NCRC IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

As a result of a series of discussions, the State of Oregon and Worksystems, developed the following training schedule template to prepare proctors and other staff to promote, administer, and report the results of National Career Readiness Certificate. The initial task was to select and assign staff to the project. Clover Ingram is the Youth NCRC coordinator at Worksystems and can be reached at or call 503-478-7342.

Staffing Plan

provider / Lead Proctor / email / Back-Up Proctor / email / coordination / email

Training Schedule

The schedule below outlines tasks, timelines and local points-of-contact for each of the tasks. The engagements of outside resources are highlighted in green:

Task / Timeline / Staff Responsible
1.  Select and assign Proctor staff. / Organization
2.  Select and assign Test Site Supervisor staff, Lead Proctors, & back up proctors. / Organization
3.  Set up ACT Realm: send below information to Linda Sozzi
Organization's Legal Name :
Test Administration Contact - this should be the person who will be involved with testing, not the Executive Director of the organization
First name
Last name
Title
Phone number
Fax number
Email
Mailing/Shipping Information - this will be the address where certificates are sent.
Address
City
State
Postal Code / Send email to Linda Sozzi, , at CCWD to set up a realm.(see attached 3rd party addendum for ACT)
4.  Acquire and read the Internet Version of the NCRC Test Administration and User Guide and Supervisor’s Manual. / Lead Proctors follow these links: WorkKeys Internet Version User's Guide and Supervisor's Manual)
5. Register for and participate in an ACT training webinar and follow the required steps once that’s completed. / Proctors (see schedule attached and at http://www.act.org/workkeys-private/reference/ )
This must happen prior to proctoring your first assessments.
6. Submit the Test Site Staff WorkKeys Manual Verification Form. / Lead Proctors & Back-Up Proctors follow this link: Test Site Staff WorkKeys Manual Verification Form ; Blanca can assist around developing a Realm for PYB.
7. Practice for the NCRC Tests.
Link to WOMIS for initial skills assessment and skill building:
https://www9.emp.state.or.us/wshome/wso_welcome.cfm?p_sys=1
A simple registration process is required to access the on-line materials. / Proctors taking the assessment must complete the assessments prior to their first proctoring session; otherwise they will need to wait at least a year to take the NCRC.
8. Take the NCRC Test. Proctors must take the NCRC before they administer the tests to others. Otherwise, they will need to wait 90 days after administering the tests before they take the assessments themselves. / Lead Proctors & Back- up Proctors
Worksystems schedules program proctors to take the NCRC assessments at our WSPM Centers. Send proctor names and email addresses and which Center they would like to take the assessments to Clover Ingram at .
9. Participate in an in-person or ACT webinar NCRC Proctor Training. / Lead Proctors & Back-Up proctors
If you would like to schedule proctor training, email the Proctor Training request form to Clover Ingram and CCWD at time of realm request.
10. Create User Accounts for new Proctors with ACT. / Assistance provided by Blanca Hawkins @ CCWD
11. Observe one or more NCRC orientation and assessment sessions at a local WSPM Center, observing proctoring, examinee data entry, check-in and reporting standards. / If requested / Lead Proctors & Back-Up Proctors; NCRC Proctors and Test Site Supervisors at WSO Centers. Worksystems can assist with coordinating observation times, if requested.
12. Begin NCRC proctoring, administrative and reporting responsibilities. / Lead Proctors and Back-Up Proctors

Role of Lead Proctors

Lead Proctors have overall responsibility for coordinating testing-site operations. They provide the continuity and uniformity necessary to ensure that the examinees are tested under the same conditions and that the examinations are secure. Additionally, they are responsible for verifying that staff who support the administration of the NCRC have received appropriate orientation and training, and for staff selection, replacement and supervision. They are accountable for scheduling testing sessions, for managing special testing accommodations, for resolving program level questions and issues related to the examinations, and for ordering testing and marketing materials.

Role of Proctors

Proctors must maintain the continuity of the NCRC examination by ensuring that the examinees are tested under the same conditions and that there is proper security of the examination materials. Specific responsibilities include preparing the testing room prior to the testing day(s); creating a roster of examinees for each testing session; registering examinees in the WorkKeys Internet Version of the NCRC; checking the personal ID of examinees against the testing roster and admitting examinees; conducting an orientation of the NCRC examination is recommended and WSI can provide an Orientation PowerPoint that you can modify to suit your needs; registering examinees into the ACT distributing and collecting appropriate materials that may be used by examinees during the tests (e.g., dictionaries, scratch paper, calculators); being attentive to examinees at all times; paying strict attention to monitoring examinees during the entire testing session to discourage and detect prohibitive behavior; reporting test irregularities to ACT following standard protocols; printing individual test reports for each of the examinees; and, following all of the procedures and protocols established and outlined in the WorkKeys Internet Version Test Administration and User Guide and the WorkKeys Supervisor’s Manual.

Role of Worksystems, Inc.

Worksystems acts as the Region 2 convener and coordinator of the NCRC and Certified Work Ready Communities Initiatives. Kurt Shovlin (; 503-478-7368) is the Region’s NCRC Liaison and Clover Ingram (; 503-478-7342) is the Youth NCRC Coordinator, providing guidance, information and assistance throughout the year. Questions or issues related specifically to the administration of the NCRC examinations that cannot be settled at the Program site should be communicated by the Lead Proctor to Clover Ingram who will work with the programs, as appropriate, to resolve them.

Role of the State of Oregon

The Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development (CCWD) provides technical assistance, guidance and resources to the State’s 15 workforce regions. Questions that cannot be resolved locally are typically referred directly to CCWD’s Blanca Hawkins () who helps coordinate the State’s NCRC. They are also the official points of contact with ACT when technical assistance, marketing materials, training, or communication and software issues occur that require troubleshooting.

Other Resources

  1. WorkKeys Information for Site Administrators (includes online Internet Testing manuals, training announcements, Quick Start Guides, etc. http://www.act.org/workkeys-private/reference/
  2. NCRC Resources for Center Staff – in the bottom footer on the right hand side – www.OregonWorkReady.com
  3. Link to WOMIS for initial skills assessment and skill building

https://www9.emp.state.or.us/wshome/wso_welcome.cfm?p_sys=1

  1. For individuals and businesses to verify and review National Career Readiness Certificates (NCRC):

http://www.act.org/certificate/account.html