CaSS
cassproject.org
What it is
CaSS provides infrastructure for describing and exchanging competencies, evidence of attainment, and related resources. It translates competency data between systems with different structures, using global identifiers and APIs to support sharing. Organizations can use competency and framework alignments to find learning resources such as courses, assessments, books, and games. CaSS can store competency-based profiles, transcripts, badges, and credentials for training, credentialing, and career management. Its tools include a REST JSON-LD API, a JavaScript library for browser and Node.js environments, and adapters for IMS CASE, Open Badges, xAPI, and JSON-LD. Competencies can be imported and exported in common formats as linked data, and API integrations are described for learning management systems and sources such as O*NET. Access controls can be configured to govern who views, accesses, or edits competencies. Deployment options include public or private cloud, a federated architecture, and configurations ranging from lightweight open systems to strong cryptography. The project describes a no-knowledge security architecture in which the server does not access unencrypted private data or user credentials. CaSS is free and open source under Apache 2.0, with code available for hosting an instance.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- CaSS provides a common language and translation method for competencies, evidence of attainment, and associated resources.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Deployment
- CaSS can be deployed as a public or private cloud based solution, and its open source code can be used to host an instance.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Security
- CaSS can be configured as a lightweight open system or a highly secure system with strong cryptography, and blockchain can be used for authorized, verifiable competency records.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- License
- CaSS is released under the Apache 2.0 license for commercial and noncommercial adoption and modification.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Access controls
- The product offers configurable controls over who can view, access, and edit competencies.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- API and integrations
- The current developer overview describes a REST JSON-LD API, a JavaScript library for browser and Node.js environments, and adapters including IMS CASE, Open Badges, xAPI, and JSON-LD.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.cassproject.org
- Competency exchange
- CaSS uses global identifiers and APIs to define and share competencies across systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Competency records
- CaSS can store competency-based profiles, transcripts, badges, and credentials for training, credentialing, and career management.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Discovery
- CaSS supports finding learning resources, including courses, assessments, books, and games, through competencies and framework alignments.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Formats and APIs
- CaSS supports importing and exporting competencies in common formats and describes API integrations with learning management systems and sources such as O*NET.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Funding and project history
- The project began in 2015 with funding from the US Department of Defense Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative, which the page says continues to support and fund CaSS.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Hosted offering
- Eduworks offers hosted, customizable, supported CaSS software as a service to businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies; the page gives no price and directs interested parties to email.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Hosted service
- Eduworks offers CaSS as hosted, customizable, supported software as a service to businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Import and export
- CaSS supports importing and exporting competencies in commonly used formats as linked data, and describes integration with learning management systems and O*NET through APIs.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Interoperability
- CaSS is designed to translate and exchange competency data between systems with different structures.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Mission and audience
- The project aims to support competency based education, training, and credentialing through open source infrastructure and tools.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Open source
- CaSS is released under the Apache 2.0 license for commercial and non-commercial adoption and modification, and code is available to host an instance.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Profiles and credentials
- CaSS stores and provides access to competency based profiles, transcripts, badges, and credentials for training, credentialing, and career management.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Project history
- The project began in 2015 with funding from the US Department of Defense Advanced Distributed Learning Initiative, which the page says continues to support and fund it.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Resource discovery
- CaSS uses alignments to find resources such as courses, assessments, books, and games that support competencies and frameworks.Read 9 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
- Security architecture
- The current developer overview says CaSS uses a no-knowledge security architecture in which the server does not access unencrypted private data or user credentials.Read 4 Oct 2026 · docs.cassproject.org
- Support contact
- The maker directs interested users to contact [email protected] to learn how Eduworks can help.Read 4 Oct 2026 · cassproject.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Exchanges competency data across differently structured systems
- Stores profiles, transcripts, badges, and credentials
- Includes REST API and JavaScript library
- Configurable controls govern competency access
- Apache 2.0 license permits commercial and non-commercial use
Limits
- Self-hosting requires hosting an instance
Who it suits
CaSS may suit organizations working with competency-based education, training, or credentialing across systems. It offers self-hosting code as well as a hosted service for businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies.
Verdict
CaSS is built around competency data exchange, discovery, and credential records, with multiple integration and deployment options. Organizations can use the open-source code or ask Eduworks about the hosted service.
Where Specifiction places it
- Skills Management Software#8 of 277.9
- Competency Management Software#7 of 227.9
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