Today's educational institutions must

 help students develop 21st-century business

 computing skills in addition to

 critical-thinking abilities. No matter where

 your students are in their educational careers,

 most will use those skills while in school

 and as members of the workforce. Microsoft

 Office Specialist certification provides proof of desktop skills and is a professional

 credential recognized around the world.

       Students who achieve Microsoft Office Specialist certification by passing a 

 performance-based exam earn a certificate, potential college credit via the American Council

 on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service, and the confidence that will set

 them apart in a competitive job market.

       An important Microsoft objective is to provide educators with comprehensive solutions

 that support their educational goals. Microsoft Office Specialist certification fulfills

 this objective by helping teachers and students achieve a common level of desktop computing

 skill. Shared skill levels enable teachers to use Microsoft Office programs to structure

 curricula and teaching methods that increase learning inside and outside of the classroom.

       Certified teachers can also save valuable time by assigning, collecting and grading

 student work using Microsoft Office programs. By encouraging students to achieve

 certification, teachers can help them stay engaged in and connected with their coursework,

 gain confidence, and realize their potential.

       Educational institutions that offer Microsoft Office Specialist certification position

 themselves as leaders in the use of technology and in workforce development. Such leadership

 can increase credibility with students, teachers and parents, as well as with businesses

 and other organizations looking to hire graduates who are prepared for the 21st-century

 workplace.

       Microsoft Office Specialist certification exams use Microsoft Office programs to

 deliver an authentic, performance-based evaluation of Microsoft Office skills. In addition,

 offering certification testing within your organization is convenient and can help your

 institution potentially qualify for funding under the No Child Left Behind Act.

       Today, Microsoft Office is the most widely used business productivity program in the

 world. However, the average user masters only a portion of the software's functionality.

 More and more, businesses are encouraging employees and job candidates to become certified.

 Companies doing so report improved employee competence and productivity, as well as

 increased credibility with coworkers, clients and customers.

       Microsoft Office certification exams directly measure Microsoft Office skills and,

 equally important, the ability to apply those skills on the job. This assessment provides

 a qualitative basis for employment-related decision making, including employee screening

 and selection.