Published: June 22, 2008 12:18 pm            

DHS prepares students for workforce

DUNCAN — Not only is Duncan High School getting students ready to go off to college, it’s also preparing them to become part of the workforce.

In April, 153 seniors accepted an option to take the WorkKeys test, which measures how prepared students are to enter the work force. Of those students, who weren’t able to prepare for the test, 81 percent received certificates stating the students are to the point they would be successful if they went to work, now.

DHS Assistant Principal Janice Gay said, “It tells you if you’re ready to go to work, much like how the ACT tells you how ready you are for college.”

The high school worked with the Association of South Central Oklahoma Governments to give test. More than 30 states recognize the certification assessment, which test students on reading for information, locating information and applied mathematics. Of DHS students who received certification, 24 percent received the gold certification by scoring at least a Level 5 on the three areas, 39 percent received silver by scoring at least a Level 4 on the three areas and 18 percent received a bronze certification by getting at least a Level 3 on those three areas.

“Career readiness is a concern, not just for our educators but for our businesses,” she said. “Some of our businesses are starting to recognize it.”

Some companies take the certification into account when hiring new employees, assessing workers, and increasing position responsibilities and salaries. For those DHS students who received their certification, they can pick up their certificates in the high school’s main office.

Gay said career readiness has become an issue DHS wants to address because not all students go to college. So, instead of just preparing students to attend a university, the school also has to make sure all students have the skills needed to enter the work force.

She said by having 81 percent of seniors who took the test and received a certificate, people can see how much DHS is working with the students to get them ready for the real world.

“The education they’re receiving here isn’t only showing they’re ready for college, but also preparing them for the work force,” Gay said.

Although the test may show if students are ready for work, she said the school is going to be proactive in getting all students prepared.

Because of this, the school has instituted a KeyTrain program in its junior English classes. KeyTrain will work to prepare students for the WorkKeys test and the work force. This program will go into effect at the start of the 2008-09 school year.

Junior English was chosen because of its proximity to senior year and the fact every student must complete junior English to get a high school diploma, Gay said.

“We chose junior English because all kids have to have it,” she said. “It’s one more benefit for our students.”

While getting this program up and running is something DHS will focus on next year, the full range of the program may not be realized for a ways down the line. She said the most important thing is to get students ready for what follows high school, regardless of the paths they may take.

“We’re doing everything we can,” Gay said. “I’m impressed with 81 percent receiving it.”

        

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