No Title 2809
Evaluating a school or program
Many employers are now looking at a new way to evaluate a potential employee’s work readiness. Two national certifications can be earned to demonstrate your abilities. They have similar names and purposes, so it can be a little confusing. Check with the employer to see which certification is preferred.
National Career Readiness Certificate—NCRC
Debuted in September 2006 from ACT, more than a million certificates have been issued. As well as measuring cognitive skills, NCRC Plus ranks individuals in four soft-skills categories. NCRC also offers a monthly Coffee Break e-mail that provides updates on WorkKeys and the National Career Readiness Certificate. To learn more, go to www.act.org/certificate.
National Work Readiness Credential—NWRC
This credential is issued by the National Work Readiness Council. The skills profile and test measure what they call “value creating relationships.” These include situational judgment, oral language, reading with understanding, and using math to solve problems. The Web-based proctored assessment was derived from an applied research project with entry-level workers and frontline managers across industry sectors. To learn more, go to www.workreadiness.com.
Evaluating a school or program
Before you hand over any money to anyone for education, consider all your options and think through whether this is the best choice for you. What’s best for someone else may not be right for you.
The Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority has compiled a list of questions to ask about any school you are considering. We are reprinting this list with permission. It is included in their publication Adults Returning to School: 2011-2012 Guide to Higher Education for Adult Students.
School Evaluation Form from Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
1. Does the school offer the educational program you want?
2. If you’re admitted to the school, are you also admitted to the educational program you want?
3. Is the school accredited by an agency accepted by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., Southern Association of Colleges and Sciences, Council on Occupational Education, Accrediting Commission of Career School and Colleges of Technology, National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences, American Association of Bible Colleges)?
4. Is the school licensed or approved by the appropriate state government agency (e.g., Council on Postsecondary Education, State Board for Proprietary Education, State Board of Hairdressers and Cosmetologists, State Board of Barbering, Kentucky Board of Embalmers and Funeral Directors)?
5. Is the school approved by federal and state financial aid programs?
6. Does the school have the resources to provide you the education you need to be successful? Look for up-to-date training devices, developmental course work and/or tutorial assistance, general education courses (e.g., English and math), educational qualifications of the faculty, and library holdings and resources related to your field of study.
7. Will completion of the program qualify you for a job? An exam and/or apprenticeship may also be required. If a licensing exam is required in your career field (e.g., nursing, cosmetology, or law), do a high percentage of the school’s graduates pass the exam?
8. Does the school have a free job placement program? Are a high percentage of graduates placed in a job? Recent graduates and potential employers can help you answer these questions. A good school will give you a list of contacts.
9. Does the typical starting salary for a new graduate of the school’s educational program compare favorably with that of graduates from the same educational program at other schools? Does it meet with your expectation? If the school provides such data, ask to see detailed statistics substantiating the school’s claim.
10. Does the enrollment contract contain language to protect you if the school closes or discontinues your program? Call the Better Business Bureau in the area to find out if the school has had problems.
11. Does the school have a printed refund policy? Good schools have a reasonable refund arrangement for students who withdraw from school.
12. Does the school have a low withdrawal rate? A high rate may be a warning sign.
13. Will credits earned at the school transfer to another?
14. Does the school have a low student loan default rate? Call the U.S. Department of Education at (800) 433-3243 to check a school’s default rate. A high default rate may be a warning sign.
15. How much will you have to borrow at this school? You need to compare the cost of repaying loans with what you’ll earn when you finish.
Reprinted by permission from the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority publication Adults Returning to School: 2011-2012 Guide to Higher Education for Adult Students.
To read the Kentucky Living February 2012 feature that goes along with this supplement, go to Customizing Your Higher Education.
