Beyond the test: Unlocking student momentum through Industry Certifications

Move certifications from "optional add-ons" to essential engines for student success and postsecondary readiness.

An industry-recognized certification is more than a line on a resume—it’s proof of capability and a bridge to a student’s future.

Watch this session to move beyond the "checklist" of CTE and reconnect with the human impact of your work. Join the YouScience California team and guest speakers Sandra Ross (Pasadena Unified, CA) and Eric Franz (Yakima School District, WA) to learn how certifications drive student momentum in a competitive landscape.

What you’ll learn:

A mindset shift: View certifications as a critical component of student equity rather than "extra work."
Real-world perspectives: See how Yakima and Pasadena districts transformed their culture and student outcomes.
Implementation Strategies: Build seamless pathways from the classroom to the workforce using Career Connections.
Advocacy tools: Gain resources to champion your programs to school boards and community partners.

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About Sandra

Ms. Sandra Ross is a seasoned, student-centered high school business teacher in Pasadena, California! In addition to teaching, Ms. Ross is a professionally trained life and career coach with experience administering various assessment instruments. Bringing 12 years of experience as a business adjunct to high school students for the past 8 years, her goal is to equip students with multiple postsecondary and immediate career options upon graduation.

As an adjunct, Sandra has facilitated core business courses, Business Communication, Transformational Leadership, Human Capital Development and Managing Organizational Change and Critical Thinking support effectiveness as a secondary and post-secondary educator.

As a continuous and lifelong learner, her ongoing academic interests are to identify models that sustain and continually replenish our available pool of qualified domestic workforce resources through higher education, professional training and credentialing. Ms. Ross is married, a parent, grandparent, and native of Chicago, Illinois, currently residing in Santa Clarita, California.

About Eric

Born and raised in Ellensburg, Washington, I earned both my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Special Education and my Master's in Education from Central Washington University (CWU). Over the course of 31 years with Yakima School District, I have dedicated my career to empowering students and fostering their academic and personal growth.

My teaching journey began with 15 years in Special Education at the middle school level, where I developed a deep understanding of differentiated instruction and individualized student support. I then transitioned into a K-12 Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) role, focusing on instructional coaching and technology integration across all grade levels. In 2013, I specialized further by concentrating exclusively on supporting Career and Technical Education (CTE) teachers, helping them enhance instructional practices and effectively integrate technology into their programs.

In my current role, I oversee multiple critical functions, including Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs), college articulation agreements, comprehensive data collection and reporting systems, and CTE pathway development and management. My commitment to professional growth is reflected in my credentials, which include 15 Microsoft Office certifications, a Google Data Analytics certificate, and a CTE Director Certification. These technical and leadership qualifications complement my educational expertise and enable me to provide robust support to the teachers and programs I serve.