Program supports rigorous computer science learning for both teachers and students including clear certification pathways.
SALT LAKE CITY (PRWEB) NOVEMBER 04, 2019
Certiport, the leading provider of IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners, today announced several Certiport certifications are included in the new Computer Science and Information Technology Academy launched in Kentucky in the 2019-2020 school year. The new Academy is a Kentucky Department of Education growth strategy that stems from the recently adopted Kentucky Academic Standards for Computer Science.
The Certiport certification programs on the Academy’s valid industry certification list include: Adobe Certified Associate, App Development with Swift Certification, Autodesk Certified User, IC3 Digital Literacy, Microsoft Technology Associate, and the Unity Certified User exams.
“Computer Science is among the top occupations in Kentucky in both annual job openings and growth, and we had to decide if we were going to let those jobs be filled by students from outside of our state,” said Laura Raganas, CS/IT Academy Program Manager, Kentucky Department of Education. “We decided we want to prepare our Kentucky students for an exciting and rewarding computer science career here at home and our partners are helping us step up to the plate.”
The program is designed to offer specific industry certifications free to students and teachers for all computer science CTE career pathways. Student certification vouchers were available beginning July 1, 2019 and teacher professional development will continue to be scheduled throughout the year.
Edwin Allin, a CTE teacher at Hardin County’s Early College Career Center said, “Certification gives our students instant recognition in the computer science and IT sector and preferred placement in jobs. Earning a certification is also a great introduction into the field and adds value to their diploma, resume and their work ethic as they do hands on work to learn these skills.”
The Certiport certifications included in the program focus on basic computing, office productivity and beginning coding skills. All of the certifications are recognized by industry and give students a validation for the skillset they acquire in their CTE pathway of choice.
“Many schools are trying to figure out how to get students interested in computer science and coding, and Kentucky is leading the way with their new initiatives,” said Ray Murray, Vice President and General Manager – IT, Pearson VUE. “We partnered closely with the Kentucky Department of Education to ensure that student success and growth is the focal point for their programs and we look forward to watching all of these certifications programs grow.”
About Certiport
Certiport is the leading provider of learning curriculum, practice tests, and performance-based IT certification exams that accelerate academic and career opportunities for learners. Certiport provides certification development, delivery, and program management services through an expansive network of more than 12,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. More than 3 million Certiport exams are delivered in 26 languages across 148 countries each year throughout the academic, workforce, and corporate technology markets. Certiport is a Pearson VUE business, and is a part of the world’s leading learning company, Pearson. To learn more, go to certiport.com.
“We decided we want to prepare our Kentucky students for an exciting and rewarding computer science career here at home and our partners are helping us step up to the plate.”
