in academic year 2010-2011. The data for this analysis are collected from all U.S. postsecondary institutions through the completions survey of the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) maintained by the National Center…