Using ITF+ for Digital Literacy and an Entry Tool for IT/Cybersecurity Programs Aligned with CompTIA Certifications

Session Presenters Steve Linthicum accepted the role as Regional Director (ICT) for Orange County in July of 2017 after retiring from his role as a tenured faculty member at Sierra College in Rocklin, California, in June 2017. Steve has always been on the leading edge of technology, holding a variety of current industry certifications issued by major industry leaders like Microsoft, VMware, CompTIA, ISC2, EMC, and Citrix. The initial focus of Steve's efforts has been revitalizing high school classes to insure they serve as a pipeline to college for students seeking high wage positions in the information technology field. Steve maintains a public blog where he provides input relative to his certifications. Scott Young is the President of SynED. He has provided results-based technology and operational solutions to the public and private sectors for more than 25 years. He has worked with colleges at all levels, and with Fortune 100 companies. His most recent work has been with the California Community College system with a goal to make community colleges a catalyst for job creation across the state and close the ever-widening skills gaps across multiple sectors. This work lead to the formation of the Cyber Guild, which serves as a resource for the many partners working to create educational pathways to meet the demand for skilled cybersecurity professionals.

Program History ITF+ Program started as a result of a brainstorming effort by leadership from CompTIA, Cyber Guild, ITProTV, Practice Labs, and the California Community Colleges that focused on a way of providing a pathway for K-12 students with an entry point into IT and cybersecurity programs located at community colleges. A key component of the program was introducing students to the benefits associated with obtaining a foundational industry recognized certification (ITF+).

Initial Structure (Phase 1) Phase 1’s focus was purposely limited to measuring student learning outcomes and was directed towards the IT Fundamentals (FC0-U51) exam. The time period ran from December 2017 through December 2018. With the recognized view that content for the new exam was likely more difficult resulting in expected lower passing rates (at least initially), project leaders agreed that utilizing multiple phases made sense. Phase components were as follows: 1,000 ITF vouchers purchased by CCCs for use across California as a pilot effort (focus on old IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 exam). CompTIA provided access to the free e-book relating to the exam. ITProTV provided students with free access to their video series on the IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 exam objectives. Practice Labs provided students with free access to their virtual labs relating to the IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 exam. Cyber Guild provided wrap around services relating to voucher distribution and data collection designed to measure student success.

Transition to ITF+ (Phase 2) Phase 2 served as a transition from the old exam (FC0-U51) to the new exam (FC0-U61). The time period ran from December 2018 through June 2019. Because of limited access to learning resources that lagged the availability of public access to the new exam (released September 2018), students had limited access to learning content. Phase components were as follows: 500 ITF vouchers purchased by CCCs for use in Orange County, with a focus on the new ITF+ FC0-U61 exam). CompTIA provided access to the free e-book relating to the old exam. ITProTV provided students with free access to their video series on the IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 exam objectives. Practice Labs provided students with free access to their virtual labs relating to the IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 exam. Cyber Guild provided wrap around services relating to voucher distribution and data collection designed to measure student success.

ITF+ with Resources (Phase 3) Phase 3 will provide us with the opportunity to measure student success where students are provided with access to newly developed learning content. This phase began July 1, 2019 and will continue throughout the remainder of this project, with a focus solely on the new exam (FC0-U61). Phase components were as follows: An initial 1,600 ITF+ vouchers purchased by CCCs for use across California. CompTIA provided access to their new content relating to the old exam. ITProTV provided students with free access to their video series on the IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 exam objectives. Practice Labs provided students with free access to their virtual labs relating to the IT Fundamentals FC0-U61 exam. CCCs providing free access to their new faculty developed content specifically designed to be utilized in with Canvas LMS. Cyber Guild provided wrap around services relating to voucher distribution and data collection designed to measure student success.

ITF Voucher Program Fall 2018 Type of Student Total Pass Fail % Pass Adults-Faculty 28 100% College 163 161 2 99% HS/MS Students 472 404 68 86% Looking at the numbers

Looking at the numbers

Progression to Higher Certs Looking at the numbers Type Locations Certs Higher Certs Percentage MS/HS 11 799 379 47% College 7 51 44 86%

Looking at the numbers Looking to Fall 2019 7 colleges or regions adopting 3,300 New vouchers being distributed 1,500+ Potential of New Students Progressing to obtain higher certifications

Providing Concierge Service Supporting the future earners Curriculum Support Exam Preparation Support Personalized Follow Up Measuring Results

Contact Information         Steve Linthicum eMail : linthicum_steve@rsccd.edu Phone: 916-300-7602 LinkedIn : https://linkedin.com/in/slinthicum Scott Young eMail : syoung@syned.org Phone: 310-613-4534 LinkedIn : https://linkedin.com/in/listentosee

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