Earlier this month, ACT completed its second study on Nevada State High School’s use of ACT’s WorkKeys assessments, with a third currently being conducted on this year’s data. NSHS was selected for these studies due to its pre- and post-testing on WorkKeys to determine why the post-test data is higher than the national average.
The study findings, which can be viewed online, show that the new curriculum has some difficulties with reporting. NSHS staff is engaged with ACT on working out those flaws and creating a reporting tool that can hold disengaged students accountable and definitively determine the curriculum’s impact.
NSHS has always framed its structure around “college INTO career readiness,” which differs from the typical “college AND career readiness.” This essential difference is due to the fact that a high school diploma — and even some college degrees — is no longer enough to get a career that can support a moderate standard of living. Dr. Wendi Hawk, Chief Academic Officer at NSHS, said, “NSHS has been using WorkKeys since 2007 to provide a triple asset for its students: the highest standard in the state for a high school diploma, college credits with no college remedial needs, and an ACT National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) for employment. Most well-paying jobs require some sort of college/training after high school, whether that is through a technical certificate, an associate’s degree, a bachelor’s degree, or higher education. The NCRC backs these educational levels up to make NSHS graduates the most marketable for positions.”
The NCRC is a nationally recognized certificate for employment that shows students have the potential to be successful at their chosen careers. Some employers in Nevada will hire interns and even pay to educate employees that have proven their potential. Clark County in particular is moving to become a Work Ready Community, with many employers looking to prioritize hiring and promotions based on the NCRC. (You can view the full list of employers and show your support here.) Students who attend Nevada State High School and receive the NCRC are strong candidates for future employment — just another way that NSHS helps graduates succeed after high school.
