House Bill 1507 (2021) requires public postsecondary institutions to award students a nationally recognized digital badge upon completion of general education core courses that demonstrate career readiness. All students initially entering a public postsecondary institution in the 2022-2023 academic year, and thereafter, and enroll in general education core courses are eligible for the award of a digital badge. (Section 1007.25, Florida Statutes)
Dual enrollment students who complete core courses while in high school in the 2022-2023 academic year and thereafter are eligible to receive the digital badge. Additionally, students who are awarded credit-by-examination (e.g. AP, IB, AICE, and CLEP) are eligible to receive the digital badge upon successful transfer of the equivalent course as defined by the state Credit-by-Examination equivalencies.
The digital badge is intended to help students translate what they learn in general education courses to the knowledge, skills, and abilities that employers require. A grade of “C” or better is needed for each course associated with the earning of a digital badge. Colleges and universities are working with employers to develop digital badges that highlight the skills students learn. Digital badges allow students to showcase their achievements and the skills learned through related coursework.
With a digital badge, students can:
The best news is that there is no additional cost to receive the digital badge! The digital badge is earned by completion of general education core courses, which are already built into associate in science, associate in arts, and baccalaureate degree programs. Florida’s 12 state universities and 28 state colleges will automatically award the badge upon completion of the required coursework. Because the badge will appear on the student’s FASTER transcript, the badge will be accepted by all institutions if a student chooses to transfer.
The first digital badge, Fundamentals of Written Communication, will be available for students beginning in fall 2022 for the 2022-2023 academic year.
Effective written communication is the ability to communicate ideas, information, and perspectives clearly, adapting a message to different audiences and situations, and using the appropriate style to convey meaning in various written contexts. Florida public postsecondary institutions now offer students an Effective Communication digital badge. With this badge, students will be able to enhance personal communication skills, as well as convey to future employers that the student has acquired vital skills needed for professional success.
The Fundamentals of Written Communication digital badge is awarded automatically when the student earns a grade of C or better in Freshman Composition 1 (ENC 1101) or a course for which ENC 1101 is a prerequisite.
By completing the college course associated with this badge, students will demonstrate information literacy, comprehension of written material, and conveying information in writing for a variety of rhetorical purposes and audiences.
Some of the learning outcomes associated with the college course that results in this digital badge include:
Additional General Education Core digital badges will be announced in the future. Continue to check back for new badges.
