Alabama Department of Education and Microsoft Announce New
Statewide Technology Program
MONTGOMERY, Ala. and
REDMOND, Wash., Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alabama
Department of Education and Microsoft Corp. today formally
announced the official launch of the Alabama Microsoft IT Academy
Program. This new initiative is focused on further developing the
overall technology skills of students.
(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
Alabama's Microsoft IT Academy
will provide opportunities for students to earn certifications in
Microsoft product areas, such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word
and Microsoft PowerPoint. This program will be available in all
high schools statewide and will provide students with the valuable
21st century technical skills they need to be successful in both
college and their future careers.
Gov. Robert Bentley said,
"Offering industry certification to Alabama's students will help ensure growth in
our workforce. Adding qualified individuals to local businesses
will improve economic success."
The Microsoft IT Academy Program will provide participating
local school systems with access to Web-based instruction, software
lab licenses, e-learning and official course materials. Course
topics will range from computer basics to high-level programming
and database management. Students will get hands-on experience with
the latest Microsoft software and e-learning resources. This
program will also allow students to earn professional-level
workplace credentials and technology skills before they graduate
from high school.
"Through this program, we can assure business and industry of a
skill set in the area of technology and ensure students entering
college are equipped with the technical skills to succeed
academically," State Superintendent of Education Tommy Bice said.
Pilot Year for This Initiative
Currently, one school
in each school system throughout the state is participating in this
program. Starting in the 2013–2014 school year, the Microsoft IT
Academy Program will be expanded to additional schools.
"The Microsoft IT Academy Program makes education more relevant
to students so they can move from learning to earning," said
Cameron Evans, chief technology
officer for U.S. Education, Microsoft. "Alabama schools, teachers and students are now
at an advantage in keeping pace with changing technology and
curriculum demands. The program also gives students equal access to
the IT skills and certification they need to both prepare for
advanced studies and to improve career opportunities with higher
earning potential."
IT certifications are increasingly being recognized as valuable
credentials nationwide. Many institutions in Alabama are requiring freshmen students to
pass a computer proficiency exam. This initiative is important
because it will help Alabama's
students be better prepared for their futures.
The Microsoft IT Academy Program works to bridge the gap between
education and the real world of work by helping to equip students
with the technology-based skills they'll need for successful
careers in today's highly competitive job market.
Benefits of Program
Students will have access to
official course materials that can help them prepare to acquire
industry-recognized Microsoft Office Specialist, Microsoft
Technology Associate or Microsoft Certified Professional
certifications. The program also focuses on helping students become
both college- and career-ready.
Benefits to Schools Participating in the Microsoft IT
Academy
Microsoft IT Academy provides schools and educators
the necessary training and resources they need to offer students
instruction on the latest IT and business applications. Benefits
include access to many programs, such as the following:
- IT Academy members' websites.
- E-learning curriculum — with more than 1,500 online multimedia
courses to choose from, including games, simulations and videos —
to provide students with a hands-on learning experience.
- Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum for students who are new
to computing skills.
- Microsoft E-Reference Library, a searchable library of more
than 600 Microsoft Press books. Each school will receive five
subscriptions.
- Access to Microsoft DreamSpark, a program providing students
and teachers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics
disciplines with access to Microsoft software developer tools and
platforms under the DreamSpark license designed for academic
institutions.
Alabama is the seventh state in
the U.S. to participate in this innovative program.
Those interested in learning more about Alabama's new Microsoft IT Academy Program
should contact Alabama State Department of Education Career and
Technical Education Administrator Dawn
Morrison at (334) 242-9109 or dmorrison@alsde.edu.
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide
leader in software, services and solutions that help people and
businesses realize their full potential.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.