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Wyoming micro‑credential pilots expand for teachers and students in computer science
Summary
DWS and education partners reported growth in teacher micro‑credentialing for computer‑science endorsements (133 teachers in pilot; 24 completed all 17 teacher micro‑credentials) and early student pilots showing positive engagement but a need for credit incentives to boost completion.
Dr. Laurel Ballard briefed the Council on statewide micro‑credential pilots to help teachers and students demonstrate competency in computer‑science standards.
Dr. Ballard said teacher participation has expanded from about 40 in early pilots to 133 teachers now enrolled; 56 teachers have earned at least one micro‑credential and 24 have completed all 17 teacher micro‑credentials, enabling them to qualify for a computer‑science endorsement pathway that the Professional Teaching Standards Board approved as an alternative route.
Student pilots remain limited but promising: pilot classrooms in Green River and expanding participation in Evanston and Wind River have produced positive engagement scores. Dr. Ballard said student results are improving but that incentives (postsecondary credit, digital‑wallet recognition) will be important to drive broader participation and repeated submission/resubmission behavior that raises mastery.
DWS is partnering on a digital‑wallet initiative to store credentials and allow learners to share verified skills with employers. The Council heard that the department is coordinating with the University of Wyoming and community colleges to explore granting postsecondary credit for stacked micro‑credentials.
Next steps: continue pilots, expand teacher and student participation, finalize digital wallet integration and pursue credit pathways that make the credentials more valuable to students.
