As careers in Pennsylvania and across the nation become increasingly competitive and technical, students must develop strong academic knowledge alongside industry-specific skills.
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs play a critical role in preparing students for these demands, and one of the most important measures of that preparation is the NOCTI (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) exam.
Pronounced “knock-tee,” the NOCTI serves as an end-of-program assessment for high school seniors enrolled in CTE programs.
This year, 27 Tyrone Area High School students participated in NOCTI testing.
Of those, 13 students earned an advanced rating and will receive the Pennsylvania Skills Certificate, while 12 students earned a competent rating and will receive a Certificate of Competency.
Senior Reilly Rawlings found the NOCTI exam beneficial.
“The NOCTI test made me feel a lot more confident in all of the skills that I’ve learned in the past 4 years,” said Rawlings. “I was super proud of the score that I got, and I can’t thank Mrs. Hoy enough for preparing me.”
Widely administered across the country, the NOCTI exam consists of two components: a written test and a performance-based assessment. The written portion evaluates students’ technical knowledge, academic understanding, and problem-solving abilities.
The hands-on performance test allows students to demonstrate real-world skills required for success in their chosen field. These performance assessments are evaluated by professionals from local business and industry, ensuring alignment with current workforce expectations.
Success on the NOCTI carries significant benefits. Students who achieve advanced scores earn the Pennsylvania Skills Certificate, a credential issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that recognizes high levels of technical skill achievement. This certificate signals to employers that students can perform entry-level job duties safely and effectively with minimal supervision, making them more competitive in the workforce.
In addition to workforce readiness, strong NOCTI performance can open doors to higher education opportunities. Students who excel receive a College Credit Recommendation Report, which can be presented to more than 1,500 colleges and universities for potential credit.
Many students earn up to six tuition-free college credits. In Pennsylvania, students may also qualify for SOAR (Students Occupationally and Academically Ready) credits through statewide articulation agreements with more than 40 postsecondary institutions.
At Tyrone Area High School, students have the opportunity to enroll in CTE programs, including Agriculture, Carpentry, Accounting, and Health Occupations. In late April, students completed the NOCTI written exams, followed by hands-on practicum assessments conducted by industry professionals.
Students completing NOCTI testing in their respective program areas include:
Agriculture Production (PA): Janice Gilliland, Alyssa Houck, Madisen Jones, Carlie Nowlin, Reilly Rawlings, Catherine Sklenar, Frances Weaver, and Bailey Woomer
Carpentry: Jaysa Carns, Ethan D’Onofrio, Parker DeStefano, Corey Gehlem, Rowan Moore, Kyle Scott, Logan Seeger, Ryder Sparklin, and Alex Starr
Health Assisting: Layne Day, Paige Carper, Paige Hoy, Miley Fink, Claire Lehman, Allison McNelis, Addison Warren, Tessa Brandle, Lily Fenstermacher, and Alayna Woomer
Student performance on the NOCTI plays a significant role in Tyrone Area High School’s Pennsylvania School Performance Profile (SPP), the state’s system for evaluating public schools, charter schools, and career and technical centers.
The percentage of students scoring at the “Competent” or “Advanced” levels contributes directly to the Academic Achievement indicator, which accounts for 40 percent of a school’s overall score. These results serve as a key measure of CTE proficiency alongside PSSA and Keystone exam performance.
Additionally, schools can earn extra credit beyond the standard 100-point SPP scale, based on the percentage of students achieving “Advanced” scores on NOCTI or other industry assessments, with the potential to earn up to seven additional points.
The Pennsylvania Department of Education establishes performance benchmarks for the “Advanced,” “Competent,” and “Basic” levels, and these benchmarks are heavily weighted when evaluating high school CTE programs.
The inclusion of NOCTI results in the SPP is mandated by state legislation (House Bill 202, 2017), reinforcing the importance of measuring career readiness as part of overall school performance.
Through their dedication and achievement, Tyrone Area students have demonstrated they are well prepared for both postsecondary education and immediate entry into the workforce, highlighting the strength and impact of the district’s CTE programs.
