For decades, high school students hoping to be accepted into college have relied on transcripts of academic achievements like attendance, honors, and GPA — but as all educators know, grades only tell part of a student’s story.
What if there’s a better way for colleges to evaluate what student applicants are really capable of?
This idea has led the California Area School District in Southwestern Pennsylvania to create “The Village Transcript,” which captures learning both in and out of school, including community-based experiences, skills, and competencies. Teachers, students, and community members can all contribute online to each student’s Village Transcript, which documents the whole child and serves as a resume, portfolio, and transcript in one place.
“This project was inspired by a student named Scott who is passionate about emergency response. Scott spends all his evenings and weekends at the local firehall. He has numerous certifications and will pursue his career in emergency response. Scott is the one you want to have saving your life, but his grades are average, so a traditional transcript would not document all of his skills. The Village Transcript allows Scott to clearly convey his passions and showcase his volunteer hours, certifications, and achievements,” said California Area School District Superintendent Laura Jacob.
This bold concept is already attracting statewide attention: The Carnegie Foundation has asked California Area to present the idea to the others in the Future of High School Network.
The Village Transcript project was funded with a Moonshot Grant from Remake Learning.
Since 2021, Remake Learning’s Moonshot Grants have invested over $4.5 million in over 100 ideas with the potential to transform education. Named in honor of the original effort to transport humans to the moon, this acclaimed funding model with Pittsburgh roots is making a difference worldwide by asking educators to dream big, take risks, and collaborate to make the impossible possible.
Support for Moonshot Grants is generously provided by The Grable Foundation and The Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation.
About Remake Learning
Founded in 2007, Remake Learning stewards a network of partners working together to enrich Pittsburgh’s learning ecosystem and support young people navigating rapid social and technological change. Learn more at remakelearning.org
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