Changes in the 11th grade state testing Preparing for the WorkKeys Assessments Changes in the 11th grade state testing This school year marks the beginning of important changes in state testing for all 11th graders in South Carolina. For the first time, the High School Assessment Program (HSAP) will no longer be given. Instead, students in 11th grade will take two assessments –a college and career readiness assessment (that has not been selected) and WorkKeys, which measures essential workforce skills.

What are the benefits of taking WorkKeys? What is WorkKeys? WorkKeys is a job skills assessment system measuring “real world” skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation you are considering and at any level of education. What are the benefits of taking WorkKeys? Successful completion of WorkKeys can earn an 11th grader a National Career Readiness Certificate. Many national companies and industries also use WorkKeys certificates when hiring. A financial or personal crisis can occur and delay college plans. Having a WorkKeys certificate can immediately open doors for jobs.

Requirements for the National Career Readiness Certificate Applied Mathematics Reading for Information Locating Information

Three parts of the assessment Applied Mathematics Three parts of the assessment Applying mathematical reasoning, critical thinking and problem-solving to work-related problems from making change to plotting a patient’s temperature readings. Reading for Information Reading and using written texts like letters, directions, signs, notices, policies and regulations in a job. Locating Information Using graphics like charts, graphs and tables to find information.

Applied Mathematics 33 Questions 55 Minutes on Internet and 45 Minutes The Format 33 Questions 55 Minutes on Internet and 45 Minutes Paper & Pencil Available in Spanish – 55 Minutes Levels 3-7 Formula Sheet

Reading for Information The Format 33 Questions 55 Minutes on Internet and 45 Minutes Paper & Pencil Available in Spanish – 55 Minutes Levels 3-7

Locating Information 38 Questions The Format 38 Questions 55 Minutes on Internet and 45 Minutes Paper & Pencil Available in Spanish – 55 Minutes Levels 3-6

National Career Readiness Certificates What does a WorkKeys score mean? National Career Readiness Certificates Bronze - scores at least a level 3 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 16 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database Silver - scores at least a level 4 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 67 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database Gold - scores at least a level 5 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 93 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database Platinum - scores at least a level 6 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 99 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database

Job Skill Comparison Chart

E Reading for Information – LEVEL 3 The Test You are the cashier. According to the notice shown, what should you write on the store employee’s receipt? The Employee’s identification number The Employee’s Department number The Amount of Sales Tax The 20% Discount Your Initials E

Reading for Information – LEVEL 7 The Test

Reading for Information – LEVEL 7 The Test

C Reading for Information – LEVEL 7 The Test You have hired a consultant to work with your firm. Based on the agreement shown, what will happen if the consultant’s business is taken over by a major competitor? The agreement will confidentially go into arbitration. The agreement will not be enforceable and is void. The consultant is bound by the agreement. The obligations will pass to the new owner. You must renegotiate the agreement with the new owner. C

B Locating Information – LEVEL 3 The Test You regularly check the pressure gauge on a large tank. According to the gauge shown, what is the current pressure (in PSI)? 30 35 40 45 100 B

C Locating Information – LEVEL 5 The Test You are a line supervisor at a plant that packages dishwashing soap bottles. Each week you review the production rates for the three teams that work on your line. According to the bar chart shown, which team had the highest overall production for Week 38? Team A Team B Team C Team A and Team B had the same high production rate. Team B and Team C had the same high production rate. C

Applied Mathematics– Formulas The Test

Applied Mathematics– Assume… The Test

Applied Mathematics– Calculators The Test

B Applied Mathematics– LEVEL 3 The Test In your job as a cashier a customer gives you $20 to pay for a can of coffee that costs $3.84. How much change should you give back? $15.26 $16.16 $16.26 $16.84 $17.16 B

C Applied Mathematics– LEVEL 7 The Test The farm where you just started working has a vertical cylindrical oil tank that is 2.5 feet across on the inside. The depth of the oil in the tank is 2 feet. If 1 cubic foot of space holds 7.48 gallons, about how many gallons of oil are left in the tank? 37 59 73 230 294 C

The LAW The Test College and Career Readiness Assessment created SECTION    4.    Article 3, Chapter 18, Title 59 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding: "Section 59-18-325.    (A)    All students entering the eleventh grade for the first time in school year 2014-2015 and subsequent years must be administered a college and career readiness assessment as required by the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act and by Title 1 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and that is from a provider secured by the department. In addition, all students entering the eleventh grade for the first time in school year 2014-2015 and subsequent years must be administered a WorkKeys assessment. The results of the assessments must be provided to each student, their respective schools, and to the State to: (1)    assist students, parents, teachers, and guidance counselors in developing individual graduation plans and in selecting courses aligned with each student's future ambitions; (2)    promote South Carolina's Work Ready Communities initiative; and (3)    meet federal and state accountability requirements. (B)    Students may subsequently use the results of these assessments to apply to college or to enter careers. The results must be added as part of each student's permanent record and maintained at the department for at least ten years. The purpose of the results is to provide instructional information to assist students, parents, and teachers to plan for each student's course selection. This course selection might include remediation courses, dual-enrollment courses, advanced placement courses, internships, or other options during the remaining semesters in high school."

Resources WorkKeys Practice Tests What is WorkKeys? The Test WorkKeys Practice Tests What is WorkKeys? Frequently Asked Questions