Why get certified?
What are the benefits of earning Schoolhouse.world certifications?
Certifications let you tutor on Schoolhouse.world. However, they have purposes beyond just tutoring on Schoolhouse. Your certifications also become part of your Schoolhouse.world transcript, which is a great way to demonstrate academic achievement, especially to colleges! Learn more on the Certification Page.Some readersWhat else can my certifications be used for?
Besides letting you tutor at Schoolhouse, your certifications also allow you to showcase your mastery in math or other topics. Your certifications will go on your transcript (found under the “My Certifications” section of the “Tutor” menu), which can be shared online through a convenient link. This transcript is a great way to demonstrate academic achievement, especially to colleges! UChicago, MIT, and Case Western recognize Schoolhouse.world transcripts in their application process–and we are eFew readers
Getting Certified
How do I complete a certification?
Steps on how to complete a certificationFeaturedHow long will it take to find out if my certification has been approved?
You should receive an approval or rejection on your certification request within a week of when you submit your certification request. If you do not receive a message about your certification decision after one week, you may email [email protected].Few readersWhat if I don’t earn 90%––can I try again?
Few readersAre honorary certifications included on your transcript?
No. The portfolio/transcript on Schoolhouse is currently designed mainly to be useful to colleges who accept it on their applications (see College Partners on the Partnership pages) and use the portfolio/transcript as a source of more data points on students. Video certifications are an alternative way to demonstrate mastery of subject material, and tutoring statistics show volunteerism and service. Honorary certifications on Schoolhouse are grantedFew readersWhat if I don't have a webcam to record my certifications?
If you computer does not have a webcam or you are unable to use our certification recording system, you can use two different devices. Use one device to film yourself while completing the certification test and the other to film the certification test (you can screen record your computer screen if possible). Send both video files to [email protected] and an engineer will be able to help you manually submit your certifications.Few readersWhat happens when peer reviewers flag a submission?
Flagged submissions are reviewed by a team of internal volunteers who investigate the claims made by peer reviewers. If the peer reviewer’s concern is validated, the user will be informed of their violation and asked to resubmit. Cases of dispute or recurring violation will be escalated to our review panel, consisting of experienced educators and high achieving students. This panel will determine the appropriate action, which may include a live audit to assess the user's reported mastery in theFew readersHow do I get certified?
You can view all certifications you have earned in your portfolio, which is found by selecting your profile, then "my portfolio" as shown below: You can also view your Certifications (and earn more!) at any time by selecting the "certify" tab in the relevant subworldFew readers
Trust and Safety
What happens if someone cheats on a certification?
Rejection of video with the opportunity to resubmit. Live questioning to validate the applicants content knowledge. Blocklisting from our system, along with invalidation of all certifications earned. Blocklisting incidents will be reported to organizations that inquire about your score.Few readersHow does Schoolhouse.world verify someone's identity?
While users abide by an honor statement, their transcript also links to their submission videos so universities can verify identity if they suspect violation of our honor statement.Few readersHow is cheating prevented?
All users record themselves with screen-sharing and camera on, following protocols that minimize opportunities for cheating. They must thoroughly explain each problem they solve for the recording, which validates that they are doing the work. Peer reviewers look for suspicious behavior and flag any indication of policy violations. Finally, videos may be subject to further analysis at any time if our board or an inquiring institution has reason to suspect cheating.Few readersWhat steps are taken to avoid implicit bias in the assessment?
The actual grading is done by Khan Academy’s website. Peer reviewers only verify that users followed protocol by following a narrow checklist of requirements (for example, that users got at least 90% on the assessment and explained their reasoning on questions). Additionally, peer reviewers who flag submissions without reasonable cause will be investigated and potentially removed from the system.Few readersCan I peer review my friends?
To avoid bias, peer reviews are randomly assigned to users all over the world.Few readers
Requirements
What are the different options for certifications?
If you'd like to get certified in a math/science subject, then you may request a certification by submitting a video of yourself working on the appropriate Khan Academy test. For the SAT subject, you will instead request an honorary certification by submitting an explanation and documentation of your scores. We no longer grant certifications in Experimental topics and they are not necessarFew readersWhat am I allowed to use while I’m getting certified?
You are always allowed to use , a device with a webcam, and any other tools that are explicitly asked for on a unit test (such as a calculator). The Khan Academy tests have a built-in drawing tool that you can use to show your work on the screen if you would like. For example, if a calculator, graphing calculator, or a z table are recommended on the unit test, you may use one as long as you explain your work on the Khan Academy certification test qFew readersWhat if the file I am sending to manually submit certifications is too large?
In order to manually submit certifications to [email protected], we do need you to send a file. Usually when an email attachment is too large, your email provider will give an option to upload it. For example, Gmail lets you upload it to Google Drive and other email providers often offer something similar. Try using Google Drive, Dropbox, or any similar service. If you're still having trouble, email [email protected] and we will help you.Few readersWhat are the requirements when I record a certification?
Please record your whole screen. You may only have the following tabs open: Schoolhouse.world, Khan Academy, and Desmos (can only be used when a question allows a graphing calculator). All other tabs are prohibited. You may not have any other applications open except your internet browser. If you want to show your work on the screen, please use Khan Academy's built-in drawing/annotation tool. You may also do your work on a piece of paper, but you must still explain yFew readersWhat items are prohibited when I record a certification?
color 000000 (These items may not be in the room while recording. Headphones/Earbuds Any electronics besides your computer/recording device Sunglasses, or anything unnecessary that covers the face You may only use a calculator when explicitly permitted in the test question. If the question requires a graphing calculator and you do not have one, Desmos can be used instead.)Few readers
How do Course Challenges work?
If you get certified in a Course Challenge, that means you're eligible to tutor in any one of the units in the course. There is no need to also get certified within each unit if you've done the Course Challenge.Few readersHow do you get certified in 'Experimental'?
Certifications are not currently needed for topics in the “Experimental” category. To tutor in it, you just need to be a tutor on the platform with at least one other certification. When you go to host a session or series in an experimental topic, you’ll need to specify how you’re qualified to host that topic. For example, for “Physics” or “Computer Science”, you might list classes you’ve taken in this subject or relevant tutoring experience.Few readersWhat if I have a disability that prevents me from following one or more of the certification guidelines?
Please write to us via the Chat feature (located at the bottom-right corner of our Help Desk) and explain your disability, and we will help you find a workaround.Few readersWhat should I do if my certification recording fails to upload?
If your video fails to upload, the website should direct you to download the video to your own computer, then have you click through to a link where you can drop in that file and upload it. After you upload this file via this method and it the recording gets approved by a Schoolhouse admin or volunteer, it will enter the normal certification peer review pool. It may take a couple days longer to hear back when you have to do this backup upload process, but you should still hear back on your certiFew readersWhy am I unable to start my certification recording?
This may happen for various reasons, so the first thing you want to make sure is that you are using a laptop, personal computer, or desktop for the certification. Devices such as iPads and tablets are incompatible. If the problem still persists, first check your settings in System Preferences to make sure that Google Chrome has permission to access your mic and webcam, and permission to share/record your screen. (https://storage.crisp.chat/users/helpdesk/website/12932e0820ea8700/image3zfh4Few readersWhat if I want a pending or completed certification removed?
You can email [email protected] and our engineer will help you remove any pending or completed certifications you are wanting removed.Few readersWhat devices and browsers work for certifications?
Schoolhouse.world offers certifications in a variety of categories, including math subjects, science subjects, and some specific test prep categories. For most math certifications, you have to record yourself solving problems on Khan Academy. In these cases, personal computers, including laptops and desktops, work best for completing certifications. Devices such as iPads and tablets are incompatible with our system for recording the certification videos. Google Chrome is our only officially-suppFew readersHow do I check what certifications I have completed?
When you go to your dashboard, you should see a bar on the side: Click on the graduation hat to proceed You will also be able to see other sections such as your pending certifications, "Start a New Certification" which will allow you to see what certifications you can obtain, and your portfolio which lists any certifications you submitted/completed and allow you to share it with others!Few readers