Credential Project

North Carolina chose to offer a credential over a license or certificate for a number of reasons. First, obtaining a credential is not mandatory or legally required by the state. Local Basic Skills grantees, however, may set their own policies related to receipt of the Credential or accompanying pay incentives.

Second, the credential is field-based. It offers practitioners a variety of delivery systems by which they can explore their own professional development needs in whatever way they find most effective.

Third, obtaining a credential does not require the applicant to take a skills or knowledge test. The focus of the Credential is on building a knowledge and skills base that is directly transferred into documented, effective practice at exceeding levels of proficiency.

What state agency will award the Credential?

The Credential will be awarded by the Basic Skills Office of the North Carolina Community College System.

Who is eligible to earn a Credential?

Individuals who are listed as a teacher of record in LEIS are eligible to pursue the Credential.

Is a Credential mandatory or voluntary?

The State Basic Skills Office is not making receipt of an Instructor Credential a mandatory requirement. Decisions on the use of the Credential in the hiring process is a local decision.

What are the core content areas of the Credentials?

The core content areas include Adult Learning, Content, Assessment, Instruction, Technology, Professional Development and Growth, and Program Goals and Responsibilities. These content areas mirror the instructor standards developed by practitioners through the ABSPD Project.

How many levels of credentials will there be, and where would I start?

The credentialing process is being developed to reflect various levels of instructor proficiency and a pathway for professional development and growth. There will be four levels: Level 1 for new instructors, Levels 2 and 3 for more experienced instructors, and Level 4 for highly skilled instructors who demonstrate those skills through such venues as mentoring, conducting professional development for other instructors, and designing curriculum.

Guidance is being developed to help instructors determine the most appropriate credentialing level at which to begin.

What incentives will be offered for credentialed instructors?

Much of the incentive to undertake the credentialing process should be a genuine desire to improve practice as an educator and ultimately foster student success. As an instructor goes through the process and gains a North Carolina Basic Skills Instructor Credential, he/she will be recognized as a professional by the field of adult education. Instructors who undertake concentrated study in the field of adult education work to improve their practice, become more reflective about how and why they teach, and are often more focused on the need to improve student outcomes.

In addition, with adult education teaching experience and a North Carolina Instructor Credential in hand, instructors may find it easier to gain employment or move to full time positions in different programs across the state.

Local programs are encouraged to offer financial incentives to instructors who gain a Credential. Since there will be four levels of Credentials, each level might constitute an increasingly progressive financial incentive. Such decisions are left to the individual programs, however.

Does a Credential replace teacher certification?

The Basic Skills Instructor Credential does not replace the regular teacher certification process operated under the NC Department of Education.

When can I begin to work toward a Credential?

The current timeline calls for field testing of the Level 1 and 2 credentials during 2008 - 2009. Statewide release would begin in July, 2009. Levels 3 and 4 will be field tested in 2009 - 2010 with statewide release in July, 2010.

How long will it take to earn a Credential?

It is currently estimated that each level could be completed within a one - two year period. During the field-testing process, we will get a better idea on the necessary time commitment.

Will there be a credentialing fee?

This has not yet been determined. If a fee is incurred, it will be nominal.