Maria Rodríguez Computer Science Instructor Certification Offered Microsoft Office Specialist   Employer Colegio Dominicano de Educación Bilingüe Location Santiago, Dominican Republic

In her own words: "We are a top-choice school because we certify our students with official qualifications recognized by international powerhouse Microsoft."

High School Graduates with Microsoft Office Specialist Certification Are in High Demand in Latin American Nation
Technology-integrated English, math and science programs give more than 400 students advantage in securing employment after graduation

April 2008
Graduates of Colegio Dominicano de Educación Bilingüe in Santiago, Dominican Republic, have proof they have the skills employers of the province need. English, Spanish, math, science and computer technology—coupled with Microsoft® Office Specialist certification—has been carefully integrated into their programs of study since they were small children.

BACKGROUND
When Colegio Dominicano opened 27 years ago, it had 60 students. Now, with more than 500 students enrolled in its programs, the school has developed into an efficient academic institution focused on producing graduates with high ethics, social conscience and scientific literacy. Colegio Dominicano provides English, math and science programs, as well as the first program in Santiago to provide English and Spanish teaching programs.

As it continually updates its programs to provide value to the community, Colegio Dominicano offers excellent educational options in the Dominican Republic.

PROCESS
When Colegio Dominicano became a Certiport® Center in June 2005, it began requiring its junior high- and high-school-level students earn Office Specialist, the official worldwide certification for the Microsoft Office system of business productivity programs. "Certification provides our students with knowledge, a valid and recognized credential and a competitive advantage in the workforce," said the school's computer science instructor Maria Rodríguez. "Microsoft Office Specialist encourages the development of more advanced technology skills in our students."

Rodríguez said Colegio Dominicano developed its information and communications technology curriculum based on international standards, which mirror the Office Specialist certification exam objectives. All of the school's students—even its youngest learners in preschool—have computer interaction. "Our students work with computers and software when they are as young as age three," Rodríguez said. "Traditional computer classes are available for our older students."

Certification exam costs are included in Colegio Dominicano's annual tuition fees. Rodríguez said the investment pays off. "The biggest reward is the prestige certification offers our students and our school."

To date, more than 400 students have achieved Office Specialist certifications.

RESULT
In addition to the prestige Colegio Dominicano has gained since it began offering Office Specialist certification, Rodríguez said the school and its students have experienced many other positive results. "We are a top-choice school because we certify our students with official qualifications recognized by international powerhouse Microsoft," she said. "In addition, we are increasingly more competitive with other educational centers in our country."

Colegio Dominicano students acquire skills and knowledge important for the growing and evolving Dominican workforce. "They are able to use these skills in the workplace almost immediately after completing high school," Rodríguez said. "And, they obtain a certification that is not only valid in their native country but also worldwide. Our students are in high demand in the workforce because our school is the only one in the area that offers Office Specialist certification. Companies in our region request our certified students."

In the future, Colegio Dominicano plans to add Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®), the world’s only globally recognized standards-based certification for fundamental computing and Internet skills, to its education curriculum.

ABOUT CERTIPORT
Certiport prepares individuals with current and relevant digital skills and credentials for the competitive global workforce. These solutions are delivered by more than 12,000 Certiport Centers worldwide and include Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC��), the official Microsoft� Office certification programs and the Adobe� Certified Associate certification program. For more information, visit www.certiport.com.