Barbara Tondre asked about my work developing a test prep class for the
National Work Readiness Credential test.

The state of MN decided to support the National Work Readiness Credential
about a year ago.  My Adult Basic Ed program, St. Paul Adult Literacy, was
one of 7 pilot sites around the state that was funded to provide a test
prep course and referral system to prepare candidates who wish to earn the
credential.

I took the NWRC test, read the research and, together with St. Paul Adult
Literacy colleagues, put together an online test prep course.  Our course
is not a skills building class, but rather one that allows the candidate an
opportunity to use basic skills in the way they are tested on the NWRC
test.  As much as we could, we replicated the format of the actual NWRC
test demos published by the test vendor. I felt this was necessary because
a major hurdle for our earliest candidates was the fact that the NWRC test
is an online test.  Computer skills, like mousing, scrolling and using an
online calculator were  big problems.

During class time students work independently, but are supported by a
teacher as they work through the test prep material.  Students who are not
ready for the course (need too much skills development) are referred back
to ABE programs (preGED,ESL, etc.)  I think students need to be reading at
about a 6th grade level to do well on the NWRC exam.  I created short
pretest for each unit to confirm that candidates are ready for the test
prep course.  Most students have finished all of the material in about 12
hours.

We are still in the early stages of the pilot.  Our biggest problem so far
has been getting students to take the class.  Referral agencies are not
really pushing it (something to do with the fact that course hours can't
yet satisfy public assistance/job training requirements).  Similarly, many
students are very focused on GED and see it as a task that would divert
them from that goal. (BTW - I see it as a sort of bridging credential. It's
different, testing employability, not academic skills.)

What we need is a big business here to embrace the credential & favor
applicants who have it.  We're plugging away.  I think it's worth the
effort.
For more info on the test and the research behind the credential, go to

www.castleworldwide/nwrc   or workreadiness.org


Happy New Year.

Jen Vanek
St. Paul Adult Literacy