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Virginia Department of Education

2012 - 2013 Video Streaming Training Sessions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Administrator

Training Session #8

Industry Credentialing

Joseph WharffGordon Creasy

Virginia Department of Education

October 10, 2013

2011-2012 Video Streaming Training Sessions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Administrators

Agenda

• Welcome and Introductions• The Value of Credentialing • Types of Industry Credentials• Industry Credentialing Resources• Standard Diploma Requirement and Scenarios• Improving Industry Credentialing• Utilizing SSWS for Program Improvement• Industry Credentialing Priorities• Wrap Up and Announcements

Value of Credentialing

• Student-Selected Verified Credit• Standard Diploma Graduation

Requirement • Exploring Job Market Skill Sets• Exposure to External Testing• Proof of Career Pathway Skills• Workplace Value• Virginia School Report Card• Perkins IV Accountability• CTE Program Improvement

Various Aspects of the Virginia Credentialing Initiative

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Types of Credentials

The Virginia Board of Education has approved for student-selected verified credit over 350 industry certification exams, licensures, and occupational competency assessments. The various credentials are defined as:• Full Industry Certifications• “Stepping-Stone” Industry Certification Examinations• State Licensures• Occupational Competency Assessments (NOCTI)

Examples: Types of Credentials

• Microsoft Office Specialist (Word) – Full Industry Certification

• ASE Certification—Brakes– “Stepping-stone” Examination

• Cosmetology Licensure– State Licensure

• Criminal Justice Assessment (NOCTI)– Occupational Competency Assessment

• Criminal Justice Examination/CSI (SkillsUSA)– Occupational Competency Assessment

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What Is Important To Know About Credentialing Types

• Many credentials are developed specifically for the workplace, not designed around technical skill courses (but target competencies, etc.).

• Occupational competency examinations are designed for the student learner in CTE programs/courses.

• Some credentials are “stepping-stone” exams in a program of examinations.

Scope of Assessment Coverage as Related to CTE Credentialing

• Skill Set Examination

• Course Examination

• Program Examination

• Pathway Examination

Examples: Scope of Assessment Coverage

• Microsoft Office Specialist—Word – (skill set assessment)

• ProStart Program Certification/Level 1 – (course assessment)

• Carpentry Examination (SkillsUSA or NOCTI) – (program assessment)

• Animal Systems Assessment (NOCTI) – (pathway assessment)

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What Is Important To Know About A Credential’s Scope of Coverage?

• A skill set examination is usually the most targeted credential.

• Course examinations normally cover a specific year of a secondary CTE program.

• A program examination tests major concepts learned in a CTE program of courses.

• A “pathway” exam covers major concepts learned in a series of courses relating to an occupational area.

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Board Of Education’s List Of Credentials Approved On June 27, 2013

• Designed to prepare students for an occupation or occupational area.

• Knowledge-based; however, the credential may contain a performance-based component.

• In a CTE field that confers a credential from a recognized industry, trade, or professional association or entity.

• Administered on a multi-state or international basis• Standardized and graded independent of the school in

which the test is given.

Board of Education criteria for a Student-Selected verified credit

A credential must be one that is:

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Check Available Resources for Credentialing Examinations

Does the credential have an entry-level examination? Has instruction been “aligned” to better cover the exam

blueprint? Does the credential have related curriculum materials? Does the credential have a pre-test? Does the credential have “exam prep” materials? Does the assessment have study guide materials (i.e., NOCTI

study guide packets)? Are you familiar with the test entity’s web site?

Facts Sheets Now Found in APG

Diploma Changes House Bill 1061 and Senate Bill 489

• A student must earn a career and technical education credential that has been approved by the Board of Education to graduate with a Standard Diploma. The credential could include, but not be limited to, the successful completion of an industry certification, a state licensure examination, a national occupational competency assessment, or the Virginia workplace readiness skills assessment;

Standard Diploma

Discipline AreaStandard Units of Credit

RequiredVerified Credits

RequiredEnglish   4 2Mathematics1 3 1Laboratory Science 2,6 3 1History and Social Sciences3, 6 3 1Health and Physical Education 2Foreign Language, Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education 7

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Economics and Personal Finance 1Electives4 4Student Selected Test5 1Total 22 6

5 A student may utilize additional tests for earning verified credit in computer science, technology, career and technical education, economics, or other areas as prescribed by the board in 8 VAC 20-131-110. 6 Students who complete a career and technical education program sequence and pass an examination or occupational competency assessment in a career and technical education field that confers certification or an occupational competency credential from a recognized industry, or trade or professional association or acquires a professional license in a career and technical education field from the Commonwealth of Virginia may substitute the certification, competency credential, or license for (i) the student selected verified credit and (ii) either a science or history and social science verified credit when the certification, license, or credential confers more than one verified credit. The examination or occupational competency assessment must be approved by the Board of Education as an additional test to verify student achievement.

• Students who complete a career and technical education program concentration sequence (a sequence of two or more 36 week courses or combinations of 18 and/or 36 week courses that are equivalent to two 36 week courses) AND pass a Board-approved credentialing test may substitute the credential for (1) the student selected verified credit (see FN 5) and (2) either a science or history and social science verified credit when the credential confers more than one verified credit. (see FN6)

Source: http://www.doe.virginia.gov/boe/accreditation/index.shtml

Standard Diploma

Earning Student-Selected Verified Credit: Source: Guidance Document Governing Certain Provisions of the Regulations Establishing Standards for Accrediting Public Schools in Virginia (8 VAC 20-131)

• One student-selected verified credit will be awarded for passing each certification or licensure examination that meets all of the criteria and the student earns one standard unit of credit only in the career and technical education concentration or specialization.

• Two student-selected verified credits will be awarded for passing each certification or licensure examination that meets all of the criteria; and• The student meets the career and technical education

concentration or specialization course requirements for program completer.

• The student earns at least two standard units of credit in the career and technical education concentration or specialization.

• The student may substitute one of these verified credits for a verified credit in either science or history and social science.

Student 1

• CTE Sequence:– Accounting (6320/36 weeks)– Accounting, Advanced (6321/36 weeks)

• Industry Credentialing Exam:– Basic Accounting- NOCTI (Passed)– Advanced Accounting- NOCTI (Passed)

• Earned:– Industry Credential for graduation- Yes– Program Concentration Sequence- Yes– Eligible for one student-selected verified credit AND one verified

credit in either a science or history and social science- Yes

Student 2

• CTE Sequence:– Horticulture Sciences (8034/36 weeks)– Landscaping (8036/36 weeks)

• Industry Credentialing Exam:– Horticulture: Landscaping- NOCTI (Passed)– Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth

Examination (WRS)- (Passed)

• Earned:– Industry Credential for graduation- Yes– Program Concentration Sequence- Yes– Eligible for one student-selected verified credit AND one verified

credit in either a science or history and social science- Yes

Student 3

• CTE Sequence:– Office Specialist I (6740/36 weeks)– Office Specialist II (6741/36 weeks)

• Industry Credentialing Exam:– Fundamental Business Concepts- A*S*K* (Passed)– Microsoft Word- MOS/Certiport (Passed)

• Earned:– Industry Credential for graduation- Yes– Program Sequence Completer- Yes– Eligible for one student-selected verified credit AND one verified

credit in either a science or history and social science- Yes

Student 4

• CTE Courses:– VA Teachers for Tomorrow I (9062/36 weeks)– VA Teachers for Tomorrow II (9072/36 weeks)- did not pass

• Industry Credentialing Exam:– Early Childhood Education (AAFCS)- Did not pass– Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth

Examination- Passed• Earned:

– Industry Credential for graduation- Yes– Program Sequence Completer- No– Eligible for one student-selected verified credit- Yes

Student 5

Course:• Economics and Personal Finance - Graduation Requirement

(BUS6120, Finance 6121, 18 weeks, Economics, 18 weeks, History and Social Science 2801, Virtual Virginia Economics and Personal Finance course, other courses that are aligned with the Economics and Personal Finance Standards of Learning)

• Industry Credentialing Exam:

– WISE Financial Literacy- Did not pass– Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth

Examination- Passed

• Earned:– Industry Credential for graduation- Yes– Program Sequence Completer- No– Eligible for one student-selected verified credit- Yes

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Improving Credentialing

• Know What Credentials Are Most Utilized– Statewide– By CTE Course

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Computer Information Systems, Advanced (6613/36 weeks)

Types?Scope?Most Utilized?Most Successful?Job Market Value?

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Culinary Arts II (8276/36 weeks, 280 hours)

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Standard SSWS Reports Available Using the “Reports” Menu

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School Report Card Report AvailableUsing the SSWS “Reports” Menu

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Credentials by School Using the “Reports” SSWS Menu

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Credentials by SchoolUsing the “Reports” SSWS Menu(Sorted by Year)

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Using SSWS Reports Menu (Examples of Credentials Being Used By Individual Schools)

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State Summary of Credentials ReportUsing the SSWS “Reports” Menu

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State Summary of Credentials ReportUsing the SSWS “Reports” Menu(Alphabetic Sort)

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State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu (Most Utilized)

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State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu (Most Passed)

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SSWS Reports Menu Data(Examples for Last Five Years of Credentials Being Used In Specific CTE Courses)

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SSWS Data PostedCTE Credentialing Web Page

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SSWS Data Posted to CTE Credentialing Web Page(School Report Card Data for State)

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SSWS Data Posted to CTE Credentialing Web Page(Examples of Credentials Being Used In Specific CTE Courses)

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CTE Performance Trends

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Perkins IV Performance Measures (2S1) State Goals for: 2013-2014

Core Indicators of Performance State Negotiated Level of Performance for Technical Skills Attainment

(See the 2012-13 CTERS Manual for Details)

2S1-A Student Competency Rate: 84%2S1-B Completers Participating in Credentialing Tests: 55%

2S1-C Test Taking Completers Passing Credentialing Tests: 76%

2S1-D Total Completers Passing Credentialing Tests: 35%

2S1-E Completers Passing a Credentialing Test Plus Completers Who Earned an Advanced Studies Diploma and Did Not Pass a Credentialing Test: 43%

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CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates - CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates - CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates

CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates

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Determine the Most Recent State “Benchmark” for the Credential Being Used or Considered

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Why is Knowing The State “Benchmark” For A Credential Important?

• To establish realistic expectations (goals) for students regarding examination pass rate.

• Students should be able to score at or above the state benchmark for an examination.

• To understand why the difficulty level of credentials differ.

• To understand that many credentials do not have comparatively high pass rates (80 to 100%, etc.).

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Examine How Credentials Are Being Utilized By Specific CTE Courses

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Why Is It Important To See What Credentials Are Being Used in Specific Courses?

• To see which credentials are the most successful in specific CTE courses.

• To see how credentials are working in specific years of a multi-year CTE program.

• To identify programs where more credentialing options are needed.

• To identify where “generic” credentialing may be the best option.

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Suggested Credentialing Priorities

• Focus testing for 2013-14 on CTE completers/finishers as a first priority using technical skills assessments where possible. The state Perkins IV goal (2S1-B) for “Completers Participating in Credentialing Tests” is 55%. The (2S1-C) Perkins goal for “Test Taking Completers Passing Credentialing Tests” is 75%.

• Focus student testing on the credentials that are the most

successful (see statewide “benchmark” passing rates) as indicated by the SSWS data for the last four school years. The state Perkins IV (2S1-D) goal is 35% for “Total Completers Passing Credentialing Tests.”

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• National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT) • National Professional Certification in Customer

Service• National Professional Certification in Sales• IC3 Global Standard Certification (GS3)• W!SE Financial Literacy Certification• Nurse Aide Examination• Word, Excel and PowerPoint Examinations:

Microsoft Office Suite

Know What Credentials Are Most Successful (Top Credentials by Number of Tests Attempted With At Least 500 Test Takers)

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• Early Childhood Education and Care Assessment—Basic (NOCTI)

• NRA: ServSafe Certification• Private Applicator Certification (VA Dept of Agriculture

and Consumer Services)• Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth

Examination • Cosmetology Licensure Examination • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

Examination

Know What Credentials Are Most Successful (Top Credentials by Number of Tests Attempted With At Least 500 Test Takers) …continued

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Suggested Credentialing Priorities

• Also consider priority testing using those credentials that have the highest “market place” and/or “career pathway” value even though some credentials may not have comparatively high passing rates. Many industry certifications do not have a comparatively high pass rate—particularly when using the “first attempt” scores of test takers.

• To improve student job seeking resumes and where budget permits, test all CTE students with a technical skills exam and/or a soft skills assessment.

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Suggested Credentialing Priorities

• Conduct generic testing (i.e., workplace readiness skills testing or the career readiness certificate exam) for students pursuing a Standard Diploma.

• Develop a testing scheme that will focus on testing Junior or Senior students allowing time for testing re-takes. This related to new legislation first affecting the freshman class of 2013-14 which requires students to pass a credentialing examination before graduation (if pursuing a Standard Diploma).

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Thank You!

• Next Video Streaming Session – November 7, 2013: Using Data for Program Planning and Continuous Improvement

• Note: Please complete the evaluation

Contact Information:Virginia Department of Education

Office of Career and Technical Education ServicesCTE@doe.virginia.gov

804-225-3370