Presented by Georgia L. Kirkpatrick

Transcription

1 Presented by Georgia L. Kirkpatrick Chesterfield County Public Schools (CCPS) Workforce Transition & Testing Coordinator Career & Technical Education (CTE)

2 CTE Credential Testing Virginia CTE courses are aligned to skill sets that are acknowledged and validated by business and industry as important elements in a job or job role. These skill sets can be mapped to one or more recognized credentials that are issued by various industry, trade, or professional associations and entities as well as approved by the VDOE Board of Education. Credential tests may be an industry certification test, a state license exam or an occupational competency assessment (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute, also known as NOCTI assessments).

3 Benefits of Testing In addition to adding value to a student's résumé for obtaining entry-level positions in today's technical job market, credentials provide the following benefits to students: 1. evidence that the student has completed advanced educational preparation by verifying competency in career and technical education skill areas in demand by business and industry. 2. increased job opportunities for advancement in a chosen career path. 3. enhanced self-esteem for students through achieving national occupational competency standards recognized by business and industry.

4 Definitions to Know! COMPLETER A student who meets the requirements for a CTE concentration and all requirements for high school graduation or an approved alternative education program (graduating seniors). CONCENTRATION A coherent sequence of courses completed by a student in a career area. Course sequences are identified by VDOE. FINISHER A student who meets the requirements for a CTE concentration but has not met all requirements for high school graduation or an approved alternative education program (underclassmen). Source: CTE Administrative Planning Guide

5 VDOE Goals During the school year, the VDOE required all school divisions to test 33% of all CTE Completers, with a 50% pass rate. During the school year, any school division which did NOT meet the 33% goal in the school year is required to obtain the 33% goal. During the school year, any school division which DID meet the 33% goal in the school year is required to maintain or improve its percentage goal. Each year the VDOE will increase the percentage rates with the eventual goal being 100% of all CTE Completers tested.

6 ***New Graduation Regulations for Standard Diploma! Discipline Area Standard Units of Credit Verified Credits Required English 4 2 Math 3 1 Science 3 1 Social Studies 3 1 Health & PE 2 Foreign Language, Fine Arts or CTE Economics & Personal Finance Electives 4 Student Selected Test 16 ***CTE Credential Test 1 Total

7 Verified Credits As approved by the Virginia State Board of Education, students earning a Standard Diploma may earn two additional verified credits for passing an industry credential examination. In order for students to earn VC, the following criteria must be met: 1) Their CTE teachers must earn at least one credential that is targeted for instruction in the courses they teach (Exception: NOCTI and WRS Assessments). 2) If the classroom teacher is administering the test, a proctor/observer, in addition to the classroom teacher, must be present during test administration. If the proctor, other than the classroom teacher, is administering the test, no other proctor is needed.

8 Industry Credential Goal in CCPS: 100% Completer & Finisher Testing! Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth (WRS) is one of our premier assessments being given to our Completers & Finishers!

9 State Course Competencies: First 21 Competencies of EVERY CTE Course are WRS!

10 What Are WRS? (WRS)%20for%20the%20Commonwealth%20Assessment%20Blueprint 2.pdf

11 Why Are They Important? 1. Virginia s employers have identified workplace skills that they expect and require of their workers. 2. The Code of Virginia Standards of Quality requires that the Board of Education shall establish educational objectives to implement the development of the skills that are necessary in school and preparation for life in the years beyond. 3. The Perkins Act of 2006 specifies that CTE programs must include competency-based applied learning that contributes to... higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, [and] technical skills.

12 WRS for the Commonwealth Assessment: A Popular Test Choice! The Board of Education approved this credential as a stand-alone examination towards a student-selected verified credit. This online examination is designed to measure current workplace readiness skills that are a required component of each CTE course.

13 Test Integrity Ensured! Teachers cannot see, take or proctor the test, thus ensuring test integrity and validity. Counts for verified credit. Pre-Test gives students the opportunity to experience the test format and the types of questions found on the actual test. Accommodations are allowed for those students who have an IEP (Individual Educational Plan). Students receive an official certificate. Results are instant. Retakes are allowed.

14 FAQs of WRS Q: What is the cut score or standard for mastery? A: 75% Q: How many questions are on the test? A: 100 multiple-choice questions. Q: How much time is allotted for the test? A: Students have 60 minutes to complete the test. Q: Is the test taken online? A: Yes. Plus results are instant and technical issues are few due to the minimum technical requirements of the assessment, i.e., IE 7+ and Flash 7+.

15 Testing in HCPS (First full year of WRS testing) A total of 1689 assessments were given. This assessment was by far the most popular credential test given in HCPS. The majority of these students were 10 th, 11 th and 12 graders. 779 failed; 910 passed. 54% pass rate. Weakest Skill Area: Professional Knowledge and Skills Within the area of Professional Knowledge and Skills, the weakest subgroups were: Organizations, Systems, and Climates (52.22%); and Life Long Learning (59.75%).

16 What Kind of Resources Are Available?

17 More Resources!

18 In Summary Many schools divisions in the Commonwealth of Virginia have enthusiastically embraced the High Stakes Credentialing Initiative as outlined by the VDOE, and they will continue to assess and improve their testing procedures. The Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth Assessment is quickly becoming the assessment of choice for those CTE courses that do not have an examination which directly connects to the business and industry they serve., i.e., Microsoft Office certification exams. The Workplace Readiness for the Commonwealth Assessment is also quickly becoming the assessment of choice for those first year students who attend a two year specialized technical center. This assessment is in addition to their business and industry certification, thus adding to the credential status of the secondary student and increasing their opportunities for career procurement and advancement.