T&I Home | T&I Index | Oklahoma Skills USA Index

Oklahoma SkillsUSA American Degree Information

Last Revised: 24 November, 2008

Enclosed is additional information to assist your students in achieving his/her American Degree during the State SkillsUSA Conference.

PLEASE READ THE ATTACHED NOTEBOOK GUIDELINES FOR THE AMERICAN  DEGREE VERY CAREFULLY. INSTEAD OF THE DOCUMENTATION FOR COMPETENCY IN SKILL TRAINING, THE APPLICANTS WILL NEED TO PREPARE A PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIO!! STUDENTS RECEIVE HALF OF THEIR POINTS FROM THESE 2 ITEMS. (See attached judges rating sheets)

Students should bring notebooks with them to the holding room.  DO NOT bring to headquarters. Please read the attached guidelines for completion of notebook!

• Due to the large number of American Degree Applications two interview/testing times have been assigned, as follows:

  • Thursday, April 24 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for State Officers and students competing in an Occupational Skill Contest.

  • Friday, April 25 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. for students who are in a Leadership Contest or are a Voting Delegate.

  Testing/holding area for Thursday is in the Remington Room at the Doubletree Hotel. The same room will be used for all events on Friday. The test will consist of a standardized 50 question multiple choice test covering all five levels of SkillsUSA's Professional Development Program.

• The interview will cover all five levels of SkillsUSA's Professional Development Program.

• Students must receive 80% of the total score or 320 points for the American Degree. (See attached Judges Rating Sheet)

• Seating will be reserved for American Degree Candidates during the General Session on Friday, May 4th at 7:00 p.m. in the Arena of the Tulsa Convention Center.

• Students will be REQUIRED to sit in reserved seating, in order to speed up the General Session. After they receive their award they may sit with their school.

Good luck with the interview and test. If you have any questions, please call!

Students must document their achievements by compiling a notebook for the American Degree. Notebooks are reviewed by the local program advisory committee and a state PDP committee.

Here are guidelines for compiling your notebook:

1. The notebook should be a 1" or 1.5,' three-ring binder. It can be an 
    official SkillsUSA binder purchased from the SkillsUSA 
    Supply Service, or any similar notebook.

2. The notebook must have a title page with the following:

• Name

• Address

• Age

• Training program

• Instructor's name

• School name, address, city, state and ZIP code

3. The notebook must have a table of contents. There should be a 
    separate page or section for each assignment, activity or report. 
    Materials should be presented in the competency order given the
    Professional Development Program, Level 5 Student Workbook:

4. A professional portfolio must be presented to quality for the American 
    Degree. Portfolios must contain the following:

· Self-assessment essays, checklist, drawings, activities

· Student-kept progress charts/workbook achievement sheet

· Photos, videos or write-ups of projects

· Documentation of community service projects (certificates, 
   photos)

· Best samples of math papers

· Quality samples of writing/speeches, lesson plans or 
   professional journal reports

· Samples of quality work such as photos, drawings, videos or 
   media presentations

· Individual program task list/competency profile

· Career exploration and planning

· Letters of recommendation

· Research projects

· Resume'

· Cover letter

· Checklist for job search

· School activities, awards and achievements

· Certificates, licenses, achievement records or transcripts

· A summary of mentoring experience

5. All materials must be neatly printed or typed. You may include work 
    sheets from this book if they are neat. Otherwise, copy or type all 
    material.

6. Additional information may be included for each assignment, including  
    evidence of planning and implementation, letters of verification, news 
    releases and photographs.

7. Work closely with your instructor in compiling your notebook, but do all 
    of the work yourself.  A team report may be submitted as one section, but each  student notebook should be unique to the individual student.

Oklahoma SkillsUSA Web
This page maintained by dfran@okcareertech.org
Last update 24 November 2008
Top of Page | T&I Home | OK SkillsUSA Home