Use skill standards and certification tests to improve schools' information technology classes¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · no claims cited

Description¶

The article describes skill standards and certification tests as prominent tools in recent school-improvement efforts: "Skill standards and certification tests have figured prominently in recent efforts to improve schools' information technology classes." Schools and colleges can structure IT courses around industry skill standards and certification testing so that student learning is verified against workforce-relevant criteria.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Skill standards defining the targeted IT competencies
• Certification tests aligned to those standards

Constraints¶

Target Learners¶

• high school students
• two-year college students

Target Learning Goals¶

• information technology skills
• industry certification

Related Strategies¶

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Joshua Haimson, Michelle VanNoy. (2004). Developing the IT Workforce: Certification Programs, Participants, and Outcomes in High Schools and Two-Year Colleges. Princeton, NJ: Mathematica Policy Research. https://www.mathematica.org/publications/developing-the-it-workforce-certification-programs-participants-and-outcomes-in-high-schools-and-twoyear-colleges