PRA                                                                              

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Ohio Department of Education Awards Industry Credentials!

 

OPRA and OADSP are excited to announce that the Ohio Department of Education has listed OADSP's DSPaths Certificate of Initial Proficiency and Certificate of Advanced Proficiency on its list of Approved Industry Credentials. 

 

"Only eight new credentials were awarded this year, and OADSP received two of them," stated Dr. David Bruce, Ohio Department of Education.  As many of you know, OADSP and OPRA have partnered to expose high school juniors and seniors to the field of developmental disabilities through the Community Connections Career Partnership- Ohio program.  This is a program that combines classroom education (through the DSPaths curriculum) and a year-long internship program; culminating with the students developing a portfolio that demonstrates their ability in a variety of DSP competency areas, and earning a credential upon the successful completion of the course.

 

What does this mean?

 

The Ohio Department of Education has established new graduation requirements for those students graduating in 2018, and beyond, and have identified three options to satisfy graduation requirements that show readiness for next steps in college and careers.  All students are required to take and complete a minimum of 20 required credits, AND meet one of the following three requirements:

 

1.  Ohio's State Tests
Students earn a cumulative passing score of 18 points, using seven end-of-course state tests. To ensure students are well rounded, they must earn a minimum of four points in math, four points in English and six points across science and social studies.

 

2.  College and career readiness tests
Students earn "remediation-free" scores in English language arts and mathematics on a nationally recognized college admission exam. The state of Ohio will pay one time for all 11th grade students in the classes of 2018 and beyond to take either the ACT or SAT free of charge. The student's district selection applies to all schools in the district for one school year. Test selection may change from one school year to the next.

 

3.  Industry credential and workforce readiness
Students earn 12 points through a State Board of Education-approved, industry-recognized credential or group of credentials in a single career field and achieve a workforce readiness score on the WorkKeys assessment. The state of Ohio will pay one time for those who take the WorkKeys assessment.

 

OADSP's CIP and CAP credentials falls into the 3rd category listed that will now enable high school students to earn their diploma in an alternative manner to traditional testing.

 

Both OPRA and OADSP are excited for the potential of this new "pathway to graduation" that is certain to help us build a strong, competent workforce. More information about this program, and how providers can become involved will be shared over the next few months.  OPRA and OADSP will be working closely with schools on implementation strategies for the 2017-2018 school year.

 

Contact Information:

 

Janice Hall

OPRA Community Connections Career Partnership- Ohio Project Coordinator

jhall@opra.org

 

Bethany Toledo

OADSP Executive Director

btoledo@oadsp.org

 

 

© Copyright 2016 Ohio Alliance of Direct Support Professionals

 

 

OADSP, PO Box 218145, Columbus, OH 43221

 

 

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