January, 2008  - Cedar Valley College of the Dallas County Community College District led the way in piloting the Texas Skill Standards Board (TSSB) program recognition renewal process for its Customer Service Representative Level 2 Certificate. Cedar Valley College received program recognition for integrating the Customer Service and Sales skill standards into the program’s curriculum. The recognition expired December 31, 2007. TSSB Program Recognition is valid for three years, at which time it must be renewed.

For renewal of program recognition, college representatives must attest that they have developed assessments to evaluate students’ attainment of all the key activities or related criteria, skills, and knowledge in the skill standards integrated into the program. This renewal requirement is the key to program recognition and its significance to employers. It demonstrates that program graduates are prepared with the skills and knowledge defined by industry in the standards.

As part of the renewal application, Cedar Valley College was required to submit samples of major assessments from three of its program’s courses. Dr. Diane Minger, Marketing/Management Coordinator at Cedar Valley College, compiled and submitted more than the required minimum of sample assessments. The samples were comprehensive, challenging measures that directly addressed the content of the skill standards’ key activities that were integrated into the courses. The sample assessments are posted on this web site under the recognized programs link in the Community and Technical Colleges and Employers and Industry Groups sections.

For more information or questions, please contact TSSB staff member Anne Dorsey at tssb@io.com or (512) 936-8100.