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News

September 17, 2009
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SkillsUSA released three additional assessments for field test this month: Criminal Justice / CSI, Medical Assisting, and Power Equipment Technology. Due to rigorous standards placed on all Skill Connect Assessments, all assessments must complete field testing prior to their release. If the assessment for your technical area is currently in this stage, please consider registering your students for field testing.

Not only is field testing free, but you and your students will get a preview of the Work Force Ready System and the Skill Connect Assessments offered by SkillsUSA. You will see where industry leaders are setting the bar for their employees of the future and can help your students better prepare for industry assessments. Areas currently in field testing are listed below as well as on our website.

Thank you to those who have already registered or served as field test sites. For advisors who have previously participated, but now have a new group of students, you are eligible to re-register. Simply go online and re-enroll your new students.

Assessments Currently in Field Test:

  • Architectural Drafting
  • Aviation Maintenance Technology (2)
  • Computer Programming
  • Culinary Arts
  • NEW! Criminal Justice / CSI
  • Electronics Applications
  • Electronics Technology
  • NEW! Major Appliance Technology
  • Marine Service Technology
  • Mechatronics
  • Medical Assisting
  • Plumbing
  • NEW! Power Equipment Technology
  • Residential Wiring
  • Robotics and Automation Technology
  • Screen Printing Technology

Coming Soon to Field Test:

  • 3-D Visualization and Animation
  • Audio/Radio Production
  • Cabinetmaking
  • Carpentry
  • CNC Milling and Turning Technology
  • Dental Assisting
  • Graphic Communications
  • HVAC and Refrigeration
  • Masonry
  • Motorcycle Service Technology
  • Practical Nursing
  • Precision Machining Technology
  • Technical Computer Applications
  • Technical Drafting
  • Telecommunications Cabling
  • Television (Video) Production

The Work Force Ready System and its Skill Connect Assessments continue to gain momentum. Since their release, more than 1,700 technical assessments have been purchased by instructors in 70 different schools from 25 states and Puerto Rico! The Skill Connect Assessments are driven by industry standards, and can be used as an on-ramp to industry assessments across the nation.

Skill Connect Assessments differ from traditional assessments by providing questions rich in simulations, videos, and pictures in several formats: drag and drop, hotspot, and multiple choice. These question types allow students who truly know the content to shine. Assessments evaluate their technical and employability knowledge, not their ability to take standardized tests. Assessments evaluate their technical and employability knowledge; not their ability to read. All Skill Connect Assessments are evaluated by a group of industry partners and psychometricians to ensure their validity, rigor, and conduciveness to skill requirements necessary for employees in today’s industries. See what areas are available for purchase!

Have you viewed the Skill Connect Assessments yet? Watch the demo video.

The Champions for Change Technical Advisory Committee is meeting October 15 in the Washington, D.C., area. Technical Advisory Committee members are industry partners dedicated to ensuring that Skill Connect Assessments align with industry trends and standards. The committee meets three times each year with the Work Force Ready System development team to discuss new industry techniques, standards, and requirements.

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"I like the report I can give my students that identifies their strengths and weaknesses by competency, not by question. I also liked the Grade Report that lets me see how each of them did compared to a national and state average."

-Steve Balough
South Central -AVT, MO


Bruce Potter,
Program Specialist

Thank you for your interest in our new Skill Connect Assessments. More and more instructors are finding value in the online tools as an onramp to industry certifications or an end-of-program assessment. To preview these assessments through 10-question mini-assessments in 37 areas, follow this link. Once you’re there, click “Self-enroll to system” on the right-hand side of the page. Enter your personal details, enter “demo” in the Enrollment Key field, and click “Create my new account.”

Then, log in with the username and password you created. In the “My Courses” list, click “Skill Connect Assessments.” You’ll see a list of the 37 mini-assessments, organized by program of study. Once you click on the assessment you would like to preview, click “Attempt assessment now” to start the assessment. Click “Prev” and “Next” to move between questions, and “Submit all and finish” to see your grade instantly. You are welcome to take each mini-assessment as many times as you would like or preview another assessment by clicking on “Assessment Demo.” Also, we’d like to hear your feedback through the “Skill Connect Assessment Survey.”

From our website, you can find all that you need to bring these assessments to your classroom. Review the list of assessments that are available for purchase and for field testing. You can also purchase assessments, sign up as a field-test site or register as a proctor. We look forward to hearing from you. If you have additional feedback to share about how we can improve the assessments, or would like to share a testimonial for our marketing materials, please e-mail us.