Abner Soto Computer Instructor Certification Offered Microsoft Office Specialist   Employer MacFarlane Middle School Location Washington, D.C.

In his own words: "After learning basic computing skills, we started working toward Microsoft Office Specialist certification...with Office Specialist, we give these students a credential they can use in the future."

Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Gives Latin Youth Skills to Achieve Educational and Career Goals
Middle school students who earn certifications extend their knowledge to other students, families

September 2008
Thanks to Microsoft® Office Specialist certification—the official worldwide certification for Microsoft Office programs—and the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), MacFarland Middle School students in Washington, D.C., are learning valuable computing skills that will broaden their academic futures and prepare them for employment in the U.S. capital.

BACKGROUND
The LAYC is a non-profit, multi-cultural network of youth centers and schools that supports youth and their families with social services; work skills, advocacy and residential programs and opportunities for educational, professional and personal success. For six years, Abner Soto, LAYC computer instructor, has taught basic, intermediate and advanced computing skills to thousands of low-income youth and adults at centers and schools in Washington, D.C. and Maryland. For the past eight months, he has worked closely with several 13 and 14-year-old students from MacFarland Middle School who have been in the United States for less than four years and are improving their English.

"After learning basic computing skills, we started working toward Microsoft Office Specialist certification," Soto said. "Microsoft Office is very important, and everybody wants to know it. People in this area want to work for the government, and the government is looking for certification. With Office Specialist, we give these students a credential they can use in the future."

PROCESS
Ten students are currently participating in the LAYC course, an extra-curricular, after-school class that meets each Monday, Wednesday and Friday for one hour at MacFarland Middle School. To be involved, students must commit to be responsible, present and on time at all classes. The curriculum is based on Office Specialist exam objectives, Microsoft Office Specialist Approved Courseware from Microsoft Press and DDC Training Services and a review test Soto creates for each exam objective. Monies from Verizon Foundation; AT&T Foundation; the League of United Latin American Citizens and Washington, D.C. city agencies support the course's instructors, courseware, equipment and exams.

Following an introduction to computers, Soto and his colleague Horacio Olivas Baca, LAYC after-school program coordinator, worked carefully with students to prepare them for their first Office Specialist exam. "I taught based on the skills the students needed," Soto said. "Practice tests helped reinforce the skills and helped them get used to the timing of the actual exam. The students have every thing they need, and they use it."

Soto said convincing the students Office Specialist certification would be worthwhile was easy. "We told them the certification is an excellent opportunity," he said. "With Microsoft Word certification, they can participate in the Summer Youth Employment Program working as assistants, helping others and getting paid. Plus, certification is good for their résumés and can earn them credit in college. They quickly said ‘yes.’"

"As we talked more about the certification and how it's free, I was really excited to join the class," said Lino Blanco, 13. "I was interested in computers before, but this after-school elective makes me want to study as much as I can."

Soto’s and Olivas’ teaching and motivation has helped four students already earn Office Specialist certification in Microsoft Word; other students are preparing to take the test in the next few months.

"The exam was a little hard, but I passed," said Luis Reyes, 14, who aspires to attend high school, college and law school. "The instructor and my teachers encouraged me a lot. I was nervous."

But with each passing score, the students proved their competency in the Microsoft Office system of business productivity programs. "I am fascinated with computers, and I want to keep learning," said Reyes, who hopes to certify in Microsoft PowerPoint® next. "Using Microsoft Word, I can do everything. I am the first to get my projects done when my teachers assign them. I am organized and fast. I help my friends, too. They are impressed with my knowledge."

Jose Preza, 13, said he uses computers in his other classes—now without extra help from his teachers. "Earning Microsoft Word certification helped me appreciate computers more," he said. "I am able to do any kind of writing work because I can use Word. I can work in an office and get a job."

RESULT
As Ho-yu Gakuin High School teachers leverage college professors to prepare students for IC³, both schools, as well as the high-school students, benefit from shared teaching techniques and the administrative tools available in Benchmark. "I like to strengthen the collaboration with the high school teachers by giving feedback using Mentor reports," Sato said. "I also plan to visit the school to observe the IC³ classes."

“The biggest outcome of this collaboration has been receiving training from outside of the school that inspired students and motivated learning,” Chimura said.

The two schools have started a blog to easily exchange information about IC³ courses and exams. "Through comments about our classes, we receive input from the college," Chimura said. "It helps enhance the relationship between us."

In addition, Nippon Engineering College’s increased exposure to Ho-yu Gakuin High School students helps the college recruit prospective students with the digital skills required of higher education.

ABOUT CERTIPORT
Certiport prepares individuals with current and relevant digital skills and credentials for the competitive global workforce. These solutions are delivered by more than 12,000 Certiport Centers worldwide and include Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), the official Microsoft® Office certification programs and the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program.