Washington’s K-12 and higher education systems are partnering to create a more streamlined and equitable future for students. The Digital Transcript Project, a collaborative effort by WSIPC and the Washington State Council of Presidents, with support from the Gates Foundation, is building a modernized system for the 21st century.
Our Vision: A Seamless, Secure, and Student-Centered System
We envision a seamless, secure, and student-centered digital transcript exchange system that empowers every learner in Washington to transition from K-12 to higher education with clarity, efficiency, and equity. By modernizing transcript formats and streamlining the exchange process, we aim to eliminate systemic burdens, improve admissions workflows, and ensure timely, actionable access to student data that supports informed decision-making and equitable opportunity.
What is the Digital Transcript Project?
The WSIPC Digital Transcript and Direct Admissions Project is designed to modernize the transcript process across K-12 and higher education institutions, streamlining student data exchange to improve access to postsecondary opportunities. By leveraging automated data-sharing solutions, the project aims to reduce processing time, improve accuracy, and increase postsecondary enrollment, particularly among underrepresented groups.
Key Objectives:
- Developing an automated transcript system to streamline data exchange between school districts and post-secondary institutions.
- Ensuring data security, accuracy, and compliance with regulatory standards.
- Reducing the administrative burden on schools and improving student application experiences.
- Enhancing equity in postsecondary access for Black, Latino, Native, low-income, and rural students.
Navigating the Hurdles
The current system presents significant challenges for students and institutions alike. These hurdles include:
- Inconsistent Data: Washington has 295 variations of transcript formats and interpretations of College Academic Distribution Requirements (CADRs).
- Manual Processes: Students often face redundant admissions processes and manual verifications, while institutions struggle with unreliable transcript data.
- Siloed Systems: K-12 and higher education have historically operated in separate systems, leading to critical gaps in data sharing and feedback.
Forging the Path Forward
Through a collaborative effort, we are actively working to break down these barriers by:
- Cleaning Up Course Coding: Schools and districts are reviewing and aligning historical and current course codes to improve transcript accuracy.
- Aligning CADR Interpretations: We are working toward a more consistent, curriculum-based interpretation of CADRs.
- Testing Automation: Universities are testing automation pathways using SLATE and other CRM systems to streamline the ingestion and processing of transcript data.
- Building on Existing Partnerships: We are leveraging successful regional collaborations between K-12 and post-secondary institutions as models for statewide implementation.
A Look into the Future
Our ultimate goal is to create a connected and intuitive experience for all.
- For Students: A seamless transition from high school to higher education with the ability to send accurate transcripts with a single click, expanding their post-secondary choices.
- For Higher Education: Interoperability between various platforms, a focus on student success, and streamlined communication with applicants.
- For the K-12 System: Unified student IDs, standardized course codes, and a secure data ecosystem with feedback loops from colleges on student admission and graduation.
Our Supporters
The Digital Transcript and Direct Admissions Project is made possible with the generous support of the Gates Foundation.
Contact Us for More Information
To learn more about the Digital Transcript Project and how you can get involved, please email us at info@wsipc.org.