NE Valley Times

The Paradise Valley School District is adopting a program that will allow students to receive certifications in information technology to further their education and provide better career opportunities.

During the Paradise Valley Unified School District Governing Board's May 4 meeting, officials welcomed IT director Jeffrey Billings and  IT officials Karen Mensing and Betsy Reader to give a presentation on the PLEX program. Mensing said she has worked with launching and teaching digital courses and programs, and Reader has also aided in getting students professional certificates. PLEX (Professional Learning Experience) is an initiative that will help students earn certifications that can propel them into the IT industry, the teachers said.

"At its core, PLEX initiates a desire to develop a technical hub for high school students to learn deeply and explore a future technical career and collegiate areas of interest," Billings told the board.

Billings said PLEX “leverages a partnership between Google, Coursera and PV Schools,” and through the program, “online content becomes accessible and students can complete a series of technical courses leading to a professional certificate.”

Coursera is one of the largest online education platforms, which has over 150,000 free licenses available in a variety of technical courses for PV students. The program will offer PV students eight different pathways for certificates, seven of which require absolutely no prior experience or qualifications.

“I have completed several of the courses and pathways. They're good courses. They're modern content, solid rigor and are fun to learn,” Billings said.

The coursework is not required and is only available to students who wish to pursue an IT career. 

"PV is providing students with a Chromebook, and technical support will be provided by the IT department and Coursera," Billings said. "Instructions will be easily accessible, and online office hours will be available on a regular basis. The most important factor is that the student must support themselves in this journey. The courses are self-guided, so students will move through them at their own pace and schedule."

The board was excited about the program, and members asked if there was the possibility for expansion in the future, including giving district alumni access as well. They were also assured by the IT department that all software and systems would be safe for students and that they were taking precautions, as they do with all aspects of digital access in the district. 

Board president Nancy Case said, “I have a son and a son-in-law in graduated with a master's in IT, and they have been able to advance in their careers because of their certifications. This is an amazing opportunity for our students, and I'm just grateful for thinking of this and for expanding it and for bringing it on to our district.”