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Highland Students Earn HIgh MOS Achievement

published February 5, 2016Highland Students Earn HIgh MOS Achievement

Highland Students Earn High MOS Achievement

As a continuous improvement institution, Highland Community College personnel are continually looking for ways to improve what they are doing.  As part of a faculty effort to improve classroom instruction, Administrative Assistant program instructor Carrie Miller took advantage of a partnership between the state of Kansas and Certiport and Microsoft.  As a result, Miller’s students had a 100% pass rate in PowerPoint and a 99% pass rate in Word – two software programs -- in the Fall semester. This semester, her students are working toward Excel and Access Certifications.

Last Spring, the state of Kansas purchased certification exams to be used by post-secondary institutions across Kansas. This Fall, the state purchased the G-Metrix practice testing software to go with the certification exams. Each Microsoft program requires a 50-minute project-based examination; to earn the certification students must receive a 70% or higher.  Using classroom lecture/lab work and practice software, Miller’s students have successfully passed certification exams.

According to Certiport and Microsoft, they “are very excited to partner with the state of Kansas to help students develop technology skills through the Microsoft IT Academy program and earn industry recognized certifications that prepare them for college and career.”

The Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification is recognized globally by academia and business as the premier credential for individuals seeking to validate their knowledge, skills, and abilities related to the Microsoft Office applications. MOS certification is the leading IT certification in the world. More than 1 million MOS exams are taken every year in over 140 countries. This examination verifies the taker’s knowledge, skills, and abilities to productively use Microsoft Office. MOS enables students to tap the full features and functionality of the Microsoft Office system, resulting in heightened levels of individual performance, confidence, and differentiation.

In academia, MOS promotes success in the classroom for students and instructors, builds individual distinction, and prepares students for an increasingly competitive workforce.  For business, MOS maximizes office productivity and efficiency for the organization and increases job satisfaction and heightens career achievement among employees.  In workforce development, MOS prepares and places job candidates, ensuring they possess the skills employers require.

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