The Bell 500 gives us the opportunity to share thoughts on a wide range of educational topics from global contributors and gives you the opportunity to read 500 words to motivate your mind. It's quick, it’s focused and it’s always topical.
Credential Evaluation – what is it and why is it important?
Credential evaluation is the process of comparing qualifications earned or awarded in one country with those earned in another country. At the most basic level, credential evaluation seeks to assign a “value” to qualifications in a country other than the country in which they were earned or awarded. Let’s take a more practical explanation just to make sure there is a clear understanding. Say I hold a Master’s degree which was awarded by the University of Cambridge (UK) but I want to work for an American-based employer. What is the value of my (UK) Master’s degree in America? I would use a credential evaluation professional to provide an opinion and a report.
Staying Ahead of the Curve: Navigating the Ever-Changing Landscape of Credential Evaluation
Keeping up-to-date with advancements in technology, pedagogical approaches, and emerging academic disciplines is crucial for credential evaluators. Regular updates, training, incorporating new research, methodologies, new verification methods, and best practices are essential for maintaining fairness, accuracy, efficiency, productivity, and overall quality in the assessment process.
Origin Stories
One of my favourite questions to ask my colleagues is what led them to their current career and how they got their start in the field of international education. I have yet to hear the same story twice, but one answer is almost always the same: they had no idea this type of job existed until they fell into it – and once they did, they were hooked. Another common thread that ties these tales is a culturally significant experience – a story of immigration, language acquisition, student exchange or travel. Something that broke a barrier or pushed a comfort zone and sparked curiosity, empathy, and a deep sense of being a minute part of a much larger and beautifully complex world.