Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

We strive to achieve excellent and equitable outcomes in the Three Dimensions of Student Achievement through a process of continuous improvement for equity with our school partners.
The EL Education Credential recognizes schools across the EL Education community that have attained remarkable student achievement results across all three dimensions of student achievement through deep implementation of the EL Education Core Practices.
We work with all types of partners in their journey towards the Credential through ongoing coaching, professional learning, continuous improvement work, and school and system transformation. In order to earn the Credential, schools must demonstrate strong implementation and outstanding outcomes in the Three Dimensions of Student Achievement.
The application for this year’s Credential will remain open until October 15, 2023.
The Credential is open and accessible to all EL Education partners. We support all partners in their pursuit of the whole-school model as described in the EL Education Core Practices.

General

The EL Education Credential is a recognition and honor that schools use to build support and celebration in their communities. The Credential can be leveraged in many ways depending on a school’s context.
Schools that are credentialed are eligible for a reduced minimum package of service under the assumption that they have built capacity to implement the model without as much direct support from EL Education.
Credentialed schools are eligible to attend our Credentialed School Leadership Institute (CSLI) which benefits schools through a cohort of driven and connected school leaders throughout the year and at this significant event.
Credentialed schools are eligible to apply for a site seminar -- showcasing their school to a national audience and providing an opportunity to earn revenue through this process.
Credentialed schools are eligible to serve a mentor term. This initiative allows schools to contribute time supporting newer-to-EL Education leaders, in exchange for a reduced-cost service package. We are redesigning the Mentor program and will have more information to share in January 2023.
Key information about the Credential can be found on this website.
Make time for further conversations between the school leader and EL Education staff to explore eligibility and the credentialing process.
Watch EL videos about the EL Education school model or visit a Credentialed school in your region.
View the timeline & upcoming Credential Events here
The Credential is valid for five years before renewal. Schools are expected to pursue renewal by the end of the five years.
The process is more involved for a school seeking the Credential for the first-time because of the two-day site visit. Renewing schools will present about their implementation and impact.
The organization piloted a new process for earning the Credential, including school site visits and revised the Credential throughout the pilot year to incorporate lessons learned from participating school partners.
Previously, the EL Education Credential was an “all or nothing” process in which schools must demonstrate expertise across three dimensions of student achievement; mastery of knowledge and skills, character, and high-quality student work.
Now, in addition, schools are held to a bar for rigorous and equitable impact while also recognized for their unique strengths as demonstrated through the site visit and renewal presentation.
Schools must renew their Credential after five years. The renewal process will expect schools to maintain the impact in three dimensions, as articulated by the credentialing criteria.
The EL Credential website details all of the data needed for the application process and for the final decision process (if a school is accepted).
Schools that are accepted into the Credentialing Cohort each year will have coordinated support from the Credentialing Team at EL aligned with the Partnership Director and School Coach.
Of course! EL Education will pursue and maintain many different types of partnerships. Yet, we highly encourage schools to strive to implement the full EL model as described in the Core Practices as we believe these practices will lead to equitable outcomes in all three dimensions of student achievement.
The EL Education School Credential expires after 5 years. Reach out to Peter Sherman and the Credential Team to discuss your school’s particular circumstances.

Eligibility

View all criteria for eligibility here.
Our experience is that most schools require 3-5 years to develop capacity and expertise to implement the Core Practices to a high degree of quality and to see the intended outcomes in the three dimensions.
The timelines vary for each partner and can depend on many factors such as: leadership, staff training and stability, community and stakeholder buy-in, and more.
No. The credentialing process is open only to schools that are currently contracted with EL Education. We welcome and encourage previously-credentialed schools to reestablish partnerships with us in order to renew Credentials..
The credentialing process is open only to schools that are currently contracted with EL Education.
The credentialed school packages are available for active and currently credentialed schools. Schools that seek to renew their Credential may engage in the process.
If you are uncertain whether you meet the criteria for Credentialing, we encourage you to engage with your EL Education Coach & Director to reflect on the appropriate timeline for submitting the Credential application.
We encourage you to review the Credential Criteria document along with the application form for a complete sense of the many ways you might demonstrate impact in each Dimension.

Application Process

What is involved in applying for the credential is integrally connected to the work that the school is already doing with the school’s coach to further implement and strengthen implementation and impact of the EL model. There will be additional meetings and preparation specific to the credential process as well, but it’s all connected to the core work of the school.
No. EL Education will select a set of schools that meet the eligibility criteria and which are ready for a site visit and thus will accept a limited number of schools seeking the Credential for the first time into the cohort.
The final decisions about the Credential will be made by a committee of people representing the partnership and the research teams.
Schools must agree to use at least 4 of their direct service days to have the support of their coach in the credential process. These days might include supporting their gathering of credentialing evidence, curating evidence of impact and supporting the set up of the site visit. Likewise, two of these days should be designated for the site visit process as direct service days. The revised credentialing process provides in-depth feedback about the equitable impact through implementation of the model and is a valuable service to the school’s continuous improvement efforts.
EL Education will collaboratively schedule the presentations with the school between February and the end of April 2023
No. IR scores from last year will be used to determine eligibility for the Credential.
Student grades are not a direct measure in the credentialing process, however trends and growth in student grades may be an important piece of the school’s narrative of Mastery of Knowledge and Skills and High Quality Work.
Learn more about the site visit here.
EL Education will provide suggested schedules and agendas in advance to plan for: classroom observations, focus groups with teachers, students, families, and time with leadership.
EL Education will provide written affirming and constructive feedback within two weeks of the site visit.
Learn more about the renewal presentations here.
EL Education will provide a suggested agenda in order to focus on implementation and impact of the EL model
EL Education will provide written affirming and constructive feedback within two weeks of the presentation
Yes! We encourage schools to engage students as much as possible in this process. Focus groups will be also held with students as a component of the site visit.
3 hours. The presentation will have a hybrid modality, with some folks present in-person and others online.
Yes! Read more about the Credential Renewal Presentations here.

For MKS, there are options to submit state assessment or interim assessment data. In either case, schools must submit disaggregated data for students qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch (FRL), and students who identify as Black, Latino/a, and/or Indigenous.
If schools do not meet eligibility criteria with these data because of inconsistent data, they may make a case that demonstrates their growth. In this case, schools will also have to meet the “Beating the Odds” analysis described in the criteria guidelines.
The redesigned Credential describes specific data that will be considered in the application and decision process. The application will contain methods for submitting the needed data. There is an option in the MKS dimension for schools to ‘make a case’ - please see the application and criteria documents for specifics.
We made the decision not to create distinct measurement criteria for equity, but rather to weave it into the credentialing criteria for each dimension. Our criteria require schools to disaggregate data in order to demonstrate equity in implementation and impact.
Yes. In order to be eligible to apply for the Credential, a school must have an Implementation Review (IR) score of 90 or higher for at least one year.
The IR is a tool that measures the level of implementation of the EL Core Practices. The IR is facilitated by the EL coach and experienced with a school staff. We encourage any partner to utilize the IR process to identify areas of strength and areas for continued improvement.
While a school is developing its implementation of the Core Practices, they may use the whole IR to provide formative information or they may select portions of the IR targeting their priority areas.
In order to be considered for the Credential, the full IR must be used.
Schools need to meet eligibility requirements in order to apply for the Credential. We encourage all partners to understand the Credential and to work towards the implementation and impact that it reflects.
Absolutely! The MKS worksheet is available for download within the application, and can also be downloaded at this link. Please note that MKS is just one of three equally weighted Dimensions of Student Achievement that schools will have the opportunity to showcase through this process.
For the purposes of data collection, EL Education typically defines disability as students with an IEP, but if your school/district/state uses a different definition that is absolutely okay! Just be sure to note what you mean by “students with disability” in the MKS worksheet.
The MKS worksheet will be submitted with the application – open until January 4, 2022.
We understand that there are gaps in data from the pandemic. If there is not sufficient or complete data to demonstrate the criteria in achievement or growth, we encourage schools to analyze and share interim assessment data
Yes. Each school must complete and submit our MKS worksheet with the application. This worksheet is available in the application form.

Gathering Data for the Credential

Not necessarily. In order to earn an EL Credential, a school must demonstrate implementation in the EL Core Practices and equitable impact in all three dimensions of student achievement.
The Pathway Credential is an EL Credential and signals excellence in impact in one or two dimensions. We are not considering these schools to be “partially” credentialed.
Yes, Pathway credentialed schools are considered to hold the EL Credential and will be included in all benefits and opportunities associated with credentialed schools.
Yes. Pathway credential schools may apply to run a site seminar to highlight the dimensions in which they are credentialed.
Yes. We are redesigning the Mentor program and will provide guidance for the mentor program by January 3, 2023
The Credential application process is for schools that can demonstrate impact in all Three Dimensions of Student Achievement. It is possible that a school emerges from the credentialing process meeting the criteria in only one or two of the Dimensions, however this is not the goal of the process. If this occurs, it is possible for a school to earn a Pathway Credential as a recognition of impact in one or two Dimensions. In this case, it is expected that the school be fully committed to fulfilling the remaining Dimension(s) witing three years. EL Education will work with these schools to support their continuous improvement work.
No. Schools may apply for the Credential only if they believe that they are demonstrating impact in all three dimensions.
Both the Pathway and Provisional Credentials are valid for three years.
Schools are expected to continue to pursue the criteria in any dimension not met and may engage in the annual process of submitting data to meet the criteria.
Schools with the pathway or provisional credential will be expected to earn the EL Credential within three years.
Peter’s team will support each of the schools with the Pathway Credential to identify and prioritize next steps.
For schools that have already received a credential in one or two dimensions, the process will be focused on demonstrating impact in the remaining dimension(s), such as providing additional data points. EL Education will align supports for these schools on their pathway towards the credential in all three dimensions. These schools will have the opportunity during the application window to signal that they are ready to ‘make the case’ for the targeted dimension(s).
Schools may apply again for the Credential whenever they feel they are ready. If your school feels prepared, we encourage you to submit your application for the full Credential this cycle.

Pathway & Provisional Credentials

Additional Resources

Explore other pages on this website to learn more about the Credential program and application process. View a slide deck overview of the Credential below:

Overview Deck

Frequently Asked Questions

Overview

Why

What

How

When

Who

General

Why pursue an EL Credential?

Our school is interested in credentialing. How can we find out more information about the process?

What is the timeline for the Credential process this year?

How long does a Credential last? What happens at the end of that term?

How does the process differ between schools seeking the Credential for the first-time and renewing schools?

How is this Credential process new from the last version of credentialing?

How does the credentialing process guide already-credentialed schools to maintain quality going forward into the future?

What data does a school need to collect during the cycle of the year in order to get ready for credentialing down the road?

How will EL support schools pursuing the Credential?

My school is not interested in pursuing the Credential at this time. Can we continue to partner with EL?

How long does a school have to renew their Credential? If the school isn’t ready to apply this year, how long can they wait to be re-credentialed?

Eligibility

Who is eligible for the Credential?

Our school just started with EL Education. How long should we expect it to take to become “credential-ready”?

Can a school that implements the EL model on their own (without a formal EL partnership) get credentialed?

What happens if a school ends their partnership with EL Education in the middle of their credentialed term? Do they lose their Credential?

If a school earns a Credential and they later do not or cannot renew their credential, what happens? Are they still eligible for a credentialed school package of services?

Should a school eliminate themselves if they knew they wouldn't meet criteria?

How do we demonstrate impact in each Dimension of Student Achievement?

Application Process

What is the time commitment for applying for the Credential?

Will all schools that apply be a part of the cohort and get a site visit this spring?

Who holds the final decision on credentialing schools?

How will pursuing the Credential affect our EL coach’s time at school?

Will renewing schools be able to select the timing of their presentation?

Will schools applying for the Credential have to accelerate our Implementation Review (IR)?

Are students' grades not accounted for during the application process?

What is involved in the site visit for first-time applicants? What will it look like?

What is involved in the presentation for renewing schools? What will it look like?

Can students be involved/speak in the panels?

How many hours are allocated for the renewal presentations?

Is there an example model to follow for presentations? Is there a reference for past presentations?

My school doesn’t have consistent data from the last few years due to the pandemic. How will this affect the credentialing process?

If our school has data that is not a part of the named acceptable data, can we use that data?

How do we measure equity work and movement among partners with vastly different demographics of students?

Do schools have to take the Implementation Review (IR) to get credentialed? What if they have never engaged in the IR before? Do they have to do it first or as a part of the process?

Do curriculum-based school partners take the same IR as those in the whole school model?

If our school is in a curriculum-based partnership and applies for the Credential, do we need to show outcomes for all subjects, or just literacy?

Can a school complete the MKS worksheet before the application to see where they fall?

How should we define and measure data for “Students with Disabilities”?

Is the MKS worksheet submitted in January?

Due to the pandemic, there are gaps in our state data which limit our ability to demonstrate Mastery of Knowledge and Skills. How should we approach this? Are there other measurements we can use beyond MAP and state testing?

Does each school have to pull their own disaggregated data?

Gathering Data for the Credential

Do schools that are implementing the curriculum get a Pathway Credential?

Is a Pathway Credential a partial Credential?

If a school receives a Pathway Credential, are they considered credentialed? Are they eligible for a credential package in pricing? Can they attend CSLI?

If a school is credentialed with a Pathway Credential, can they apply to run a site seminar?

If a school has a Pathway Credential, can they serve a mentor term as a mentor school?

Does the Pathway Credential water down what it means to be an EL school?

Can a school apply for a Pathway Credential if they are strong in one Dimension and then apply for another Pathway later and “collect all three” over time?

How long does a Pathway Credential last? What happens at the end of that term?

What is the timeline for achieving the full Credential if a school earns a provisional or pathway Credential?

Will school leaders with a Pathway Credential be notified about the required action plan?

If we go through the process and only earn a pathway Credential in one or two dimensions, what is the process for trying again to earn the full Credential? Is there a waiting period before reapplying?

Pathway & Provisional Credentials

Additional Resources

Other Questions?