Students face many difficulties when attempting to complete a 4-year college degree. Without a college degree, upward mobility is less likely for members of disadvantaged communities. There is little understanding among post-secondary educators about the role of certifications as an alternative to a bachelor's degree in obtaining upward economic…

Outdoor Education has evolved as a learning area in Western Australia over many years. In this paper we document historical elements of an investigation into the nature and scope of Outdoor Education in Western Australia. Previous investigations conducted by other researchers on the nature and scope of Outdoor Education focused on Victoria, South…

This study examines how performance-based funding (PBF) for public four-year institutions in the U.S. is associated with the production of short-term certificates. Results indicate that high-dosage PBF is associated with increases in both the number of short-term certificate programs offered and the number of short-term certificates awarded, even…

This article looks at the Intermediate Certificate examination on Irish history between 1926 and 1968. An investigation on how the official syllabus was examined is of equal merit, if not more important than the syllabus itself, being used as the official marker of a pupil's aptitude and awareness of Irish history. Furthermore, examination papers…

"Stackable" credentials offer opportunities for college students to start by earning short-term credentials in vocational and technical fields, then stack additional credentials as they progress in careers, building skills in the classroom and in the workforce. Stackable credentials come at a cost: colleges expend resources in developing…

This study aimed to understand the relationship between course activities and learning progress among students enrolled in the MicroMasters certificate program offered in an affordable MOOC-based learning platform. In order to capture the relationship, the differences between the engagement patterns of learners in the MicroMasters program compared…

A growing number of postsecondary institutions and systems have begun offering or scaling stackable credential programs. These structured education and training pathways--in fields such as health care, information technology, and manufacturing and engineering technology--provide individuals with opportunities to earn certificates, postsecondary…

Heightened awareness of the impacts of trauma and early life adversities has created a greater interest in the broader applications of trauma-informed practice. Trauma-informed practices in professional and educational organizations are increasingly seen as a critical aspect of equitable learning, creating a need for quality educational…

Psychological trauma is common in mental health, the recent pandemic, the ongoing social justice issues, and the sociopolitical environment add to an already high rate of trauma in the general population. The literature revealed a paucity of adequately trained trauma counselors across the mental health field. Many counseling programs do not offer…

Purpose: This qualitative study aims to provide insights and reflections of how the pandemic affected the identity and a sense of self of students, who completed undergraduate leadership learning academic program. Design/methodology/approach: Interviews. Findings: Findings of this study showed three major themes throughout the interviews. During…

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) have received significant global attention but face substantial criticism due to their low completion rates on mainstream platforms. The purpose of this study is to compare MOOC completion rates based on three different perspectives using four MOOCs provided by BilgeIs MOOC Portal. The completion rates based on…

In England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) has been for the last 35 years the most common qualification by which students' attainment at age 16 has been measured. The range and balance of processes by which the GCSEs' programmes of study have been assessed have varied over the decades, to include…

Community college professionals actively cultivate social justice within the U.S. system of higher education. We seek to meet the community wherever they and their skills are and provide the opportunities to take their knowledge and credentials to the next level. This can include offering incarcerated-based education. This work can be life…

This article details the context and design considerations for an online course accompanying a field-based practicum for a school librarian certification program at a regional university in Texas. These strategies could be helpful to other library science educators designing learning experiences that support fieldwork. We conclude by discussing…

This report examines the growing interest in expanding access to postsecondary education through non-degree certificate programs and associate degree programs. This policy report seeks to better understand the implications of these trends by analyzing employment experiences and earnings outcomes of individuals whose highest level of educational…