Tam Adult School

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Adult Education

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Community Education

COMPUTER PROFICIENCY

Student Learning Outcome #3:
Use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems, and communicate ideas.

Why have a computer proficiency requirement?
Use of technology has become one of the basic skills for the 21st century.  Our community has identified technology as one of the 14 Student Outcomes: “Students will be able to use technology as a tool to access information, analyze and solve problems, and to communicate ideas.”

This requirement has been in place for many years and students have been successful in meeting the standards. Increasingly, high school students are being required to keyboard and word process papers and reports, conduct research via telecommunications, prepare PowerPoint presentations, and prepare graphic displays of data. Students who do not have basic computer skills will be at a disadvantage in their course work. We strongly urge students to develop word processing skills prior to high school and/or enroll in “Introduction to Computers” in the ninth grade. However, it is important to remember that this is a graduation requirement. Once a student has met the computer proficiency requirement, there are additional computer courses available to her/him.

How can the computer proficiency requirement be met?
Students must meet the standard for each of the five proficiency areas. The requirements for each component are described in detail (including sample questions and study guides) and can be reached by following the links below:

1. Keyboarding
2. Objective Test (terms and concepts)
3. Word Processing Exercise
4. Spreadsheet Exercise
5. PowerPoint Task

1. Students may enroll in “Introduction to Computers” and meet the five areas of proficiency as part of the course. This “Introduction to Computers” course is designed for students with limited keyboarding experience and limited knowledge of computer applications. The five components of the Computer Challenge Exam (keyboarding, objective test, word processing, spreadsheet and PowerPoint) are embedded in the course.

2. Pass the Computer Proficiency Challenge Exam. Students may also satisfy the requirement by passing the Computer Proficiency Challenge Exam. Students need to pass all five components to successfully pass the test. A student may take the Challenge Exam in the spring of 8th grade (before entering high school) or during high school.

   If you take the Challenge exam and meet the standard on one or more
   components of the test, you may take the exam once more or attend an
   after school Computer Workshop. Once you have met the standard on a
   component of the exam, you are not required to retake that component.
   After two tries, if you have not passed all sections, you will be
   required to attend an after school Computer Workshop before you are
   eligible to take the test again. You will then need to alternate
   between tests and workshops until you have passed all sections of the
   test. If you do not complete all components of the exam after two
   tries, you may also choose to take a semester-long “Introduction to
   Computers” course during the school year or during summer school.
   …see 2007-2008 testing schedule & registration form

Students with IEPs or 504 plans should have a clear plan for appropriate accommodations or modifications of this requirement.

If you have any questions regarding the Computer Proficiency Challenge Exam, please call the Office of Instructional Services at (415) 945-3727.