1. WORK KEYS BACKGROUND AND BENEFITS

2. WHAT IS WORK KEYS? Work Keys is a nationally recognized career readiness assessment that examines skills in the following 9 areas: Work Keys is a nationally recognized career readiness assessment that examines skills in the following 9 areas: Communication Business Writing Listening Reading for Information Writing Business WritingListening Reading for InformationWritingBusiness WritingListening Reading for InformationWriting Problem Solving Applied Technology Applied Mathematics Locating Information Observation Problem Solving Applied Technology Applied Mathematics Locating Information Observation Applied TechnologyApplied MathematicsLocating Information ObservationApplied TechnologyApplied MathematicsLocating Information Observation Interpersonal Teamwork Teamwork

3. How is it used? GED & SCHOOL/COMMUNITY DIPLOMA PROGRAMS USE THIS ASSESSMENT AS AN EXIT/READINESS MEASURE WITH MINIMUM THRESHOLDS FOR EXIT: GED & SCHOOL/COMMUNITY DIPLOMA PROGRAMS USE THIS ASSESSMENT AS AN EXIT/READINESS MEASURE WITH MINIMUM THRESHOLDS FOR EXIT: DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS MESA 51 & MESA COUNTY WORKFORCE MESA 51 & MESA COUNTY WORKFORCE ARCHULLETTA COUNTY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORK FORCE CENTERS ARCHULLETTA COUNTY IN CONJUNCTION WITH WORK FORCE CENTERS

4. How is it used? EMPLOYMENT SCREENING EMPLOYMENT SCREENING PARA PROFESSIONAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED ASSESSMENT PARA PROFESSIONAL HIGHLY QUALIFIED ASSESSMENT Take the guesswork out of hiring and promoting employees with WorkKeys—an easy-to-implement program that helps you build a high-performance workforce. We've helped our clients: Take the guesswork out of hiring and promoting employees with WorkKeys—an easy-to-implement program that helps you build a high-performance workforce. We've helped our clients: Reduce turnover by up to 84% Reduce turnover by up to 84% Decrease overtime hours by 95% Decrease overtime hours by 95% Experience a 244% ROI on training dollars Experience a 244% ROI on training dollars WorkKeys, ACT's workplace assessment tool, is the gold standard in skills testing. Thousands of companies worldwide use WorkKeys. WorkKeys uses the same scale to score tests and measure job skills, so you can make quick comparisons between a person's skill levels and the job requirements. WorkKeys, ACT's workplace assessment tool, is the gold standard in skills testing. Thousands of companies worldwide use WorkKeys. WorkKeys uses the same scale to score tests and measure job skills, so you can make quick comparisons between a person's skill levels and the job requirements. http://www.act.org/workkeys/employers/index.html http://www.act.org/workkeys/employers/index.html http://www.act.org/workkeys/employers/index.html

5. What is the minimum standard for a diploma? Different sites have the autonomy to set local standards for completion, some are higher than others, we could do the same Different sites have the autonomy to set local standards for completion, some are higher than others, we could do the same Minimum would be Bronze level on Career Readiness Certificate Minimum would be Bronze level on Career Readiness Certificate EXAMPLE: Mesa County KeyPerformance Diploma program EXAMPLE: Mesa County KeyPerformance Diploma program

6. EXAMPLES: Aims Diploma Program requires students acquire Work Keys minimum “Bronze” level achievement on Readiness Certificate Aims Diploma Program requires students acquire Work Keys minimum “Bronze” level achievement on Readiness Certificate Mesa County KeyPerformance Diploma program requires: Mesa County KeyPerformance Diploma program requires: Reading for Information Level 5 Applied Mathematics Level 5 Locating Information Level 4 Applied Technology Level 3 Team Work Level 4 Observation Level 4 Listening Level 3 Writing Level 3 Business Writing Level 3 Reading for Information Level 5 Applied Mathematics Level 5 Locating Information Level 4 Applied Technology Level 3 Team Work Level 4 Observation Level 4 Listening Level 3 Writing Level 3 Business Writing Level 3

7. The difference, an example AIMS STANDARD: MATH AIMS STANDARD: MATH Level Characteristics of Items Skills 3 View sample item Translate easily from a word problem to a math equation Level Characteristics of Items Skills 3 View sample item Translate easily from a word problem to a math equation View sample item View sample item All needed information is presented in logical order All needed information is presented in logical order No extra information No extra information Solve problems that require a single type of mathematics operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) using whole numbers Solve problems that require a single type of mathematics operation (addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division) using whole numbers Add or subtract negative numbers Add or subtract negative numbers Change numbers from one form to another using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or percentages Change numbers from one form to another using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, or percentages Convert simple money and time units (e.g., hours to minutes) Convert simple money and time units (e.g., hours to minutes)

8. The difference, an example Mesa 51 Standard: Math Mesa 51 Standard: Math 5 View sample item Problems require several steps of logic and calculation (e.g., problem may involve completing an order form by totaling the order and then computing tax) 5 View sample item Problems require several steps of logic and calculation (e.g., problem may involve completing an order form by totaling the order and then computing tax)View sample itemView sample item Decide what information, calculations, or unit conversions to use to solve the problem Decide what information, calculations, or unit conversions to use to solve the problem Look up a formula and perform single-step conversions within or between systems of measurement Look up a formula and perform single-step conversions within or between systems of measurement Calculate using mixed units (e.g., 3.5 hours and 4 hours 30 minutes) Calculate using mixed units (e.g., 3.5 hours and 4 hours 30 minutes) Divide negative numbers Divide negative numbers Find the best deal using one- and two-step calculations and then comparing results Find the best deal using one- and two-step calculations and then comparing results Calculate perimeters and areas of basic shapes (rectangles and circles) Calculate perimeters and areas of basic shapes (rectangles and circles) Calculate percent discounts or markups Calculate percent discounts or markups

9. The Certificate It is used for: Screening—Employers interview only applicants who have the skills required for the job. Screening—Employers interview only applicants who have the skills required for the job. Hiring and promotion—A National Career Readiness Certificate can be used as a "plus" factor to help make selection and promotion decisions. Hiring and promotion—A National Career Readiness Certificate can be used as a "plus" factor to help make selection and promotion decisions. Targeting employee training and development— Employers can target their training budgets for job- specific skills rather than basic skills. Targeting employee training and development— Employers can target their training budgets for job- specific skills rather than basic skills. http://www.act.org/certificate/what.html

10. How it works Bronze – scores at least a level 3 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 35 percent of the jobs in the WorkKeys database. Bronze – scores at least a level 3 in each of the three core areas and has the necessary foundational skills for 35 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 65 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 65 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 90 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 90 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. 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.

11. Benefits Based on objective, standardized results Based on objective, standardized results Nationwide portability Nationwide portability An internationally recognized assessment organization An internationally recognized assessment organization ACT is a not-for-profit organization committed to education and workplace success ACT is a not-for-profit organization committed to education and workplace success Available for immediate use Available for immediate use

12. FAQ Why is The Certificate based on the Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information skills? Why is The Certificate based on the Applied Mathematics, Reading for Information, and Locating Information skills? ACT has profiled more than 16,000 individual jobs across the country to determine the skills and skill levels needed to succeed in them. According to our findings, three skills are highly important to most jobs: ACT has profiled more than 16,000 individual jobs across the country to determine the skills and skill levels needed to succeed in them. According to our findings, three skills are highly important to most jobs: Reading for Information—comprehending work-related reading materials, from memos and bulletins to policy manuals and governmental regulations. Reading for Information—comprehending work-related reading materials, from memos and bulletins to policy manuals and governmental regulations. Reading for Information Reading for Information Applied Mathematics—applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems. Applied Mathematics—applying mathematical reasoning to work-related problems. Applied Mathematics Applied Mathematics Locating Information—using information from such materials as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, and charts. Locating Information—using information from such materials as diagrams, floor plans, tables, forms, graphs, and charts. Locating Information Locating Information

13. FAQ What makes the National Career Readiness Certificate unique? What makes the National Career Readiness Certificate unique? The Certificate is based on well-established WorkKeys tests that are documented as making a difference for employers. WorkKeys has been in use for nearly two decades and is already widely accepted by thousands of companies all over the world. The Certificate is based on well-established WorkKeys tests that are documented as making a difference for employers. WorkKeys has been in use for nearly two decades and is already widely accepted by thousands of companies all over the world. Because WorkKeys tests assess essential foundational skills, they are applicable to and necessary for virtually every job. "Soft skills" are important, but essential foundational skills such as reading, math, and locating information are the bedrock of essential skills for just about every job. Because WorkKeys tests assess essential foundational skills, they are applicable to and necessary for virtually every job. "Soft skills" are important, but essential foundational skills such as reading, math, and locating information are the bedrock of essential skills for just about every job.

14. BOTTOM LINE Using the Work Keys assessment for alternative pathway students assesses the skills necessary to enter the work force Using the Work Keys assessment for alternative pathway students assesses the skills necessary to enter the work force Based on academic skill proficiencies and 21 st century skills Based on academic skill proficiencies and 21 st century skills Provided an exit exam for a diploma— unlike standard pathway Provided an exit exam for a diploma— unlike standard pathway Nationally recognized and provided by a non-profit organization Nationally recognized and provided by a non-profit organization