7 DOMAINS · 35 STANDARDS · BUILT FOR K–12 AND HIGHER EDUCATION
A SHARED FOUNDATION
HELPING SCHOLASTIC ESPORTS GROW WITH PURPOSE.
As programs grow, schools need a practical way to define quality, support students, and build with confidence. Education Esports brings those expectations together in one shared standard.
OUR PRINCIPLES
WHAT THE STANDARD
STANDS FOR.
Clear priorities for stronger educational esports programs.
STUDENT WELFARE
COMES FIRST
Safety, dignity, privacy, health, access, and belonging are non-negotiable.
EDUCATION GIVES
PLAY PURPOSE
Programs must demonstrate intentional value for learning and student development.
EVIDENCE SUPPORTS
CERTIFICATION
Certification is based on documented and verified practice—not promises or purchases.
IMPROVEMENT CONTINUES
AFTER CERTIFICATION
Certification requires continued review, renewal, and responsible adaptation.
THE FRAMEWORK
SEVEN DOMAINS.
ONE SHARED
STANDARD.
Thirty-five standards across seven domains, with five standards in each.
01 STUDENT SAFETY & WELL-BEING
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Prioritizing the physical, mental, and emotional safety of all students through proactive policies, education, and supportive environments.
SSW-1 Student Safeguarding and Conduct
SSW-2 Digital Safety, Privacy, and Consent
SSW-3 Healthy Participation
SSW-4 Inclusion, Accessibility, and Belonging
SSW-5 Student Voice and Support
02 PROGRAM GOVERNANCE
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Ensure the program is institutionally supported, responsibly managed, transparent, and guided by a documented educational purpose.
PG-1 Educational Purpose and Institutional Alignment
PG-2 Leadership, Oversight, and Accountability
PG-3 Policies and Risk Management
PG-4 Responsible Stewardship and Partnerships
PG-5 Program Assurance and Continuity
03 COACHING & STAFFING
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Ensure qualified, prepared, and accountable adults create a safe culture, support student development, and model professional conduct.
CS-1 Qualified and Approved Personnel
CS-2 Student-Centered Coaching
CS-3 Supervision and Professional Boundaries
CS-4 Training and Continuing Development
CS-5 Staff Coordination and Accountability
04 COMPETETIVE INTEGRITY
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Protect fair, transparent, responsible scholastic competition through clear rules, secure participation, sportsmanship, and impartial administration.
CI-1 Clear Rules and Eligibility
CI-2 Responsible Title and Platform Selection
CI-3 Fair Play and Account Integrity
CI-4 Sportsmanship and Team Conduct
CI-5 Competition Administration and Dispute Resolution
05 FACILITIES & TECHNOLOGY
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Ensure esports environments are safe, accessible, secure, supportable, and planned around educational and program needs rather than equipment alone.
FT-1 Safe, Accessible, and Healthy Environments
FT-2 Fit-for-Purpose Infrastructure
FT-3 Cybersecurity and Access Management
FT-4 Privacy-Aware Broadcast and Digital Production
FT-5 Maintenance, Support, and Technology Lifecycle
06 EDUCATION & STUDENT GROWTH
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Use esports intentionally as a platform for learning, transferable skills, academic opportunity, leadership, career exploration, and measurable student development.
ESG-1 Defined Educational Outcomes
ESG-2 Transferable Skills and Digital Citizenship
ESG-3 Academic and Curricular Integration
ESG-4 Career and Workforce Pathways
ESG-5 Student Leadership, Engagement, and Measurable Growth
07 CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
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Use evidence, reflection, feedback, corrective action, and annual review to strengthen quality, respond to change, and sustain certification.
CPI-1 Baseline Assessment and Priorities
CPI-2 Goals, Measures, and Evidence
CPI-3 Stakeholder Feedback
CPI-4 Improvement Planning and Follow-Through
CPI-5 Annual Review, Benchmarking, and Renewal
ADMINISTRATORS — Clear expectations for program quality.
PROGRAM LEADERS — A roadmap for building and improving.
FAMILIES — Greater confidence in the student experience.
STUDENTS — Safer, more purposeful opportunities.
WHO IT SUPPORTS
ONE STANDARD.
SHARED VALUE.
A common framework gives every person connected to a program a clearer understanding of what quality should look like.
HOW CERTIFICATION WORKS
A CLEAR, EVIDENCE-BASED PATH TO CERTIFICATION
DEFINE THE SCOPE
Confirm the institution, program, locations, activities, systems, and students included.
→
ASSESS & SUBMIT EVIDENCE
Evaluate practice across all 35 standards and submit supporting documentation.
→
VERIFY & IMPROVE
Reviewers evaluate the evidence; gaps become a corrective action plan.
→
CERTIFY & RENEW
Meet the requirements, earn certification, and complete an annual review.
CERTIFICATION OUTCOMES
WHAT THE CERTIFICATION IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE.
DEFINED CERTIFICATION
CREDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
FINDINGS REPORT
PRIORITIZED IMPROVEMENT
ROADMAP
POLICY & IMPLEMENTATION
GUIDANCE
ANNUAL REVIEW &
BENCHMARKING
OPTIONAL SUPPORT
SUPPORT BEYOND CERTIFICATION
Certification identifies what strong practice looks like. Separate, optional support can help institutions plan, train, implement, and improve.
PROGRAM STRATEGY & GOVERNANCE
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Help establishing program goals, leadership roles, policies, budgets, and a sustainable operating structure.
EDUCATOR & COACH DEVELOPMENT
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Training and resources that help staff lead safely, consistently, and with clear educational purpose.
FACILITY & TECHNOLOGY PLANNING
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Vendor-neutral guidance for spaces, hardware, networks, accessibility, and long-term technology needs.
IMPLEMENTATION RESOURCES
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Practical templates, checklists, planning tools, and rollout support for putting improvements into practice.
Optional services do not determine certification outcomes. No product, vendor, or consulting engagement is required.
PARTNERS
BUILDING THE FOUNDATION TOGETHER.
Education Esports works with organizations that contribute experience, technology, and insight to stronger scholastic esports programs.
Partners may support implementation, but they do not influence certification decisions.
