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Microsoft Imagine Academy (IA)

The Microsoft Imagine Academy (IA) program provides industry-leading technology skills to help bridge the skills gap. With the Microsoft Imagine Academy (IA) program, academic institutions and their educators, students and staff get digital curriculum and certifications for fundamental technology skills -- as well as courses critical for students to be successful in today’s technologically evolving world. Learn more about Imagine Academy program benefits.

Update (August 2020)

Within Microsoft Imagine Academy members will have access to Learning Paths to support Wisconsin's Digital Technology Career Pathway. Microsoft Imagine Academy’s Learning Paths provide Educators and Learners with a prescribed curriculum roadmap that serves as a blueprint for technology skill development and certification in specific areas of study, including Productivity, Computer Science, Data Science (2017), and IT Infrastructure (2017).  Understanding how to use and implementing the Wisconsin Computer Science Mapping Guide will empower educators to identify the Wisconsin Standard for Computer Science Education along with the specific learning priority and performance indicator by grade level that aligns to the Microsoft Imagine Academy lesson(s) within the course (curriculum). Multiple areas of Computer Science Education are included within each Standard Set as well as within each Lesson. To have them come together can give added value to educational organizations as they strive to meet the demands of an ever-growing skills gap within tech.  

Update (July 2020)

The Microsoft Imagine Academy (MSIA) and Certification programs have been renewed for the 2020-2021 school year.  The funding for the renewal has been made possible through the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction and the Act 59 Information Technology Education Grant.  Wisconsin educators will have continuous access to the MSIA curriculum resources and Certification site licenses for another year, at no cost.  Program benefits include Microsoft technology curriculum, professional development, marketing resources, and Certiport site license.  For more details and questions, contact Wisconsininfo@meucciandco.com or to be a part of the Microsoft Imagine Academy and Certification programs, contact Monica Broerman monica@meucciandco.com.

Update (June 2020)

Microsoft Imagine Academy

WI MSIA and Certification Metrics
Total # of MSIAs Purchased: 240
Total # of MSIAs Activated: 224
Total # of Teachers Trained: 175

Certification

Total Site Licenses Purchased: 225
# of Schools Testing: 72
# of Exams Administered: 3,242
Total # of Certifications: 1,330

End of Year Certification Highlights

  • Student Certifications
    • Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): 1,302 Total Certifications, 18 Expert Ceritifications & 8 Master Certifications (requires passing Expert Word, Expert Excel, PowerPoint, and one of the elective exams) 
      • Word Core 732 & Word Expert 16
      • PowerPoint Core 388 
      • Excel Core 171 & Excel Expert 2
      • Access Core 8
      • Outlook Core  3
    • Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA): 9
      • Security Fundamentals: 1
      • Java Programming: 2
      • HTML & CSS Programming: 1
      • Windows Operating System Fundamentals: 5
  • Teacher Certifications
    • Microsoft Office Specialist:  31 Total Core Certifications & 1 Master Certification (requires passing Expert Word, Expert Excel, PowerPoint, and one of the elective exams)
    • Master Certified Educator:  1

Update (March 30, 2020)

A message shared on behalf of Certiport to school certification testing sites. Note that teachers must schedule exams for students; however, Certiport will officially administer and proctor exams at this time for your local needs:

Please be advised that the link in the email below will open a page on the Certiport website including three documents as follows:

1. Scheduling Guide
2. Exam Administrator Guide
3. Test Candidate Guide

We are ready for Wisconsin teachers and students to start the process of scheduling their test’s. Learn more about Certiport Exams from Home. Please be advised this will be a first-come, first-served scheduling process so we encourage teachers to get on the schedule as soon as their students are ready to take the exam. Note, this will work on Chromebooks; the pdf’s that open in the email below are somewhat fluid and subject to change, so please reference the links and not copies of the pdf’s as you share this information.

Certiport Exams from Home
In an effort to support schools and students to continue their education online in these extraordinary times, Certiport has developed a home-based solution that allows for administered exams that certification candidates can take from home. This solution, “Certiport Exams from Home”, allows individuals to continue to pursue an industry-recognized certification that will distinguish themselves from others in an increasingly difficult hiring environment.

Certiport has been testing this solution over the past two weeks with very good results and school districts across the United States and Canada that have been involved, have indicated very positive experiences. Customers who have participated are encouraged that individuals in their areas will be able to complete testing this school year with this solution.

As Certiport pilots this solution with live, in-market exams, we are looking for additional customers who would like to try this solution and give us feedback. Modifications to a broad solution will be made available as soon as this testing is completed. If you are interested in being a part of this pilot, we have made available a schedule in which you can reserve a spot. A Certiport employee will administer the exams through a hosted typical exam experience with an internet connection and almost any computer. To participate, follow the steps on this link to schedule exams from home: www.certiport.com/examsfromhome. Technical requirements are also found on the same URL. Participation may be limited based upon response volume.

This solution is currently only available in English with the expectation that it will expand into additional languages as soon as possible. This service will be available until June 30, 2020.

We recognize the difficult nature that COVID-19 has placed on customers during this crisis. It is our hope that this “Certiport Exams from Home” solution will allow individuals to become certified with an industry-recognized certification for their future college and career success.

Update (February 2020)

The outcomes of the 1,027 certifications associated with the Wisconsin Imagine Academy program are summarized below for the first half of the school year:

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)  
Excel: 136 Students + 3 Teachers = 139 Total
     Excel Expert:  2 Students
PowerPoint:  287 Students + 3 Teachers = 290 Total
Word:  555 Students + 11 Teachers = 566 Total
     Word Expert:  15 Students
Access:  8 Students

Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA)
Window Operating System Fundamentals:  5 Students
Security Fundamentals:  1 Student

Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE):  1 Teacher

Update (January 2020)

Microsoft Imagine Academy

WI MSIA and Certification Metrics
Total # of MSIAs Purchased: 240
Total # of MSIAs Activated: 224
Total # of Teachers Trained: 175

Certification

Total Site Licenses Purchased: 225
# of Schools Testing: 39
# of Exams Administered: 1,116
Total # of Certifications: 535

Program Highlights

Training

  • MSIA and Certification Deployment team attended the WEBIT Conference (October):
  • Getting Started with MSIA (3-hour session)
  • MSIA: Exploring Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) and Computer Science Session
  • On-going webinars offered from September –December:
  • Getting Started with MSIA
  • Deep Dive into MOAC
  • MSIA and OneNote
  • MSIA and Certification Best Practices
  • Getting Started with Certification

Updates

  • Schools have access to free Microsoft Office Lab Licenses (2016 & 2019)
  • Microsoft Office Specialist 2019 exams have been released
  • Microsoft Imagine Academy program will begin releasing Microsoft Office 2019 courses in January 2020 - starting with Word and Excel
  • MakeCode Arcade Parts 2 and 3 will be released on the Microsoft Imagine Academy member site in January
  • Introduction to Programming using Java has been released on the Microsoft Imagine Academy member site
  • Schools administering Microsoft exams have transitioned to a new exam delivery system, Compass

Update (7/23/2018)

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is pleased to announce funding for the 2017 Act 59 Information Technology Education Grant. This grant will provide access to information technology education opportunities for public school students in grades 6 to 12, technical college district students, and patrons of public libraries through the Microsoft Imagine Academy program.

Microsoft Imagine Academy provides students and educators with industry-aligned curricula and certifications to build competencies and validate skills for high-demand technologies. The Academy offers courses and certifications in four paths: Computer Science, IT Infrastructure, Data Science, and Productivity. Additionally, participating schools will receive (at no cost) a 12-month site license for certification testing of the Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) applications and Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) certifications.

Microsoft Imagine Academy schools can look forward to:

Globally Recognized Certifications

  • Make students more competitive in a global market.
  • Become a testing center offering on-site exams for students and staff.

Microsoft Official Academic Curriculum

  • Access numerous online learning courses with industry-aligned credentials.
  • Customize lesson plans to fit individual needs.

Professional Development

  • Provide educators with the latest technology curriculum, guidance, and resources.
  • Utilize complimentary certification exam vouchers for educators.

Resources and Partnership

  • Download marketing materials and program information.
  • Customize and print certificates of completion.
  • Promote your institution with the Microsoft Academy Logo.

To learn more about the Microsoft Imagine Academy program, visit https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/education/imagine-academy/default.aspx .For more information on the certification program, visit www.certiport.com.

Do note that schools who take advantage of this state supported information technology instructional program will be unable to claim students who earn these certificates as part of their annual CTE Incentive Grant application according to Wisconsin State Statute 106.273(3)(am).

Update (2/5/2018) *

With the recent signing of the biennial budget on September 21, 2017, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction is pleased to announce funding for the 2017 Act 59 Information Technology Education Grant. Funding for this grant is provided in an annual appropriation of $875,000, beginning in FY18. DPI shall make the grant to an entity to provide information technology education opportunities to public school pupils in grades 6 to 12, technical college district students, and patrons of public libraries. Learn more about the Information Technology Education Grant online at https://dpi.wi.gov/it-education-grant.

Update (9/22/2017)

The Wisconsin 2017-2019 Biennial State Budget provides funding for Information Technology Education.  The State Budget directs the department to develop a competitive request−for−proposal process for the award of a grant to an entity to provide information technology education opportunities to public school pupils in grades 6 to 12, technical college district students, and patrons of public libraries. Additional information will be released  by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction on this website when available.


The Microsoft Imagine Academy (IA) program provides industry-leading technology skills to help bridge the skills gap.  With the Microsoft Imagine Academy (IA) program, academic institutions and their educators, students and staff get digital curriculum and certifications for fundamental technology skills -- as well as courses critical for students to be successful in today’s technologically evolving world.  Learn more about Imagine Academy program benefits.

Program Overview

The Imagine Academy Program offers IA members (Institution) with quality education training resources on Microsoft technologies to help Institutions’ educators, faculty and staff (Educators) and its enrolled students and members (Students) obtain the skills needed to reach their academic and career potential. The program enables Institutions:

  • offer quality technology curricula to help its Students acquire skills on current Microsoft technologies
  • provide rich online learning resources to its Students and Educators
  • ensure its Students graduate with the Microsoft technology expertise required to be successful in today’s job market
  • prepare its Students and Educators to earn Microsoft Certification credentials
  • provide professional development opportunities for its Educators

See the Microsoft Imagine Academy Quick Start site for additional information.