Janell Waid Program Coordinator Certifications Offered Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³)   Certiport Center Ball State University Outreach Services Site Location Indianapolis, Indiana

In her own words: "We were able to channel ... energy into learning and certification. IC³ is [the] first step toward additional certifcations."

Ball State University Trains and Certifies High School Special Education Students in Basic Computing Skills

Special education students earn IC³ certification and gain confidence and valuable job skills during intense training and testing program

Nine high school special education students recently received basic computer skills training and seven earned the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®) credential. The opportunity, which was sponsored by the Ball State University Outreach Services Site, WorkOne Express, Interlocal Association, and the Hamilton/Boone/Madison Special Services Co-op, provided students a rare opportunity to build confidence, gain hands-on computer skills, and qualify for future employment.

BACKGROUND
When WorkOne, a job placement service in Fishers, Indiana, found itself with excess grant funds from the Workforce Investment Act, they approached the Ball State University Outreach Services Site, an extension office of Ball State University, for assistance. Together, the university and local workforce development and special services organizations discussed options to meet the needs of 16 to 18 year-old special education students with disabilities from local high schools.

As they discussed the needs of the students they were serving, computer skills training options were proposed. Stephanie Huffman, Outreach Services Site director, suggested they expand the computer skills training to include IC³. County and workforce development representatives agreed it was a great—although challenging—idea. “We knew we had our work cut out for us,” Huffman said.

Ball State University Outreach Services Site has been a Certiport Center for almost one year. Previously it offered Microsoft® Office Specialist certifications to its students; more than 300 students have been certified. Janell Waid, program coordinator, said adding IC³ to the university’s existing certification offerings was an easy transition. In addition, she said providing testing in the same location where they provide training has eased students into the testing process and has resulted in higher success rates.

In a meeting prior to the proposed computer skills training for the special education students, parents quickly realized the value of the training and certification their children were about to receive.

PROCESS
“We were careful to select kids with interests in technology,” Huffman said. Three adults from local high schools-an Office Specialist trainer, a special education teacher, and a teaching assistant-were recruited to teach computer hardware, software, networks, and Internet skills. An additional teaching aide was hired by Ball State University to assist them. This four-person team structured the training program into group and task-oriented modules. The weeklong, boot-camp-style class consisted of 37.5 rigorous hours of training. Desktop personal computers and laptops were available for hands-on learning, and students were encouraged to take the computers apart and put them back together to experiment as they learned.

Incentives were built into the training and testing to keep the students interested and encouraged. For example, students were offered $100 for attending the weeklong training workshop and an additional $100 for earning IC³ certification. Ball State University also pitched in briefcases, t-shirts, baseball caps, and other school-logo items to offer rewards throughout the experience. “We tried to make the training fun,” Huffman said.

Students started their training in the areas where they already had experience. Instructors provided constant encouragement as students worked through the IC³ exam objectives, practice tests, and exams. Electronic and hard copy textbooks were available, but the instruction was kept very “hands on” to meet student needs.

“They were encouraged to help each other, which reinforced what was being taught,” Waid said. “They felt good. They really found their strengths. It was neat to see them work together.”

The sometimes one-on-one training included basic, intermediate, and advanced practice tests from DDC Training Services. “The practice tests were helpful to give everyone a realistic testing experience,” Waid said. “We found that if students achieved 85 to 90 percent on the practice tests, they were ready to take the IC³ exams. They had a higher rate of success on the exams if they did well on the practice tests. They really helped the students prepare.”

Each morning the lead instructor announced the day's objectives, and students experienced intense instruction until noon. After lunch they reviewed the material again and took exams if they were ready. Days often ended with a friendly, customized game of Jeopardy! to reinforce what was learned that day. By the third day of instruction, one student began making up the Jeopardy! game for the rest of the class. Instructors and students alike teamed up to play. It was a highlight of the experience.

Training materials, incentives, and exam fees were paid for by Workforce Investment Act grant funds.

CERTIFICATION
Seven students participating in the program earned their IC³ credentials. In addition, the students had the opportunity to earn six Indiana Certificates of Technical Achievement (CTAs) for completing computer-related tasks that are relevant in real-work environments. The CTAs were signed by Governor Joe Kernan and were issued by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. Local employers validated the importance of the skills acquired.

The special education teacher participating in the training was very excited by the students' successes. “This population rarely gets the opportunity we gave them,” Huffman said. “It reinforces a lot of what special education teachers tell parents to do for their children. It will assist these students as they later seek employment.”

RESULT
“Although these students are too young to realize it now, I predict they will value IC³ when they go out to get jobs,” Huffman said.

In fact, one student was promised a job if he could earn a relevant certification. “We were able to channel his energy into learning and certification,” Waid said. “IC³ is his first step toward additional certifications like Office Specialist and CompTIA® A+®.”

Becky Branham, Interlocal Association's program director, agreed. “The certification gives a resume-building standard as proof of successful completion of the program. It also provides the foundation necessary to further enhance productivity and marketability with other desktop application-specific certifications.”

If funding is available again, Ball State University hopes to provide this type of training and testing to other candidates. “We look forward to offering certification to other populations, such as dislocated workers,” Huffman said. “Certification gives our clients and partners a return on the investment they make in training. If you attach certification-especially to technology training-you have a definite return on your investment.”

“Certification is also a confidence builder,” Huffman concluded. “When we can add a portable, international credential to our training, it's a definite benefit. It shows a return on the money spent for training.”