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TSSB Recognizes Computer Programming Degree at Wharton County Junior College

October, 2009 - The Texas Skill Standards Board (TSSB) granted program recognition to the Computer Programming Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree at Wharton County Junior College. The program was recognized as being integrated with the national, industry-defined Programming/Software Engineering skill standards.

The skill standards enhanced programs, which were endorsed by their industry advisory committee, will benefit both employers and graduates. Graduates will gain the work competencies—skills and knowledge—that employers have agreed are required for success in computer programming positions. Employers in turn will gain a more qualified workforce. The Programming/Software Engineering Skill Standards define the knowledge and skills that are required for entry-level to more experienced employees in this information technology (IT) specialty area. The standards were developed nationwide through expert panels of IT workers representing 40 organizations, conducted in geographically diverse locations of the country with high concentrations of these workers. The draft standards were then validated by a random sample of 748 companies.

The National Workforce Center for Emerging Technologies (NWCET) facilitated the skill standards development and validation process with funding from the National Science Foundation and the American Electronics Association. The NWCET is located at Bellevue Community College in Washington State. The skill standards are available for viewing on the TSSB website at www.tssb.org.

Stephanie Dees, Division Chair of Technology and Business, led the computer programming faculty in integrating the skill standards into the program. For its efforts, Wharton County Junior College received a $5,000 Skill Standards-Based Curriculum Development Incentive Project award. The incentive awards, which are granted upon completion of deliverables, including integrating skill standards into curriculum and receiving TSSB Program Recognition, were administered by Del Mar College out of Perkins State Leadership funds from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.

The Wharton County Junior College faculty followed the TSSB’s recommended six-step process in the guidance document, A User’s Guide: Incorporating Skill Standards into Community and Technical College Curriculum, which is available for download from this web site. They also took advantage of TSSB technical assistance, provided on site at the college.

Examples of the program recognition application materials submitted by Wharton County Junior College for TSSB Recognition are available in the Community and Technical Colleges and Employers and Industry Groups sections of this website under the TSSB-Recognized Programs link.

For more information, please contact Anne Dorsey at TSSB at (512) 936-8100.