The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is a nationally recognized certification that indicates an achievement level of essential workplace readiness skills. The ACT WorkKeys curriculum helps to prepare students for assessments relating to applied math, graphic literacy, and workplace documents. 

Assessments are scored on a 1-7 level. The four achievement levels are often aligned with entry level positions across industry sectors for different types of jobs and professions. Below is a chart that illustrates the alignment among the NCRC Achievement Level, score and estimated percentage of occupations that align with each NCRC score level.

About Arkansas ACT 319

Arkansas ACT 319 was passed by Arkansas Legislators during the 2021 session. It focuses on implementation of College and Career Readiness Assessments in Arkansas high schools. Effective with the current 2021-2022 school year, it states:

 “A public school that serves a student in grades 10-12 shall administer College and Career Readiness Assessments, including a career readiness assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate, as determined by the state board, to each student before he or she graduates from high school.” The National Career Readiness Certificate has been identified by the Arkansas State Board of Education as the nationally recognized work readiness certificate for Arkansas public schools’ students.

About ACT WorkKeys Communities

The ACT WorkKeys Communities program is a national initiative developed by the ACT, Inc. It is designed to increase awareness among business/industry, workforce development, K-12 and post-secondary education and other stakeholders about essential career readiness skills. There are three key goals of the program identified by ACT, Inc.:

• Link workforce development to education
• Align with the economic development needs of communities, regions, and states
• Match individuals to jobs based on skill levels
  Source: ACT, Inc. https://www.workreadycommunities.org/index/about

The ACT 319 and the ACT WorkKeys Communities program are two key factors that have the potential to increase the opportunities for high school students to obtain the National Career Readiness Certification; for business and industries within the Northwest Arkansas region to increase the number of skilled workers; and for workforce development entities to help make connections among all stakeholders. More information about ACT WorkKeys Communities, including Arkansas communities and businesses that participate in the program, can be found at https://www.workreadycommunities.org/AR. 

Commitment to Career Readiness and Work-Based Learning

Rogers Public Schools is committed to preparing students for college and careers following high school graduation. In addition to over twenty-seven career programs offered to high school students, the ACT WorkKeys curriculum and career readiness assessment have been part of career readiness and work-based learning courses since 2017.

Below is a graphic that illustrates National Career Readiness Certification data for the past four years.  RPS is expanding the opportunities for all high school students to participate in the ACT WorkKeys curriculum and obtain the National Career Readiness Certification.