Credential Application

Schools seeking to earn a new credential or to renew an existing credential:

  • The credential application window for 2025-26 closes on October 31, 2025.

    • Make a copy of your application using the link below. Collaborate with your school’s EL Education coach and submit to credential@eleducation.org before October 31.

    • All applicants will be notified by November 21, 2025 on whether they are accepted into the 2025-26 credential cohort.

  • Reach out the credential team with questions about the process at any time.

Review the 2025-26 Criteria

Review eligibility benchmarks & criteria for earning the credential across Three Dimensions of Student Achievement

Review the 2025-26 MKS Worksheet

See whether your school’s assessment data qualifies in the Mastery of Knowledge & Skills dimension.

You will be asked to submit your school’s completed worksheet in the application form.

Download the 2025-26 Application

Make a copy of the 2025-26 Credential Application for your school to draft and submit.

Credential Annual Cycle

  1. Consider Readiness (June - Oct)

Review the eligibility criteria to see if you are eligible to apply. Review your school data in each Dimension against credential criteria. Confer with your school designer/coach to support your data review. The credential team is also here to support you with resources, office hours, and for 1:1 conversations around specific questions.

2. Credential Application (Sep - Oct)

Collaborate with your school team and EL Coach to submit an application. Provide evidence of impact in the three dimensions, demonstrating your school’s readiness for either a Renewal Presentation or Site Visit.  

3. Begin Planning (Nov - Feb)

By the end of November, learn whether your school has been accepted into this year’s credential cohort. Collaborate with your school’s coach, director, and the credential team to schedule and begin planning your site visit or renewal presentation.

4. Host a Site Visit or Renewal Presentation (Feb - May)

Tell your story in Three Dimensions of Student Achievement, through a 2-day in person site visit for new applicants or a 3-hour virtual presentation for renewing applicants, and through the submission of data your school collects to track progress towards impact in Character, High-Quality Work, and Mastery of Knowledge and Skills.

5. Decisions & Continuous Improvement (May -June)

At the end of the process, receive a final decision and detailed feedback from EL team. Celebrate your community’s achievements and implement feedback gathered through the process.

Schools may emerge from this process earning the Credential or a Pathway Credential in one or two Dimensions. It is also possible that a school emerges not yet ready to earn a Credential. In any case, EL Education will provide detailed feedback and ongoing support for continuous improvement work.