Ag Education Competency Testing

State competency tests are summative tests that are in alignment with the skills standards that cover a number of specific agriculture and agriculture related areas taught in Ag Ed.   The skills, knowledge, and competencies in each skills standards lists was developed by  business and industry together with Ag Ed instructors.  The testing process is directed by the Oklahoma Department of Careertech for the purpose of credibility and test security. Only the testing liaison in your school can order and administer state competency tests.

The purpose of competency testing is to:

• provide instructors with a guide for instruction
• provide students with a measure of skill readiness
• provide instructors with feedback on student progress

What tests are available?

• Agriculture Education I - This test corresponds with the Ag I curriculum and does not count toward the Career Passport

            46001 Agriculture Education I: Core

• Forestry

          46905 Forestry Aide

• Equine

          26102 General Equine Assistant

• Horticulture (4 separate areas)

          36201 Florist Assistant

          36202 Nursery Technician

          36203 Field Technician

          36204 Landscape Maintenance Technician

• Animal Science

          46101 Animal Production Assistant

• Veterinary Assisting

          38619 Veterinary Assistant

• Agriculture Power and Technology (Ag Welding) ( 2 separate areas)

          46903 Welding Technician

          46902 Small Gas Engine Technician

• Agricultural Communication

          46904 Entry Level Ag. Communications Specialist

• Agricultural Finance

           46901 Agricultural Finance Intern
 

• Meat & Poultry Processing

           46906 Meat Processor

• Natural Resources: ( 4 separate areas)

   

  46325: Range & Soils

  46326: Environmental

  46327: Wildlife Emphasis

  46328: Parks & Recreation

   

• Plant & Soil Sciences:  ( 2 separate areas)

  46301: Agronomics Specialist

  46302: Soils Specialist

   

What incentives are there for me and my students?

• Testing provides the instructor with feedback on student progress and ways to improve their program.
• Students can obtain a competency certificate which enables them to receive a passport (except Agricultural Education I) and be recognized at the State FFA Convention.
• Also, as graduation requirements increase, it provides accountability for credit.
• The occupational written test scores are an indication of occupational strengths and weaknesses and will also assist instructors in remediation of students in areas that need improvement.
• Redlands Community College offers advanced standing college credit for successful completion on some state competency tests.

How do I order tests? How do I send them back? How much does it cost?

• Testing can be done in two ways:

    1.  Online testing

• Testing liaisons must complete ODCTE training to use this method.  This is the method recommended by our office.  It is less trouble, easier to administer, and results are immediate.

• Competency certificates may be printed through the online system

    2.  Packets ordered through ODCTE testing division

• Tests are ordered through the testing liaison at the school.
• The testing liaison is the only one who can order tests.
• The liaison places the order through the Testing Division by mail; by fax: 405-743-6885; or by phone: 405-743-6828. 
• The testing liaison administers the test.
• The testing liaison returns the tests to the Testing Division.
• The testing liaison receives the results to distribute to the instructor and student only.
• There is no charge for the tests or return envelopes.
• Scantron sheets are 50 sheets per package.
• Competency certificates are 25 per package.
• The role of the testing liaison is to communicate with students, instructors, administrators and ODCTE.
• They are to disseminate coaching report to students and instructors.
• Skills standards may be downloaded free of charge from our website:  www.okcareertech.org/testing

Who gives the tests?

• Testing liaisons administer all competency tests. 
• Instructors should not read, evaluate or take the test.
• Also, instructors should not answer content-specific questions for students during test administration.
• If a special needs student requires the test be read to them, a staff person other than the instructor should administer the test.

Who grades the tests?

• They are returned to the Testing Division at ODCTE for scanning.
• On-line test results are immediate.

Who gets the results?

• All results are mailed directly to the testing liaison who should provide these results to the appropriate instructor immediately.
• Group results should go to the instructor.
• Individual results should be given to the student.
• The results give a duty breakdown to be used as a study aide and for personal evaluation.

How long does it take to get the results?

• The timeline goal for returning results is 2 weeks.
• One to 5 days mail time each way is normal.
• The average turn around time at ODCTE is 3 days with 51% being returned within 2 days.

What happens if a student does not pass?

• Remediation should occur for the duties they are deficient in, then they should retest.

What about career passports and competency certificates?

• The Career Passport is a document which verifies that a student has met:
• rigorous state standards for educational skills as evidenced by a diploma or GED;
• program completion;
• competency attainment;
• academic preparation based upon minimum state course requirements;
• evidence of meeting local attendance requirements;
• preparation of a resume. 
• Passport recipients are encouraged to seek industry-endorsed credentials, certificates or licenses to supplement their passports.
• Reaching competency for an occupational test is a requirement in order to obtain a career passport.
• Not every student will qualify for the Career Passport.
• Once the 6 components listed above have been attained, students can use the passport to communicate educational and occupational credentials to potential employers or postsecondary educational institutions.
• Because the career passport is a standardized folder awarded to students meeting high standards, it will be recognized by industry as a symbol of quality.

For those who think the tests are 'unfair', 'too hard/easy', or created by 'a foreign entity' they should be reminded that the tests are written and reviewed by the instructors themselves. They are also encouraged to participate in skills standards development committees as the tests are derived from the curriculum and skills standards list content areas.

Sample testing procedure:

Purpose - The purpose for state occupational competency testing is to validate the content, skills and knowledge being taught in the agricultural education programs.  The curriculum, skills standards, and the state competency tests have all been validated by business and industry.  The goal of the program should be that every student completing the program exit with the skills and knowledge that has prepared them for work, higher education, or both.  The State competency tests can be used as a tool to assess the above goal.

In addition, utilizing the state competency tests can assist in meeting part of the Carl Perkins requirements.

Testing Suggestions:

Agriscience I courses are a pre-requisite to all other agricultural education courses.  Upon completion of the Agriscience I, students should be given the Agriculture Education I test.  

Agricultural education students in grades 10-12 have this time to explore and focus in on an area of study which they have a career or personal interest.  These interests should be the targets for state competency testing.  Students can take a state competency test at any time during their study in agricultural education.  It is recommended that the agricultural education instructor review the skills standards for the area of student interest and evaluate the student's knowledge and skills to ensure the student is ready to take the test.

As a general rule, the student should only be allowed to take the test when the instructor feels the student is ready; multiple times. Students not meeting state standards on the competency tests should be remediated before additional testing.

Note:  The state competency tests are a test of cognitive knowledge.  It is the instructor's responsibility to verify the hands-on skills.  It is recommended that the student not take the state competency test before the instructor has passed the student in regard to the hands-on skills of that particular area.

Recommended time frame for testing:

¨       Test Agriscience I students in late March and, for those who did not pass, who have been remediated, and desire to re-test, again in late April.

¨       Occupational tests can be given at any time.  It is recommended that the school testing liaison meet with the instructors to arrange a regular interval for testing.

Career Passport: 

A career passport can be obtained for agricultural education students who meet all requirements set forth by the state agency.  These students are recognized at the State FFA Convention in April.

For additional information on state competency testing contact the agricultural education division of the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education at 1-800-522-5810 ext.493.

Any further questions can be directed to Lori Laufer, Assessment Specialist, ODCTE, 1-405-743-6803 or llauf@okcareertech.org or to the Ag Ed Staff 1-405-743-5493.

(Ag Ed Home Page)

Page updated 12/26/2007
WebTech: dmurr@okcareertech.org