Credit-for-learning programs

Giving students school credit for the learning they do outside the classroom opens new opportunities and paths for young people

Kids have dreams for their futures. Credit-for-learning afterschool programs help them achieve goals while earning credit for graduation. In this video, students and staff from two afterschool programs in Providence, Rhode Island, share how credit-for-learning is helping young people reach their full potential.

Want more? Check out this quick, half-minute video with highlights from credit-for-learning programs.

What does a credit-for-learning program look like? Successful credit-for-learning programs incorporate student voice and choice, often through strong community-school partnerships, areas in which afterschool and summer learning programs excel. From earning STEM credits in a boat-building class to learning the art of filmmaking from a local industry professional, youth are able to dive deeply into their interests and explore potential career paths, while earning credit towards graduation.

The resources in this toolkit will help you advocate for these opportunities with key policy makers at both the state and local level.

I want to get credit-for-learning policy adopted in my community or state

• Talking points — These talking points will help you raise awareness of credit-for-learning programs with your local community.
• Building a state campaign — A state campaign for credit-for-learning opportunities can help educate state policymakers and other key individuals about the benefits of these programs, resulting in laws or regulations that allow their implementation. This resource will walk you through elements of creating a successful state campaign.
• Credit for Learning: Making Learning Outside of School Count (November 2021) — Creating new and engaging learning opportunities for middle and high school students can help them find their inspiration, gain skills that will benefit them in and outside of the classroom, and play an active role in designing their own learning journey to reach their full potential. This issue brief, complemented by in-depth afterschool program profiles, explores the ways in which afterschool programs can provide older youth with opportunities to explore their interests and participate in activities that also allow them to earn credits toward their graduation requirements.
• Learn Everywhere Student Participation Maps — These participation maps from the Yes Every Kid Foundation can help parents, students, policymakers, and program providers view participation and eligible policies in their states.

I need to source funding for my credit-for-learning program

• Potential funding resources
  • Utilizing ESSER funds and other federal funding sources. List of potential federal and state funding sources.
• How to talk to funders
  • Resources for advocacy

I want to start a credit-for-learning program/expand my program's current offerings

• Start-Up Guide for Implementing Credit-for-Learning Programs
• Resources from established programs:
  • ExpandED
    • Documenting Off-Site Experiences for Credit — Slideshow with tips and best practices for providers
    • Work-Based Learning Framework — Matrix to help design programs build self awareness, self and social advocacy, relationship skills, and decision-making skills.
    • Elements of Work Based Learning Program Design — A worksheet that gives a deeper look at the work-based learning framework and includes a rubric for providers to use when designing their own program. This framework was created “using experiences and expertise of students, in-school and out-of-school work-based learning program educators, and intermediary organizations.”
  • Young Voices Rhode Island
    • Young Voices ACN: Your Voice, Your Power — An assessment rubric co-created by Youth Voice Rhode Island and PASA (Providence After School Alliance)
  • Youthforce NOLA
    • A sample email template that Youthforce NOLA uses to send to schools after a student completes a credit-for-learning program