Micro-credentials

Demonstrate your next level skills with Illinois ASBO micro-credentials. Capitalize on the industry trend of competency-based learning,
while providing another means to earn PD clock hours.

A Micro-credential is not a course. It is an online, on-demand way to earn a badge that demonstrates your competency. 

What is a Micro-Credential?

Micro-credentials are a way to show off your core school business competencies. This personalized learning opportunity allows you to utilize your existing knowledge and experience, along with provided learning resources, to earn a digital badge that demonstrates your mastery of a specific skill.

  • A Micro-credential is not a course. It is an online, on-demand way to earn a badge that demonstrates your competency. The process includes submitting some evidences to be evaluated by an assessor in order to earn a sharable badge that you can use in your paper and online portfolios, email signature as well as social networks.

  • A Micro-credential is a career-building opportunity.  Micro-credentials evidence your career skills and growth in a tangible, highly-visible way. Completing a micro-credential could potentially lead to salary advancement or help you stand out in a pool of job candidates. You can also earn professional development credit toward your licensure requirements.

  • Micro-credentials are scalable learning opportunities. You can continue to add more credentials to your resume over time to demonstrate new skills and increase your marketability.

What Makes Micro-Credentials Unique

On-Demand

Micro-credentials do not require attendance at an in-person or online seminar on any specific date. You can complete them on your schedule and still earn professional development clock hours.

Skill-Based

Micro-credentials require you to evidence your mastery of a specific skill, such as the tax levy. An assessor will evaluate your competency in order for you to earn the credential.

Sharable

The digital badge you receive upon completion can be added to your paper resume or online profiles and link to a page that describes what that micro-credential entails. 

Available Micro-credentials

Illinois ASBO is excited to introduce a new way to demonstrate your next level skills! Illinois ASBO micro-credentials capitalize on the industry trend of competency-based learning, while providing another means to earn PD clock hours.

Tax Levy Process

Tax Levy Process is a standalone micro-credential in a series of MCs offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO). The Tax Levy Process micro-credential requires the practitioner confirm competencies and demonstrate the skills necessary to implement the tools, terminology, and processes to facilitate a realistic, effective, and efficient tax levy process. These skills will include the ability to analyze the variables necessary to complete a tax levy with a full understanding of all technical and applicable vocabulary; prepare required levy calculations, written documents, forms, communications, and presentation materials; and present the entire levy information verbally to a governing board and include all required documents for final filing to the tax collection agency approved by the governing board.

The required skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

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Managing the Payroll Process

Managing the Payroll Process is a standalone micro-credential in a series of micro-credentials offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO). The Managing the Payroll Process micro-credential requires the practitioner confirm competencies and demonstrate a detailed understanding of each step in the payroll process and how to utilize a payroll software system. The practitioner will confidently have the skills to prepare all components of payroll, including configuring, processing and reporting payroll, which are key components for all who work in the payroll office.

The required skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

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Managing the Budget Cycle

Managing the Budget Cycle is a standalone micro-credential in a series of MCs offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO). The Managing the Budget Cycle micro-credential requires the practitioner confirm competencies and demonstrate a detailed understanding of budget management as it relates to the revenue streams, expenditures, cash flow, and communication. The practitioner will confidently have the skills to understand and create functional timelines and tasks for the budget cycle, which are key components for all who work with school finance.

The required skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

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Leading for Health, Life, Safety

Leading for Health, Life, Safety – Annual Life Safety Study is a standalone micro-credential in a series of micro-credentials offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials. The educational leader must be able to identify all components needed for a successful HLS (Health Life Safety) annual study inspection that is done by the “Regional Office of Education” (ROE) for each county in the State of Illinois. The three key components of the HLS annual inspection are: the pre-inspection reports and documentation; the walk-through component and documentation of the inspection; and the remediation of violations found during the inspection. All three components fit into the goal of providing a safe learning environment for students, staff, and the community. This micro-credential confirms the competencies of knowing all factors in each component and how to successfully complete the inspection process with the Regional Office of Education which works directly with the Illinois State Board of Education.

The skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

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Legal Aspects of Collective Bargaining

Legal Aspects of Collective Bargaining is a standalone micro-credential in a series of micro-credentials offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials. Practitioners (superintendent, assistant superintendent, business manager and support staff assigned to prepare for collective bargaining) will engage in the processes necessary to prepare for Collective Bargaining, and this micro-credential confirms the competencies of knowing all factors necessary for Collective Bargaining. The individual who receives the Legal Aspects of Collective Bargaining micro-credential will be able to compare, contrast and evaluate the components of a collective bargaining agreement, assemble a bargaining team, prioritize desired outcomes and benchmark data with comparable districts.

The required skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

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Negotiating a Base Salary Schedule

Negotiating a Base Salary Schedule is a standalone micro-credential in a series of MCs offered by Illinois Association of School Business Officials (Illinois ASBO). The Negotiating a Base Salary Schedule micro-credential requires the practitioner confirm competencies and demonstrate a detailed understanding of a district’s current salary schedule as it relates to the marketplace, cost to the district and teacher career salary patterns. The practitioner will confidently have the necessary skills to negotiate “base salary” and alternatives to a traditional salary schedule as well as dual and/or elimination of salary schedules for a contract.  

The required skills are all supported by the International School Business Management Professional Standards which also are guidelines for the Illinois Association for School Business Officials.

Sign Up Today

How the Process Works

1. Select the credential.

Earn a micro-credential for something you already know, or use the credential process as a chance to grow your skillset.

2. Demonstrate your competency.

Review the micro-credential document to find the learning outcomes and what evidences you will need to submit. When you are ready, submit your required artifacts for assessment.

3. Share your skill.

Upon successful completion and evaluation by an assessor, earn a digital badge that you can add to your physical portfolio, email signature or social networks.

A Way to Validate My Specific Skills

"Participating in the tax levy micro-credential was a way for me to validate the specific skills and competencies I have gained through on-the-job learning and my experiences as a CSBO. The digital badge allows me to distinguish myself from others as it conveys evidence of knowledge about the tax levy system."

– Mary Werling, CSBO, SFO
Asst. Supt./Finance & Operations/CSBO
Community Consolidated School District 21