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The WorkKeys Program was developed to assist educational assistants (EAs) in fulfilling the requirements outlined in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The program involves a three step process: the KeyTrain Tutoring, the WorkKeys Academic Assessment, and the Pedagogy Assessment.
STEP 1: KeyTrain Tutoring
KeyTrain tutoring is the first step in the WorkKeys Program, which is designed to assist educational assistants in fulfilling the No Child Left Behind Act requirements. KeyTrain curriculum provides instruction and practice in the basic skills of reading, writing, and math. Participants in this tutoring portion of the WorkKeys Program have curriculum provided in a workbook format.
STEP 2: WorkKeys Assessment
After a WorkKeys Program participant finishes with the KeyTrain tutoring, they are prepared to take the WorkKeys Assessment. The assessment is an academic test that is broken down into three sections: applied mathematics, audio-based writing, and reading for information. The assessment is the second step toward achievement of a WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate.
STEP 3: Pedagogy Assessment
The last step is the Pedagogy Assessment, which is an evaluation of teaching abilities. Due to the nature of the Pedagogy Assessment, it is scheduled on an individual basis.
WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate
Once a participant has finished the assessments with passing scores, that participant is awarded a WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate.
ESEA/NCLB Requirements (I.D.E.A.) back to the top
Educational Assistants working in Title I and Special Needs schools and programs will have to satisfy the academic requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) or the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) to be “highly qualified” by June 30, 2006. “Highly qualified” is defined as meeting one of the following:
1. Completion of at least two years of post-secondary study, consisting of 72 credit hours, 48 semester units; or
2. Obtaining an associate’s or higher degree; or
3. Meeting a rigorous standard of quality and demonstrating, through a formal state or local academic assessment, knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing reading, writing, and mathematics.
It is the goal of your Union to provide the information and assistance needed for each EA to satisfy the NCLB educational requirements. After surveying 4,000 EAs, it was determined that the skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to perform the duties of an Educational Assistant in Title I and Special Needs programs are similar to those in the ACT job profile for Teachers Aide I and II. ACT considers an average of 4 as the standard score for work skills and knowledge in both math and reading, and an average of 3 in writing. The academic standard of these averages is considered reasonable and obtainable for EAs working in these programs. To accomplish this goal, OSEA will be providing members with an academic refresher program called KeyTrain, along with the ACT WorkKeys Assessment.
About KeyTrain Tutoringback to the top
KeyTrain is a nationally recognized instructional program. This OSEA-sponsored academic refresher is designed to help participants brush up on their skills and reinforce their knowledge in the subject areas of math, reading, and writing.
KeyTrain Training Information
The training is interactive and self-paced. It is available through a workbook format. KeyTrain curriculum includes instruction and practice in the basic skills of reading, writing, and math as well as pre-tests and post-tests in these subject areas. KeyTrain has several instructional levels within each subject area, which allows participants to refresh and improve their skills, abilities, and knowledge. The KeyTrain instructional program trains-to-the-test (WorkKeys Academic Assessment).
Getting Started on KeyTrain
OSEA is offering KeyTrain statewide to school districts and Educational Assistants. Registration is available by calling the OSEA Education & Training Office at 1-800-252-6732. Please allow seven business days for processing and shipping materials. (OSEA is currently marketing this program to school districts to assist EAs in paying for the program.)
Workbook Cost: The cost of the workbook is $85. This provides the participant with a physical workbook and necessary training and support. Time frame for completion of workbook is unlimited. The workbooks are copyright protected and should not be copied or shared. OSEA purchased a license to be able to offer these materials at this cost. Copying or sharing outside this license is a violation of copyright law.
Individuals should include payment with their request. Checks should be made payable to OSEA. Materials will be mailed upon receipt of payment.
How the Program Works
Participants work at their own pace. Workbooks are for participants to keep. There is also a Spanish version available at the same cost, upon request. Participants can go through the program as many times as necessary. Supplemental tutoring services will be made available through OSEA for any district requesting these services. Tutor support is generally scheduled in three hour sessions.
Curriculum
Reading for Information (5 levels)
This is the skill of reading and understanding common workplace documents. These include letters, manuals, procedures, and memos. KeyTrain examines the essential aspects of understanding and applying information given in these practical situations based on realistic work experiences.
Applied Mathematics (5 levels)
Applied mathematics is the skill of applying mathematical reasoning and problem-solving techniques. The program begins with a practice and review of the basic concepts of mathematical operations, including money, time, measurements, proportions and ratios, fractions and decimals, negative numbers, and percentages. Each level is progressively more difficult than the last. Level 6 and 7 include area and volumes, production rates, determining best deals, multiple unknowns, troubleshooting errors, and nonlinear graphs.
Writing (5 levels)
This portion of the training teaches spelling, punctuation, and sentence structure. In addition, elements such as organized information, vocabulary, and proofreading will be covered. Participants demonstrate their ability to compose a grammatically-correct written message from the information given.
WorkKeys Tests and Assessmentsback to the top
OSEA will provide an opportunity for participants to take ACT’s WorkKeys assessment at OSEA-sponsored education/training events. Other assessment opportunities may be provided upon request. Academic testing is scheduled in four hours blocks to accommodate all three subject areas, although it is not required to take all three assessments at the same time. Those who have registered and paid for the KeyTrain Program will only be charged the base fee of $30 if they choose to take all three WorkKeys Assessments. Anyone “challenging” the WorkKeys Assessment (choosing not to prepare before-hand with the KeyTrain program) will be charged $55. Tutoring services are not available for those challenging the assessment. They are provided as a supplement to the purchase of the KeyTrain Program.
The WorkKeys Pedagogyback to the top
Instructional Techniques Demonstration/Evaluation
The pedagogy piece to satisfy the NCLB is being offered by using a checklist of demonstrated skills, knowledge, and abilities. An evaluator observes the Educational Assistant in the performance of his or her duties of instruction and score using a rating scale of 1 to 5 during the demonstration of skills, knowledge, and ability to instruct students as assigned.
OSEA has been instrumental in the development of this pedagogy assessment. Educational Assistants from OSEA were asked to help design and validate this assessment tool to be offered nationally by ACT, WorkKeys Assessments.
WorkKeys Proficiency Certificateback to the top
ACT confirms successful completion of both the academic assessment, with scores averaging 4 in math and reading, and 3 in writing; and a passing score on the pedagogy evaluation, then generates and mails the WorkKeys Proficiency Certificate for Teachers’ Assistants. The certificate costs $10.
Requests for copies of test scores and/or certificates will be charged a replacement fee of $20
Local education agencies can refer potential new EAs that need to take the assessment to OSEA at 1-800-252-6732.
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