Industry Certification’s Role in Education

1. Industry Certification’s Role in Education ALE Conference July 8, 2013 Hot Springs Convention Center

2. What Is Being Said About Industry Certification?

3. From Georgetown University • “In addition to these program interventions for 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

4. From Harvard University • “27% of people with post-secondary licenses or certificates—credentials short of an associate’s degree—earnmore than the average bachelor’s degree recipient.” Pathways to Prosperity (Feb. 2011) http://www.gse.harvard.edu/news_events/features/2011/Pathways_to_Prosperity_Feb2011.pdf

5. From California State University • “Students who earn credentials in occupational programs can have substantial earnings advantages over those earning traditional academic degrees” (Emphasis Added) - California State University - Sacramento http://www.csus.edu/ihelp/PDFs/R_Road_Less_Traveled_02_11.pdf

6. Industry Certification – What’s The Value To Students?

7. Student Value – Career Readiness • 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 "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

8. Student Value - Employability 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 Report http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1952331,00.html

9. Industry Certification – What’s The Value To A School

10. NYC CTE Statistics • 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

11. Compelling Metrics in Florida

12. CTE Program Value • 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.

13. Microsoft IT Academy Technology Education Solution What? Bridging the Gap Why? High Schools, Adult Ed Centers and Workforce Services Centers Who?

14. MOS Certification for College Readiness International Industry Standard ACE College Credit - Articulation Student Engagement - Academics

15. 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

16. Why MOS Certification? • International Industry Standard • Possible College Credit • Student Engagement/Academics • 1000’s of jobs in Arkansas require MS Office Skills

17. Microsoft IT Academy Program Objective Microsoft IT Academy EMPLOYERS WANT: TEACHERS WANT: INSTITUTIONS WANT: STUDENTS WANT: IT Academy delivers digital content solutions IT Academy delivers certified job candidates IT Academy delivers low cost volume licensing IT Academy delivers 21st Century Skills

18. 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

19. The MOS Program Largest Certification Program on the Planet “Ideal” Candidates for Certification • CTE Students • Academy Program Students • Instructors 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

20. MOS Exam Characteristics This is what to expect - • Performance-based exam • 50-55 minute length • 20-30 test items with one or more tasks • Score required to pass varies with exam (65-80%) • Skills measured are posted on Microsoft’s website

23. IC3 Program Digital Literacy Certified in 3 Areas Computing 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

24. IC3 Exam Characteristics This is what to expect - • Mix of multiple-choice, simulations and matching questions • 45 minute length • 45 test items with one or more tasks • Score 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

25. IC3: Basic Digital Literacy • 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

27. The ACA Programs Digital Literacy Skills Certified Use 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

28. Adobe® Exam Characteristics This is what to expect - • Mix of multiple-choice and simulations • 50 minute length • 39-41 test items • Score required to pass varies with exam (Between 65 and 75%) • Skills measured are posted on Adobewebsite

29. Professional Development Push • 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)

30. Implementing Certifications • 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

31. Arkansas Results in JUST One Year