WORKKEYS-COMPUTER-BASED TESTING PROFICIENCY CERTIFICATE FOR TEACHER ASSISTANTS WHAT IS THE WORKKEYS PCTA? The Proficiency Certificate for Teacher Assistants (PCTA) is a program that enables paraprofessional teacher assistants and other classroom support staff members, holding their high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, to demonstrate their proficiency in three content areas – reading, writing, and mathematics- as well as their skills in assisting teachers in the classroom, the Instructional Support Inventory (ISI). Through testing and on-the-job observation, teacher assistants and other classroom support staff members can demonstrate knowledge and skill levels in line with what is achieved in two years of postsecondary study. WHY SHOULD I TAKE THE WORKKEYS PCTA ASSESSMENTS? Once the three assessments, reading, writing, mathematics and the ISI, have been successfully completed, a certificate will be issued confirming that the examinee has met the standards for teacher assistant proficiency, therefore satisfying the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) requirement of becoming highly qualified. HOW DO I TAKE THE ASSESSMENTS? Teacher assistants and other classroom support staff members must do a double registration in order to be tested. The first registration will be with WorkKeys and the second registration will be with Tucson Unified School District. Assessments are given using a computer at the designated site (Rogers Elementary School’s computer lab). The assessments are timed. You have 90 days from registration to complete the assessment(s) one time. If the minimum requirement for one of the assessment is not met, then, for an additional fee, that assessment can be retaken. Refer to “How Much Does It Cost?” for pricing of individual tests. IS THIS FOR ONLY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN TUSD EMPLOYMENT? No. We would like to encourage people to take positions within TUSD, however we are a testing site for Southern Arizona. HOW DO I REGISTER? You will need to register in person at the TUSD District Office located at 108 N. Park, Tucson, Arizona 85719. We’re located on the northeast corner of Park and 10th, the little house in the parking lot. There are two parts to the registration. The first registration is with WorkKeys Computer Based Testing and the second registration is with TUSD. Please bring a check or money order for the appropriate amount (see fee structure below). Please make the check or money order to TUSD. Registration Hours – Monday – Friday - 7:30 am – 3:45 pm. Should you have any questions, please call Donna Goble or Rex Averett at (520-225-6584). HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? (No Refunds Available.) Due to price increase by WorkKeys, the whole package now costs $60. When you come to the TUSD District Office (108 N. Park) to register with TUSD please come with a check or money order made to TUSD. Individual assessments can be taken or retaken for the following costs Reading $10 Math $10 Business Writing $20 Instructional Support Inventory (ISI) & Certificate $20
HOW MUCH TIME IS ALLOTTED FOR EACH ASSESSMENTS? Although many participants have not required the entire allotted time, you are permitted the following time allotments: Reading 55 min Math 55 min (calculator will be provided) Business Writing 30 min ISI Worksite observation It is strongly recommended that if you are taking the whole package that you allow extra time to accommodate any unforeseen concerns. WHAT ABOUT THE ISI? (Instructional Support Inventory) The ISI will be done at your worksite by someone who is knowledgeable about your skills, most likely your site administrator or the person(s) he/she designates. HOW LONG ARE MY REGISTRATIONS GOOD FOR? The Reading for Information, Applied Math, Business Writing registrations are good for 90 days. This means that you have 90 days from the date of registration in which to have taken them. The Instructional Support Inventory (ISI) registration is good for 6 months from the day of registration. This allows you settling-into-the-job-time prior to being observed. Should your registrations expire, you will need to register again for the necessary assessment or assessments and pay the fee or fees. WHAT IF I DON’T PASS? Should you NOT successfully complete one or more assessments, those assessments can be retaken jointly or individually. (To complete the assessments successfully in the state of Arizona, you must receive a Level 4 or above in Reading and Math, a Level 3 or above in Writing and an Acceptable or Exceptional on the ISI.) Once you pass a test you do not need to take that portion again. You only need to retake that assessment or assessments that you have not successfully passed. Note: You may take two like tests within a 30 day period, further attempts, you must: • have had some kind of interventions, and • 30 days must have elapsed from the last attempt. Once these criteria are met you can continue taking tests until you pass. WHAT INTERVENTIONS ARE AVAILABLE? Should you unsuccessfully complete one of the assessments, or would like to prepare prior to attempting the assessments you may do so by attending: TUSD’s FREE WorkKeys Study Groups When: Mondays thru Thursdays 3:30 pm – 6:30 pm TAPP Computer Lab (Teenage Parent Alt Middle/High School) 102 N. Plumer 85719 (Intersection of Plumer and Broadway, just north of Broadway) TAPP (520) 225-3250 OR Educational Technology (520) 225-6584
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WHERE DO I TAKE THE WORKKEYS PARAPRO ASSESSMENTS? The testing site for TUSD is at Rogers Elementary School computer lab. Rogers is located at 6000 E. 15th Street Tucson, AZ 85711 (go east on Broadway to Wilmot; turn right (south) on Wilmot to 14th Street; turn right (west). The maximum number of persons that can be tested at one time is 30.
DO I NEED TO BRING ANYTHING TO THE ASSESSMENT SITE? Yes. • Driver’s License or other picture ID • Confirmation of WorkKeys Registration Submitted form & TUSD registration • Social Security number • You may bring a personal calculator, if you are taking the Math portion of the assessments or one will be provided for you. WHEN CAN I TAKE THE ASSESSMENTS? The testing schedule is below. Additional days and times will be added. You can always check the dates by going to http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/, on the right side go to TUSD Calendars – Rogers Lab. Look for WorkKeys ParaPro Testing. It is recommended that you check periodically as the schedule is continuously being updated. November 2008: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20th AT 3:45 PM FOR THE NOVEMBER 22nd TEST. Saturday November 22 December 2008: Saturday December 13 January 2009: Saturday January 24 February 2009: Saturday February 21 March 2009: Saturday March 21 May 2009: Saturday May 16 June 2009: Saturday June 13 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR A JOB? When you have successfully passed the three academic portions of the WorkKeys Parapro Test and have taken your Instant Score Reports to your district’s Human Resource Department, you are eligible to apply for a parapro position.
AFTER I PASS THE THREE ACADEMIC PORTIONS OF THE WORKKEYS PARAPRO WHAT DO I DO TO GET MY CERTIFICATE? 5 STEPS TO CERTIFICATION (The completion of these steps is the responsibility of the Examinee) Step 1: Pass the WorkKeys tests for: • Applied Math • Reading for Information • Business Writing Take your passing Instant Score Reports to Human Resources for processing – you can then apply for a position and begin working. Step 2: After you have a position, call Curriculum and Innovation (520-225-6584) to inform them you are ready for the ISI (Instructional Support Inventory) and give the secretary • Your name • Your district and worksite • Your work site administrator’s name and phone number • Your work site phone number Step 3: A week from your call to Curriculum and Innovation (520-225-6584) you might ask your site administrator if they received a call concerning your ISI. Your site administrator will need to be inserviced on the ISI. It’s still a good idea to stay on top of this. Step 4: Upon successfully completing the three academic tests, and your completion of Steps 2 & 3, an order will be placed for your ISI and certificate. You are qualified to start working upon successfully passing the three academic tests. Due to some changes within WorkKeys, it could take up to a month to receive this order. Please be patient. If after a month from completing Step 2, you have not received the certificate, please call Rex Averett at 520-225-6584 or email him at Rex.Averett@tusd1.org. Step 5: If your district is TUSD, take your WorkKeys Certificate to Alma Robles in the TUSD’s Human Resource Department, 1010 E. 10th Street. If you are outside of TUSD, please check with your site administrator/school district for future steps. NOTE: Your Math, Reading and Writing registrations are good for 90 days from the date of registration. Should your registration expire you will need to register again for the necessary test/s and pay the fee/s. Should you fail a test, you must reregister to take that test: Math and Reading cost $10 each; Writing $20 and the ISI with the Certificate $20. Should you have any questions, contact 520-225-6584 or go online at http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us/ at the bottom of Quick Links: WorkKeys Parapro Testing.
Helpful Links that are aimed in helping you be success with the WorkKeys Parapro Test.
Keyboarding skills:
Touch Typing http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/
Typing Practice http://gwydir.demon.co.uk/jo/typing/index.htm Keyboarding Questions http://www.crews.org/curriculum/ex/compsci/keyboarding/questions.htm TypingTest.com http://www.typingtest.com/default.asp
Math Skills:
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/math_sec.htm