Stacking credentials can increase employment and wages for students and is a path to economic mobility, especially for lower-income students. A definition of stackability is the first step to understanding how stackable pathways can offer the best chance of opening doors to careers that enable economic independence. The state must take time to explore the opportunity so that students and Tennesseans can understand their options.
Key Takeaways
This memo offers readers an understanding of:
- The options for stackable credential opportunities that exist to further a student’s learning and eventual contribution to the workforce
- The questions about stackable credentials that Tennessee must explore more deeply to evaluate the impact of stacking on the state’s economy, employers, and residents
- The action Tennessee must take to define stackability and its impact so that students can choose stronger, more aligned pathways toward their career goals