0 Virginia Department of Education Video Streaming Training Sessions for Career and Technical Education (CTE) Administrator Training Session #8 Industry Credentialing Joseph Wharff Gordon Creasy Virginia Department of Education October 10, 2013

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

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) 3

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

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. 5

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)

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. 8

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10 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:

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? 12

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 Area Standard Units of Credit Required Verified Credits Required English 42 Mathematics 1 31 Laboratory Science 2,6 31 History and Social Sciences 3, 6 31 Health and Physical Education2 Foreign Language, Fine Arts or Career and Technical Education 7 2 Economics and Personal Finance1 Electives 4 4 Student Selected Test 5 1 Total226 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 VAC 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: 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 ) 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

Improving Credentialing Know What Credentials Are Most Utilized – Statewide – By CTE Course 25

Computer Information Systems, Advanced (6613/36 weeks) 26 Types? Scope? Most Utilized? Most Successful? Job Market Value?

Culinary Arts II (8276/36 weeks, 280 hours) 27

Standard SSWS Reports Available Using the “Reports” Menu 28

School Report Card Report Available Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu 29

Credentials by School Using the “Reports” SSWS Menu 30

Credentials by School Using the “Reports” SSWS Menu (Sorted by Year) 31

Using SSWS Reports Menu (Examples of Credentials Being Used By Individual Schools) 32

State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu 33

State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu (Alphabetic Sort) 34

State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu (Most Utilized) 35

State Summary of Credentials Report Using the SSWS “Reports” Menu (Most Passed) 36

SSWS Reports Menu Data (Examples for Last Five Years of Credentials Being Used In Specific CTE Courses) 37

SSWS Data Posted CTE Credentialing Web Page 38

SSWS Data Posted to CTE Credentialing Web Page (School Report Card Data for State) 39

SSWS Data Posted to CTE Credentialing Web Page (Examples of Credentials Being Used In Specific CTE Courses) 40

CTE Performance Trends 41

Perkins IV Performance Measures (2S1) State Goals for: Core Indicators of Performance State Negotiated Level of Performance for Technical Skills Attainment (See the 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% 42

CTE Completer Industry Testing RatesCTE Completer Industry Testing Rates - CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates CTE Completer Industry Testing Rates 43

Determine the Most Recent State “Benchmark” for the Credential Being Used or Considered 44

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.). 45

Examine How Credentials Are Being Utilized By Specific CTE Courses 46

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. 47

Suggested Credentialing Priorities Focus testing for 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.” 48

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) 49

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 50

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. 51

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 which requires students to pass a credentialing examination before graduation (if pursuing a Standard Diploma). 52

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 Services