Pennsylvania Association for Career and Technical Administrators

Calendar

PACTA Symposium 2009

Find the presentations in the resources section.

Preparing Students for the Workforce of Tomorrow: An Education and Workforce Development Symposium will be held February 11 and 12, 2009 at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. The nineteenth annual symposium will begin at 12:30 p.m. on February 11, 2009 and will conclude at noon on February 12, 2009.

Description

Students entering the workforce of tomorrow will be facing challenges much different than new workers of the past. Globalization and new and emerging technologies are but two of the factors presenting challenges for new workforce entrants. These challenges will impact new workers whether they enter the workforce directly after high school or after earning a two or four year degree. National, state and local leaders will present their views on what steps Pennsylvania needs to take to improve the education and workforce development systems to better prepare students to meet the challenges facing tomorrow’s workforce. Small group sessions will present best practices and programs. The symposium will highlight initiatives and programs such as Industry Partnerships, Career Pathways, STEM, High Schools That Work, Middle College, dual enrollment, integration of academic and career and technical education, programs of study, Regional Career Education Partnerships, Career Education and Work Standards, College and Career Success Initiatives and 2+2+2 Workforce Leadership Programs.

Agenda Format

February 11, 2009

9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. - Registraion
12:30 p.m.-2:15 p.m. - Opening Keynote Session
2:30 p.m.-5:00 p.m. - Small Group Workshops/Presentations
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. - Reception
6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. - Dinner with Speaker

February 12, 2009

7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. - Breakfast
8:00 a.m.-10:15 a.m. - Small Group Workshops/Presentations
10:15 a.m.-11:45 a.m. - General Session
11:45 a.m.-Noon - Wrap-up

Featured Speakers

Fred Didrick

Fred Dedrick is the Deputy Secretary for Workforce Development in the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry where he is responsible for overseeing approximately $250 million in workforce development funding aimed at helping workers find, keep and advance in careers paying family sustaining wages, especially in the Commonwealth’s targeted industry clusters.

Previously, Mr. Dedrick served as Governor Edward G. Rendell’s appointee as Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board. In this position he was a key leader in creating Pennsylvania’s Industry Partnerships as well as the Center for Health Careers, a public/private initiative to address Pennsylvania’s critical health care shortages. He was also instrumental in the design of Pennsylvania’s first Performance Management Plan as well as the development of Pennsylvania’s unified workforce development strategy, Job Ready PA. Mr. Dedrick was previously the Director of Workforce Development for The Reinvestment Fund (TRF), where he also served as President of the Regional Workforce Partnership. Prior to joining TRF, he was Director of Economic Development for Greater Philadelphia First (GPF), a regional business leadership organization.

Kenneth C. Gray

Kenneth C. Gray is a Professor Emeritus of the Workforce Education and Development Program at Pennsylvania State University. He holds a B.A. in Economics, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology and a doctorate in Technical Education. Prior to joining the faculty at Penn State, he was the Superintendent of Schools for the Vocational Technical High School system in Connecticut and has been a high school English teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator.

Dr. Gray was the recipient of the 2002 Dare to Lead Award from the International Leadership Network for his willingness to promote alternatives to baccalaureate education, and in 2007 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award from the National Council of Local Administrators of Career and Technical Education. Dr. Gray is considered a national expert in the areas of high school and postsecondary career and technical education and the successful transition of youth into higher education and the workforce. He has published widely on these issues and is frequently quoted in the national press. His presentation will be based on the new second edition of his book, Getting Real: Helping Teens Find Their Future.

William McNeal

William McNeal is a consultant with the International Center for Leadership in Education. He became Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators (NCASA) in July 2006, after retiring as Superintendent of the Wake County Public School System. Mr. McNeal spent his entire 30-year education career in Wake County, serving in positions from the classroom to the boardroom. As Associate Superintendent for Instructional Services, he was a key player in the development of Goal 2003; developed the Accelerated Learning Program; opened the school system's first contracted alternative high school; and designed the unique programs and calendar of Wake County's math, science and technology magnet school, Southeast Raleigh High. After becoming superintendent, he focused all of the school system's energies on meeting the goal of having 95 percent of third- and eighth-grade students at or above grade level. He helped narrow the achievement gap while continuing to challenge Wake County’s most advanced students.

Mr. McNeal has received many awards and honors for his service to public schools. The American Association of School Administrators named him 2004 National Superintendent of the Year, the first North Carolina nominee to win the prestigious honor. In the same year, both NCASA, and the North Carolina School Boards Association selected him as North Carolina Superintendent of the Year. Mr. McNeal’s presentation will focus on School Reform and the role of the three Rs: Rigor, Relevance and Relationships.

Who Should Attend

Academic Administrators
Academic Instructors
Advisory Committee Members
2+2+2 Program Staff and Partners
Career Development Specialists
Career and Technical Administrators
Career and Technical Instructors
Chamber of Commerce Representatives
Community-Based Organization Representatives
Curriculum Specialists
School Counselors
Industry Partners
Intermediate Unit Personnel
Organized Labor Parnters
Postsecondary Educators
School Board Members
School-to-Work Partners
Workforce Investment Board Members
Workforce Investment Board Staff
Youth Council Members
Others Interested in Student Success

Registration

The cost of registration for the symposium is $170 per person. Checks should be made payable to PACTA. Dinner on February 11, a continental breakfast on February 12, refreshment breaks and conference materials are included in the registration fee. One day registrations are available at a cost of $95. The registration deadline is January 28, 2009.

Accommodations

A block of rooms has been reserved for symposium participants at a special rate of $138 single or double occupancy. Individuals are responsible for making reservations for hotel accommodations. Reservations may be made by calling (717) 533-3311. Identify yourself as part of the PACTA Symposium and refer to group number VOC0210 in order to receive the special rate when making your reservation. Make your reservations by January 9, 2009. Reservations made after that date will be on an as available basis at regular rates.

If you have any questions regarding the Symposium, please call Jackie Cullen at (717) 761-3381 or she can be reached by e-mail at jackie@pacareertech.org.