Defined Aptitude - Teacher / Admin Guide

Administrative Guide for Defined Aptitude

Introduction
Test Components
Administering the Assessment
Interpreting Results
Using Results for Guidance
Administrative Features
Integration with Defined Careers
FAQs
Support and Resources
Appendix

1. Introduction

The Defined Aptitude Test is a comprehensive assessment designed to help 8th and 9th grade students explore their interests, values, and aptitudes in relation to potential career paths. This two-part assessment provides valuable insights that can guide students in their academic and career planning.

Purpose: To offer students a structured way to discover their strengths, preferences, and potential career matches.

Overview: The test consists of two main components: an Interests and Values Assessment, and an Aptitude Assessment.

Target Audience: 8th and 9th grade students, typically aged 13-15, who are beginning to consider their future academic and career options.

[*Insert infographic showing the test structure and its components*]

2. Test Components

2.1 Interests and Values Discovery

This component helps students identify their personal interests and work values, which are crucial factors in career satisfaction. It is identical to the Pathways Matching Assessment used in the Defined Careers platform.

Key Points:

Students who have completed this assessment on the Defined Careers platform do not need to retake it on the Defined Aptitude site.
Students may retake this component as many times as they wish.
Each completion generates a new report.

Description: A series of questions about activities, subjects, and work environments that students find appealing or important. The assessment incorporates elements from the RIASEC model and O*NET framework.

Types of Questions:

Study Preferences:

Students rank subjects from most favorite to least favorite.
Example: "Order these subjects from your most favorite to least favorite: Math, Science, English, History, Art"
This helps identify potential interest areas based on academic preferences.

Interest-based Questions:

Assess enjoyment of specific activities aligned with various career fields.
Example: "How much would you enjoy solving complex math problems?"
Rating scale: Multi-Select Checkbox
Questions cover a wide range of activities to determine the student's interest profile.

Value-based Questions:

Evaluate the importance of job characteristics through a school setting.
Example: "How important is it for you to have a job that helps others?"
Rating scale: Weighted approach using 3 tokens to divide between two contrasted options.
These questions are based on work values from the O*NET framework.

Career Survey:

Five short questions to assess students' understanding of post-secondary options over time.
Example: "How confident are you in your current career plans?"
Rating scale: Multiple choice
This helps track students' career development and decision-making progress through high school.

Assessment Framework:

The questions are designed based on the RIASEC model (Holland Codes) and the O*NET work values content model.
This combination provides a comprehensive assessment of both career interests and work values.

Relevance:

Helps match students with careers that align with their personal preferences and values.
Provides a standardized framework for understanding interests and values in relation to real-world careers.
Allows for personalized career exploration based on each student's unique profile.

2.2 Aptitude Explorer

This section evaluates students' natural abilities and potential for developing skills in various areas, based on the O*NET (Occupational Information Network) ability categories. Aptitudes are indicators of a student's capacity to acquire knowledge and skills with training and practice.

Description: A set of tasks and questions designed to measure different types of aptitudes across a wide range of ability categories.

Types of Questions/Tasks:

Verbal Abilities: Assesses skills related to understanding and using spoken and written language.
Idea Generation and Reasoning Abilities: Evaluates capacity for creative thinking and logical problem-solving.
Quantitative Abilities: Measures capacity to work with numbers and mathematical concepts.
Memory: Assesses ability to retain and recall information.
Perceptual Abilities: Evaluates capacity to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences in visual patterns.
Spatial Abilities: Measures ability to visualize and manipulate objects or spatial patterns mentally.
Attentiveness: Assesses ability to focus and maintain concentration over time.
Fine Manipulative Abilities: Evaluates precision in hand and finger movements.
Control Movement Abilities: Assesses ability to coordinate body movements effectively.
Reaction Time and Speed Abilities: Measures how quickly one can respond to stimuli or perform physical tasks.
Physical Strength Abilities: Evaluates capacity for exerting physical force (self-reported).
Endurance: Assesses stamina and ability to sustain physical or mental effort over time.
Flexibility, Balance, and Coordination: Evaluates physical agility and body control (self-reported).
Visual Abilities: Measures capacity to perceive and process visual information accurately.
Auditory and Speech Abilities: Assesses hearing sensitivity and speech clarity.

Assessment Approach: Some physical abilities are assessed through self-reporting, interest inventories, and scenario-based questions.

Adaptive Testing: The assessment does not currently use adaptive testing techniques, where the difficulty of questions adjusts based on the student's performance. It is currently the same test for all students taking the test. This may be added in the future and the guide will be updated.

3. Administering the Assessment

3.1 Time Requirements and Administration Options

Single Day Administration (90 minutes)

Suitable for those with a 90-minute time block available
Breakdown:
- Aptitude Explorer: 45-55 minutes
- Interest & Values: 15-25 minutes
Note: This option may be exhausting for some students

Two Day Administration

Day 1: Aptitude Explorer (45-55 minutes)
Day 2:
- Finish Aptitude Explorer (if needed)
- Interest & Values (15-25 minutes)

Three Day Administration

Day 1: Aptitude Explorer - Part One (25-30 minutes)
Day 2: Aptitude Explorer - Part Two (20-25 minutes)
Day 3: Interest & Values (15-25 minutes)

Flexible Administration

Students complete the test at their own pace
Can be done as take-home or after-school activity
Students can stop and resume each component as needed

3.2 Test Day Instructions

For Students:

Log in to Defined through your access portal (e.g., Clever, Classlink)
Select the Defined Aptitude tile
Alternatively, log in directly at: https://aptitude.definedlearning.com
Choose the component you wish to work on from the main screen

Technical Requirements:

Devices: Chromebooks, Tablet/Ipad (Acceptable, but there are typing questions which may impact results), Keyboards are recommended, Headphones
Browser: Latest version of Chrome (preferred), Firefox, Safari, or Edge

Testing Environment Tips:

Ensure a quiet, well-lit room
Minimize distractions
Provide comfortable seating
Verify all devices are fully charged or plugged in

4. Interpreting Results

4.1 Individual Student Reports

Upon completion, each student receives a comprehensive report with the following components:

Overview: A narrative summary of the student's results, highlighting the uniqueness of their profile.
Your Interests: Top interest areas based on Holland's RIASEC model (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional).
Your Values: Top 3 work values determined by the Interests & Values Discovery component.
Your Aptitudes: Areas where the student shows potential for skill development and excellence.
Careers: Matched careers based on the student's interests, values, and aptitudes.
Next Steps: Recommendations for further exploration and development.

Career Matching Methodology:

Aptitudes (50%)
Interests (30%)
Work Values (20%)

Career Categories:

ONET Job Zones 2-3: Careers requiring 2 or fewer years of education/training
ONET Job Zones 4-5: Careers requiring 4 or more years of education/training

5. Using Results for Guidance

Strategies for Discussion:

Focus on strengths and potential areas for growth
Encourage open-mindedness about career possibilities
Discuss how interests, values, and aptitudes work together in career satisfaction

Incorporating Results into Planning:

Suggest relevant high school courses based on aptitudes and interests
Identify potential extracurricular activities or volunteer opportunities
Discuss possible career shadowing or internship opportunities

Encouraging Exploration:

Guide students to research top career matches
Suggest informational interviews with professionals in fields of interest
Encourage skill development in areas of high aptitude

6. Administrative Features

The administrative portal offers tools to manage and analyze test results effectively.

Accessing Individual Reports: View and download reports for each student
Aggregate Reporting: Generate reports for classes, grades, or custom groups
Data Analysis Tools:
Track trends in interests, values, and aptitudes across student populations
Identify common career matches to inform curriculum planning

7. Integration with Defined Careers

Connection: Each career match has one or more Defined Careers' courses aligned with it. Students can click on the course to be taken to the preview page.

Benefits of Integration:

Personalized career exploration based on test results
Ability to track changes in interests and aptitudes over time
Comprehensive resources for careers matched to student profiles
Deep exploration and experience dives on careers aligned holistically with students

Encouraging Utilization:

Schedule dedicated time for students to explore Defined Careers
Assign career research projects based on top matches
Use Defined Careers resources in career counseling sessions

8. FAQs

Q: How often should students take the Defined Aptitude Test? A: We recommend students take the test once in either their 8th or 9th grade year. The individual tests can be re-taken within the same school year for comparison purposes, but it is not required.

Q: We completed the Defined Careers Pathways Matching Assessment (PMA) earlier, do we have to complete it again? A: No, the Defined Aptitude system will take existing PMA results and apply them. Students should see they’ve completed this component when the log-in to Defined Aptitude.

Q: Can students retake individual sections of the test? A: Yes, students can retake either the Interests and Values or the Aptitude section separately.

Q: How are career matches updated if a student retakes part of the test? A: Career matches are automatically recalculated based on the most recent test results.

Q: Why is X career shown? A: Career matches are derived from a calculation of the three factors (aptitudes, interests, and work values). To provide multiple postsecondary paths to students, we rank results by both their match percentages and which ONET job zone they belong to.

Q: Why is it called Interest & Values Discovery, but on Defined Careers it is called the Pathways Matching Assessment? A: It is a single test, but the purpose of the test varies greatly when used as part of the Defined Careers platform or the Defined Aptitude platform. Within Defined Careers, we create a series of "Pathway" matches which follow the ACTE Career Clusters and Pathways. Within Defined Aptitude, the test is used to provide supplemental guidance on evaluating student interests and values. It is also used to help derive specific career matches for students.

9. Support and Resources

Technical Support & FAQs:

Submit a ticket at https://support.definedlearning.com
Email the help desk directly at support@definedlearning.com

Additional Resources:

Professional Development available upon request, submit a request at https://support.definedlearning.com

10. Appendix

Glossary of Terms: Definitions of key concepts (e.g., aptitude, RIASEC, ONET)
Parent/Guardian Communication Template: Sample letter explaining the test and its benefits
Best Practices Checklist: Key points for successful implementation of career exploration programs