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From Research to Vision to Reality: A Blueprint toward a Learner-Centered Credit Mobility Ecosystem

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Title: From Research to Vision to Reality: A Blueprint toward a Learner-Centered Credit Mobility Ecosystem
Language: English
Authors: Wendy Kilgore, Ken Sharp, American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
Source: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). 2025.
Availability: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). One Dupont Circle NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-293-9161; Fax: 202-872-8857; e-mail: pubs@aacrao.org; Web site: http://www.aacrao.org
Peer Reviewed: N
Page Count: 43
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Student Mobility, Higher Education, Public Colleges, Academic Records, Barriers, College Administration, College Credits, Transfer Policy, Articulation (Education), Models, Student Centered Learning, Technology Uses in Education, Postsecondary Education, College Transfer Students
Geographic Terms: Texas
Abstract: Authored by Dr. Wendy Kilgore and Dr. Ken Sharp, this white paper examines the current state of credit mobility in higher education in the United States. Through analysis of survey data from 36 Texas public institutions and broader national research over the past decade, this paper demonstrates that core challenges are not technological gaps but rather fundamental operational deficiencies--institutions often manually process electronic transcripts despite automation capabilities, lack comprehensive articulation rules, have complex and opaque transferability versus applicability policies, and struggle to operate fragmented technology systems that have been built over time. The research shows that without fixing these foundational "nuts and bolts" issues, the credit mobility ecosystem cannot achieve holistic improvement. The authors present a strategic framework that prioritizes establishing strong operational foundations before pursuing advanced solutions, fostering collaborative ecosystems that support under-resourced institutions, and creating scalable implementation approaches. [Data about Texas institutions of higher education referenced in this White Paper were collected through a survey administered to all public higher-education institutions in Texas as a collaboration between the Texas Transfer Alliance, Educate Texas, the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) and the American Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).]
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Access URL: https://www.aacrao.org/research-publications/aacrao-research/a-blueprint-toward-a-learner-centered-credit-mobility-ecosystem
Accession Number: ED677885
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: From Research to Vision to Reality: A Blueprint toward a Learner-Centered Credit Mobility Ecosystem
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Wendy+Kilgore%22">Wendy Kilgore</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ken+Sharp%22">Ken Sharp</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22American+Association+of+Collegiate+Registrars+and+Admissions+Officers+%28AACRAO%29%22">American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22American+Association+of+Collegiate+Registrars+and+Admissions+Officers+%28AACRAO%29%22"><i>American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)</i></searchLink>. 2025.
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  Data: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). One Dupont Circle NW Suite 520, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 202-293-9161; Fax: 202-872-8857; e-mail: pubs@aacrao.org; Web site: http://www.aacrao.org
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  Data: 43
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Texas%22">Texas</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Authored by Dr. Wendy Kilgore and Dr. Ken Sharp, this white paper examines the current state of credit mobility in higher education in the United States. Through analysis of survey data from 36 Texas public institutions and broader national research over the past decade, this paper demonstrates that core challenges are not technological gaps but rather fundamental operational deficiencies--institutions often manually process electronic transcripts despite automation capabilities, lack comprehensive articulation rules, have complex and opaque transferability versus applicability policies, and struggle to operate fragmented technology systems that have been built over time. The research shows that without fixing these foundational "nuts and bolts" issues, the credit mobility ecosystem cannot achieve holistic improvement. The authors present a strategic framework that prioritizes establishing strong operational foundations before pursuing advanced solutions, fostering collaborative ecosystems that support under-resourced institutions, and creating scalable implementation approaches. [Data about Texas institutions of higher education referenced in this White Paper were collected through a survey administered to all public higher-education institutions in Texas as a collaboration between the Texas Transfer Alliance, Educate Texas, the Texas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (TACRAO) and the American Association of Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).]
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: <link linkTarget="URL" linkTerm="https://www.aacrao.org/research-publications/aacrao-research/a-blueprint-toward-a-learner-centered-credit-mobility-ecosystem" linkWindow="_blank">https://www.aacrao.org/research-publications/aacrao-research/a-blueprint-toward-a-learner-centered-credit-mobility-ecosystem</link>
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  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: ED677885
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=ED677885
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 43
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Student Mobility
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Higher Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Public Colleges
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Records
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Barriers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Administration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College Credits
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Transfer Policy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Articulation (Education)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Models
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Centered Learning
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Postsecondary Education
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      – SubjectFull: College Transfer Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Texas
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: From Research to Vision to Reality: A Blueprint toward a Learner-Centered Credit Mobility Ecosystem
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              Y: 2025
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