NCRC IN
THE SCHOOLS
2015-2016
ASSESSMENT DAY HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. THE NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE (NCRC)
II. SCOPE & PURPOSE
III. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INDEX (SPI)
IV. ASSESSMENT PREP
V. ASSESSMENT DAY
VI. ASSESSMENT FOLLOW-UP
VII. RESOURCES
I. NATIONAL CAREER READINESS CERTIFICATE
What it is.
The ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (ACT NCRC) is an assessment-based credential powered by ACT WorkKeys®. The ACT NCRC measures and certifies the essential work skills needed for success in jobs across industries and occupations.
These foundational assessments contain questions which are based on situations found in the everyday work world. Once the assessments are completed, job seekers can compare their skills to the skills real jobs require.
How to earn it.
To earn an NCRC, an examinee must successfully complete three ACT WorkKeys assessments; Applied Mathematics, Locating Information and Reading for Information.
Applied Mathematics (33 questions)-Measures the skill people use when they apply
mathematical reasoning, critical thinking, and problem-solving techniques to work- related problems. Questions require examinees to set up and solve the types of
problems and do the types of calculations that actually occur in the workplace.
This test is designed to be taken with a calculator and a formula sheet.
Locating Information (38 questions)-Measures the skill people use when they locate,
synthesize, and use information from workplace graphics such as charts, graphs, tables, forms, flowcharts, diagrams, floor plans, maps, and instrument gauges. Examinees are asked to find information in a graphic or insert information into a graphic. They also must compare, summarize, and analyze information found in related graphics.
Reading for Information (33 questions)-Measures the skill people use when they read and use
written text in order to do a job. The written texts include memos, letters, directions, signs, notices, bulletins, policies, and regulations.
These assessments measure a range of essential work skills, including the ability to:
· Perform basic mathematic operations relevant to the workplace
· Read and understand documents commonly found in the workplace
· Find information presented in common workplace graphics
· Set up and solve complex work-related math problems
· Determine the relevance of written information to work-related tasks
· Apply information derived from graphics to work-related problems
Students are allowed 55-minutes to complete each assessment. The questions will start relatively easy and then become more difficult as you progress. All questions are multiple-choice.
Certificate Levels.
The ACT NCRC is awarded at four levels, based on the scores achieved on the component assessments; Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum.
AppliedMathematics / Reading for Information / Locating
Information
Bronze / 3 / 3 / 3
Silver / 4 / 4 / 4
Gold / 5 / 5 / 5
Platinum / 6 / 6 / 6
7 / 7
To earn a Bronze certificate, you must score at least a 3 in each assessment.
To earn a Silver, you must score at least a 4 in each one.
To earn a Gold, you must score at least a 5 in each.
To earn a Platinum, you must score at least a 6 in each assessment.
It is possible to score below a level 3 in any of the assessments. If this occurs a certificate is not issued.
Why the NCRC.
The NCRC complements such traditional credentials as high school diplomas, community college degrees, and certificates of technical proficiency. Academic credentials mark the fulfillment of an individual’s classroom learning experiences. The NCRC relies on standardized assessments and confirms an individual’s competence in a specific set of workplace skills.
While the primary purpose of the NCRC in the Schools project is to provide students making post-secondary career plans additional information about their workplace skills, a number of other groups may benefit by being aware of the assessments and certification process.
· Employers and human resources professionals: A trusted indicator that, in combination with other selection tools, can improve hiring, training, or promotion decisions.
· Students and educators: A credential that helps students succeed in a variety of career pathways.
· Workforce developers: A tool that helps displaced workers reenter the job market.
· Economic developers: Evidence of a skilled workforce that helps attract business and industry to states and local communities.
· Industry associations: A foundation for industry- and occupation-specific stackable credentials.
· Policymakers and legislators: A component of policy and legislative solutions to the nation’s economic and educational challenges.
II. SCOPE & PURPOSE
The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) in the Schools project is a joint effort between the South Dakota Department of Education (DOE) and the Department of Labor and Regulation (DLR). The project goal is to help prepare South Dakota high school students for careers in the 21st century workplace. The NCRC gives students the opportunity to demonstrate their workplace skill level as they prepare to enter the workforce after graduation or pursue postsecondary education.
The NCRC program provides each student with tangible data of the workplace skill set they possess as they begin to make career path decisions. In addition to the timely feedback, students have the chance to obtain a national certification which validates the skills they acquired while participating in the k-12 education system.
Providing high school juniors and/or seniors the opportunity to earn a NCRC may reveal a skill asset, or it may validate what they might already know about themselves when it comes to workplace skills. Regardless, taking the assessments and earning the certification provides students with additional information to make a best decision when it comes to their post-secondary plans.
Regardless of the path they choose, whether it’s a 2-year program, a 4-year program, military service or entering the workforce, the ultimate goal for all students is the same; to obtain and retain sustainable employment.
III. SCHOOL PERFORMANCE INDEX
The results of students’ certifications can be applied to the School Performance Index (SPI). Students’ results will be incorporated into the College and Career Readiness (CCR) Indicator.
Options for CCR points in the SPI:
Option A / Option BMath - 15 points
ELA - 15 points / Math - 10 points
ELA - 10 points
NCRC - 10 points
Total: 30 points / Total: 30 points
IV. ASSESSMENT PREP
Students who have been prepped regarding the NCRC are generally more actively engaged in the assessment, which leads to stronger performance. We request you take a few minutes to introduce the assessments to the students who will be participating.
We realize time is tight; therefore, we offer the following “10-20-30” options to share guidelines and discuss the assessments with the students before Assessment Day.
“10” Option 1 – Make sure they have the basics (10 minutes)
· NCRC Introduction Narrated Slide Show (hyperlink)
· Student Flyer (attachment)
“20” Option 2 – Help them become familiar with the types of questions (20 minutes)
· NCRC Introduction Narrated Slide Show (hyperlink)
· Student Flyer (attachment)
· NCRC Prep Book (attachment)
“30” Option 3 – Help them connect with one of the outcomes (30 minutes)
· NCRC Introduction Narrated Slide Show (hyperlink)
· Student Flyer (attachment)
· NCRC Prep Book (attachment)
· WorkKeys® Occupational Profiles Database found at http://profiles.keytrain.com/profile_search/ (set assessment goals by identifying the skill levels indicated for job/careers of interest)
Digital or hard copy versions of the materials are available to best suit your interaction style with the student population.
V. ASSESSMENT DAY
Prior to the scheduled Assessment Day please review the following items on this Assessment Day checklist.
SCHOOL CONTACT
Laptop or PC for each studentIT-Bandwidth Capability
(ACT Technical Checklist http://www.act.org/workkeys/tech/index.html)
IT-Browser compatibility
(ACT Technical Checklist http://www.act.org/workkeys/tech/index.html)
Outlets/power strips (for laptops)
Seating (ensure students have adequate room for laptop and workspace)
Calculators (students should bring)
Pen/Pencil (students should bring)
Accommodations (limited-most common is extended time)
DLR ADMINISTRATOR
Log-in instructionsApplied Mathematics Formula Sheet
Scratch paper
Emergency pencils
Emergency calculators
Introduction and walk through of the log-in process
VI. POST-ASSESSMENT
When a student has completed the assessments, they will have tangible evidence verifying their workplace skill set. This feedback may identify an area for improvement or help them in better being able to sell their strengths. The results may validate something they already know about themselves, or provide them with new information to consider.
It is important for students to know their overall certificate level, but understanding the individual assessment scores is probably more important. Like a high school diploma, when students walk the stage at commencement and receive their K-12 achievement, it notes a certain level of overall academic achievement. However, knowing what is on their transcript might actually give us a better understanding of what they’ve learned.
As it relates to the NCRC, it’s ideal for each student to understand what each level means and how their results compare to their career interests. This will help them better understand what it takes to be prepared for that type of work, or the types of foundational training necessary to be successful in that career field. And ultimately being prepared to have a conversation about their skill set with an employer can ensure a ‘best fit’ can be made in the workplace.
Timeline and Reports
Approximately 1-to-2 weeks after your Assessment day, you will receive a results package from the Department of Labor and Regulation. This package will include the following information for school staff and the students.
SCHOOL STAFF
1. Results Cover Letter. A breakdown of the assessment and certificate results.
2. Roster Report. A .pdf report which provides a composite report of individual student results.
STUDENTS
3. Student Results Packets. Each participating student which receive the following:
a. A cover letter with general information to include a score interpretation grid and Job Profile Database link
b. An Instant Score Report for each assessment completed
c. National Career Readiness Certificate (if earned)
The Certificate.
Each certificate is unique. They are issued with the individuals name (as provided in the demographic information at initial log-in) and a unique 16-digit identifier. The back of the certificate includes instructions on how to access an ACT WorkKeys account associated with the certificate. This accounts gives participants the chance to amend any demographic data entered, see their assessment scores and contains the ability to generate a digital URL link for an electronic resume’.
For privacy protection, ACT does not release any information until the certificate holder logs in and authorizes it. In order for employers to verify an NCRC, it first must be made public. Instructions for this process are included on the back of the certificate, and included in a cover letter with each certificate.
Post Assessment
To fully understand the connection between the assessment results and the skills found in the workplace, all participants are strongly encouraged to access the ACT Occupational Profile Database at http://profiles.keytrain.com/profile_search/. By comparing their instant score reports to the skill levels identified in career fields they are interested in, they can gain a better understanding into what it takes to get the job done when it comes to their foundational skill set.
What to do with the Certificate.
To use the NCRC is to share your achievement. The certificate and assessment results can be shared on a job application, job resume, academic resume, scholarship application, school application or other professional portfolio.
The NCRC is a valuable work skills credential. It should be safeguarded as any other important document like a diploma, degree, or other occupational certification. With no expiration date, this certification should be kept in a secure location.
Share your school’s participation.
Community leaders may not always be aware of the efforts being made by school districts in preparing youth for the world of work. Schools are encouraged to promote their participation in the NCRC project within the school building, throughout the district and the local business community.
Sharing opportunities to consider include, a school newsletter, local newspaper, website/internet, social media feed, an in-person update to a local board, commission, council or any other civic organization. Aggregate data about the project as a whole may be shared by either the Department of Education or Labor and Regulation, but individual school promotion will be left up to the discretion of each participating school.
VII. RESOURCES
SD MyLife – NCRC in the Schools webpage
http://sdmylife.com/educators/national-career-readiness-certificate-ncrc
Prep Book/Core Assessment for Certification booklet (sample questions, skills and characteristics)
http://dlr.sd.gov/workforce_training/documents/ncrc_core_assessments_for_certification.pdf
Applied Mathematics formula sheet
http://www.act.org/workkeys/assess/math/pdf/formula.pdf
NCRC Student Flyer
Department of Labor and Regulation - NCRC webpage
www.dlr.sd.gov/ncrc
ACT - National Career Readiness Certificate webpage
http://www.act.org/certificate/
ACT - WorkKeys webpage
http://www.act.org/products/workforce-act-workkeys/