Industry Certification’s Role in Education

ALE ConferenceJuly 8, 2013Hot Springs Convention Center

What Is Being Said About Industry Certification?

“In addition to these program interventionsfor adults and postsecondary students who are

working, we need to revive high school career and technical education programs as alternative pathways to postsecondary education and training or to industry-based certificates and certifications that make students employable after high school.” (Emphasis added)- Postsecondary Education and Training As We Know It Is Not Enough. http://cew.georgetown.edu/uploadedfiles/412071_postsecondary_education.pdf

From Georgetown University

“27% of people with post-secondary

licenses or certificates—credentials short ofan associate’s degree—earn more than theaverage bachelor’s degree recipient.”

Pathways to Prosperity (Feb. 2011)http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news_events/features/2011/Pathways_to_Prosperity_Feb2011.pdf

From Harvard University

“Students who earn credentials in occupational programs can have substantial earnings advantages over those earning traditional academic degrees” (Emphasis Added)

- California State University - Sacramentohttp://www.csus.edu/ihelp/PDFs/R_Road_Less_Traveled_02_11.pdf

From California State University

Industry Certification – What’s The Value To

Students?

Able to perform 80% of entry-level information tasks

85% of supervisors report… ◦ More productive◦ Require less supervision

93% Become team resources

89% Are more satisfied at work◦ Keeping/staying with their jobs

Student Value – Career Readiness

"Proportionally, more kids have lost jobs in the past few years than the entire country lost in the Great Depression."

- Andrew Sum in Time Magazine Jan 18, 2010

Top-tier staffing agency reports:

Twice as likely to be placed

50% more likely to be hired on full time

Average 10-15% higher pay

Time Magazine Reporthttp://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952331,00.html

Student Value - Employability

Industry Certification – What’s The Value To A

School

Lower Drop-out Rates◦ NYC CTE – 4x Lower

Increased Post-Secondary Enrollment◦ NYC CTE – 92%

Perceived Program Value◦ NYC CTE –600 openings received 10,000

applicants

NYC CTE Statistics

92%

Performance Indicator Non-CAPE

CAPE, No Certification

CAPE + Certification

Average Grade (4.0 GPA scale)

2.53 2.60 3.00

12th Graders Earning Diploma (Graduating)

66.5% 76.7% 94.0%

At Least One College-Level Course

17.7% 19.0% 30.5%

Graduates Enrolling In Postsecondary In Fall

67.2% 57.9% 70.2%

Graduates Employed In Fall 48.4% 45.5% 58.0%

Chronically Absent 15.5% 12.3% 11.6%

At Least On Disciplinary Action

21.6% 21.2% 10.0%

Dropout Rate 2.4% 1.4% 0.1%

Compelling Metrics in Florida

Quantifiable Student Learning Outcomes◦ Aligns with Perkins & Other Funding Requirements◦ Simplifies End of Year reporting◦ Standardization

Professional Development for Staff & Faculty◦ Fulfill CTE Credential Requirement for Industry

Exp.

Articulation Agreements Throughout the U.S.

CTE Program Value

What?

Why?

Who?

Technology Education Solution

Bridging the Gap

High Schools, Adult Ed Centers and Workforce Services Centers

Microsoft IT Academy

MOS Certification for College Readiness

International Industry Standard

ACE College Credit - Articulation

Student Engagement - Academics

MOS Certification for Career Readiness

Thousands of US Jobs Require Microsoft Office Skills

MOS certification maximizes job productivity and efficiency

MOS certification differentiates job candidates seeking employment

International Industry Standard Possible College Credit Student Engagement/Academics 1000’s of jobs in Arkansas require MS Office

Skills

Why MOS Certification?

Microsoft IT Academy Program ObjectiveMicrosoft IT Academy

EMPLOYERS WANT:

TEACHERS WANT:

INSTITUTIONS WANT:

STUDENTS WANT:

IT Academy delivers

certified job candidates

IT Academy delivers digital

content solutions

IT Academy delivers low cost volume

licensing

IT Academy delivers 21st

Century Skills

Lab Resources

• Lab Licenses for IT Academy Members• 50 licenses for Microsoft Office 2010 or 2013

• DreamSpark• 1 Subscription per High School• Top developer and designer software available

at no charge for your school lab machines, so students can create next-gen apps, games and tools.

• Available on students and teachers personal computers

• Create for Xbox Live, Kinect, and more

Largest Certification Program on the Planet

“Ideal” Candidates for Certification CTE StudentsAcademy Program StudentsInstructors and Staff

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access (SharePoint &

One Note in 2010) - Microsoft Office 2010- Microsoft Office 2007- Microsoft Office 2003

The MOS Program

This is what to expect -Performance-based exam50-55 minute length20-30 test items with one or more tasksScore required to pass varies with exam

(65-80%)

Skills measured are posted on Microsoft’s website

MOS Exam Characteristics

Digital Literacy Certified in 3 AreasComputing Fundamentals, Key Applications, Living Online

IC3 = Foundational Certification for Office Workers Design Workers IT Professionals

Appropriate Courses for Certification

Introduction to Computers Basic Microsoft Office Courses Internet Use Courses

IC3 Program

This is what to expect -Mix of multiple-choice, simulations and matching questions45 minute length45 test items with one or more tasksScore required to pass varies with exam

(most IT exams range from 65-80%) Source: US Dept. of Education, October 2000

Skills measured are posted on Certiport’

website

IC3 Exam Characteristics

IC3: Basic Digital Literacy

Computing Fundamenta

ls

Key Applications

Living Online

Basic understanding of computer hardware, software, and using the operating system for everyday tasks

Specific, common, skills of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation programs

Basic understanding of how computers connect to a network and the Internet, specific skills for operating an email application, web browser

Digital Literacy Skills CertifiedUse of Photoshop, Dreamweaver and Flash & Premier*Exams available in CS3, CS4 or CS5 versions

Appropriate Courses for Certification Digital Photography Courses Photoshop/Design Courses Web Design Courses

*Premiere exams is available in CS5 only

The ACA Programs

This is what to expect -Mix of multiple-choice and simulations50 minute length39-41 test itemsScore required to pass varies with exam

(Between 65 and 75%)Skills measured are posted on Adobe website

Adobe® Exam Characteristics

States of Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio, New York, Texas, Virginia (to name just a few!)◦ Approved for High School CTE Teachers

Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)

◦ Approved for Middle School CTE Teachers Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC3)

Professional Development Push

• Any school can be registered as a test center at no charge

• Download test software for free• Purchase certification vouchers or licenses

for use during the school year

Implementing Certifications

Arkansas Results in JUST One Year

Summary 24-Apr 6-May 13-May 20-May 24-May 29-May 7-Jun 17-Jun 27-Jun

Total Number of Schools in the Program 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120 120Total Number of Schools in the Program Registered 113 116 116 116 116 116 119 119 120 Total Number of Schools in Program Testing 10 20 26 40 50 52 54 55 57Total Number of K12 Schools testing 41 46 47 48 49Total Number of Adult Ed testing 9 6 7 8 8 Total Number of Schools Using Gmetrix 39 49 55 61 66 67 70 70 70Total Number of K12 using Gmetrix 56 56 56 56 56Total Number of Adult Ed using Gmetrix 10 11 14 14 14 Total Number of K12 Schools Received Vouchers 54 54 54 55 55Total Current Uploads 203 397 535 1040 1467 1708 1793 1841 1888Total Certifications Passed 132 235 309 567 765 855 911 940 946 K12 Uploads 1022 1453 1694 1775 1817 1854K12 Certifications Passed 556 759 849 903 927 946 Adult Ed Uploads 9 14 14 18 24 34Adult Ed Certification Passed 2 6 6 8 13 20