January 2026
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Volume 26, No. 1
Demonstrating Skills of Value
State education leaders have prioritized making sure that the students who graduate from their high schools are prepared for success in life. How do students know they are gaining valuable skills and competencies they can apply and strengthen in careers and postsecondary education? How do they demonstrate they have acquired these skills, and how will employers and colleges value their attainments?
Articles
The Role of State Boards in Making Credentials’ Value Transparent
By Scott CheneyNot all credentials are created equal, so how will students and families choose?
Weighing the Value of Industry-Based Certifications against Their Costs
By Madison E. Andrews, Kaitlin Ogden and Matt S. GianiA study of Texas’s move to offer bonuses and add accountability measures for attainment reveals some unintended consequences.
Remaking Transcripts to Better Reflect Students’ Competencies
By Celina Pierrottet and Jon AlfuthState boards wanting to capture student mastery in new ways have many considerations to take into account.
Turning Graduate Portraits into Pathways
By Laura SloverNorth Carolina and Indiana are leading in the push toward teaching and assessing durable skills.
Deskilling the Knowledge Economy: Implications for Schools
By Brent OrrellTo foster students’ entry into the workforce, their schools will need to equip them with AI-complementary skills.
Opinion
Getting Postsecondary Outcomes Data to K-12 Leaders
By Bill DeBaunMany education systems are not set up to give leaders and staff the information they need to ensure they are preparing students for their next steps.

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