Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialling of Skill Attainment - Texas’ Framework for Skill Standards

Table of Contents



Texas Skill Standards Board
1100 San Jacinto, Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 936 8100
www.tssb.org
Publication Date: Amended November 12, 2002

Permission is granted to copy, reproduce, distribute, download and display Texas Skill Standards Board materials in this document for training, education and workforce development purposes provided that the materials are not modified in any way and that acknowledgment is given to the Board. Permission to copy, reproduce, and distribute materials in this document, of copyright owners other than the Texas Skill Standards Board, for any purpose is specifically limited by the copyright of those materials.

Published by the Texas Skill Standards Board
1100 San Jacinto, Suite 100
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 936 8100
www.tssb.org


Texas Skill Standards Board
Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialling of Skill Attainment

PREFACE

About These Guidelines

Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialling of Skill Attainment is designed for education and training providers, employers, industry groups, state agencies and anyone interested in implementing and using skill standards for education and training purposes. In these Guidelines, the TSSB provides policies and guidance regarding the usage of skill standards in Texas for curriculum development, assessment and certification of workforce skills. The TSSB does not endorse the use of skill standards for purposes other than education, training and career information.

Using skill standards as a starting point to derive a credential that specifies to an employer what skills and knowledge an individual has attained involves a three-step process: 1) translating skill standards into curriculum; 2) assessing individuals’ knowledge and skill level acquisition; and 3) documenting that skill attainment. These Guidelines do not prescribe a particular way to accomplish this objective. Rather, the TSSB, in its system-building role, suggests options and references for conducting this process.

About the Texas Skill Standards Board

Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialling of Skill Attainment is published by the Texas Skill Standards Board (TSSB). The TSSB is a voluntary body composed of business and industry, labor and education members, with industry representing the majority. The TSSB was established by the Texas Legislature in 1995 to advise on the development of a statewide system of industry-defined and industry-recognized skill standards. The ultimate goal of the Texas skill standards system is to assist the growth of the Texas economy through the recognition of skill standards and skill attainment to support workforce development efforts.

To Reach the TSSB

On the Web: www.tssb.org
By E-mail:     tssb@io.com
By Phone:     512/936-8100
By Fax:         512/936-8118
By Mail:        Texas Skill Standards Board
                     P.O. Box 2241
                    Austin, TX 78768-2241



TABLE OF CONTENTS

Texas Skill Standards Board Guidelines for the Certification and Credentialling of Skill Attainment

INTRODUCTION

  • Development and Recognition of Skill Standards
  • Facilitation of Skill Standards Usage
  • System Vision: Texas Skill Standards Infrastructure
  • Purpose and Scope of Guidelines
  • Relationship with Existing Occupational Certification Systems

  • --State Licensed or Regulated Occupations
    --Voluntary Industry-Based Certifications
POLICIES AND GUIDANCE
  • Usage of Skill Standards to Guide Curriculum Development

  • --Skill Standards-to-Curricula Linkages
  • Assessment

  • -- What It Is
    -- National Developments
    -- Texas Approach and Scope
    -- What is Measured and How
    -- Linking with Third-Party Assessment Systems
  • Skill Attainment Documentation

  • -- Certification and Credentialling
    -- Levels of Credentials
    -- Portability of Credentials
    -- National Alignment
    -- Mutual Recognition between States
  • Program Recognition