General Education Digital Badge

During the 2021 Florida Legislative Session, House Bill 1507 amended section (s.) 1007.25, Florida Statutes (F.S.), to require public postsecondary institutions to award students a nationally recognized digital badge upon completion of general education core courses that demonstrate career readiness, beginning with students who initially enter a postsecondary institution in fall 2022 for the 2022-2023 academic year.

The bill charges the State Board of Education (SBOE) and the Board of Governors (BOG) for the State University System (SUS) to jointly appoint faculty committees to identify the competencies within the general education core that demonstrate career readiness and will result in the award of a “verifiable and interoperable nationally recognized digital credential.” These badges must be awarded and recognized by every public postsecondary institution in the Florida College System (FCS) and SUS. 

• Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes - General education courses; common prerequisites; other degree requirements
• DFC Memorandum 2022-04: General Education Digital Badges - House Bill 1507 (2021) (PDF)

Digital Badge #1: Fundamentals of Written Communication

The first digital badge titled, “Fundamentals of Written Communication,” will be available for students beginning in fall 2022 for the 2022-2023 academic year. Information for institutions, including the details of this specific badge and the recording of the badge, is forthcoming.

Institutional Obligations

Advertising in Catalog: In accordance with s. 1007.25(4), F.S., students must be able to distinguish in the public postsecondary institution’s catalog which general education core courses are linked to earning a digital badge. This requirement is in effect starting fall 2022 for the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter.

Granting Digital Badges: Statute specifies the postsecondary institutions are responsible for “granting” students the digital badge(s). Until a statewide solution is realized, institutions will determine the most appropriate approach for ensuring this information is available as students seek employment.

FASTER Transcripts: The FASTER Postsecondary Course Demographic Record Format (P01) will be modified to reflect student attainment of digital badges. As faculty committees identify digital badges, the table values will be expanded accordingly. Institutions will record digital badges earned via FASTER. Note: It is at each institution’s discretion to determine placement on local academic transcripts.

State Reporting: FCS institutions will be required to report general education digital badges through state reporting. Within the Student Database, Data Element 2123, General Education Digital Badge, was created to capture digital badges. As faculty committees identify digital badges, the table values will be expanded accordingly.

Resources

• General Education Digital Badge Resource Guide and FAQ (PDF)
• "Fundamentals of Written Communication" digital badge logo (PNG) (available for institutional use)
• General Education Digital Badge Technical Assistance Webinar - April 6, 2022
  • Webinar Recording
• Preliminary General Education Digital Badge Technical Assistance Webinar - March 2, 2022
  • Florida College System: General Education Digital Badge – Preliminary Technical Assistance Webinar
  • Florida College System: General Education Digital Badge – Preliminary Technical Assistance Webinar (PDF) 

Students with questions regarding the General Education Digital Badges should contact their institution.

Questions from Florida College System institutions may be directed to Katie.Grissom@fldoe.org.