Monroe County School District officials have accepted the challenge to increase the amount of IT industry certifications throughout the district. Monroe Computes benefactors in return have committed $100,000 in rewards for students.
The goal is to increase the number of certifications from 300 the year before to 1,000 in the 2017-2018 school year.
Key West philanthropists John Padget and Jacob Dekker have agreed to donate enough cash for students to be able to continue to receive awards for completing the certification. “We are thrilled that increasing numbers of teachers and students developing their IT skills,” Mr. Padget confirmed. “We have budgeted over $100,000 in awards to support their efforts.”
“We have more students taking more technology courses than ever,” Superintendent Mark Porter explained. “We expect students will qualify for over 1,000 industry certificates in IT this school year.”
<Monroe /> COMPUTE$, which has provided cash incentives to Monroe County School students, has expanded its program to include Microsoft Office, Adobe, and IC3 certifications. IC3 certificates are available starting in 5th and 6th grades, Microsoft certificates in 7th and 8th grades. Additional Microsoft certificates plus Adobe and Apple certificates are available in high school.
Career and Technical Education Director, Dr. Jerry Caputo, explained, “Our largest single program will be the Microsoft Office Specialist, which includes PowerPoint, Word, and Excel. The first 25 students earning this certificate (MICRO069) will earn $500 in prize money, three college credits, and get high school credit for an on-line course.” In addition, Monroe Computes will provide incentives for all Adobe industry certifications.
Superintendent Porter said he is especially impressed by the mobility and flexibility of the program. “Computer-based national testing can be arranged whenever individual students are ready,” Porter explained. “Prizes range from $50 to $500, depending on the certificate.”
CTE officials said students passing the AP Computer Science exam in May will receive $250 from <Monroe /> COMPUTE$ and earn four college credits. Students can get more information from their IT teachers, or contact the office of Career and Technical Education at (305) 293-1400 x 53389.