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State Board approves Technical Institute Guidelines

Posted on July 06, 2010

The State Board of Vocational Education on July 1 unanimously approved Guidelines for Technical Institutes. This action is the culmination of years of work by many current and former State Board members, PDE staff, legislators, and PACTA members. Lee Burket and her staff are to be congratulated on the passage of these Guidelines. You can view the guidelines by going to: http://www.pacareertech.org/content_documents/9/TechnicalInstituteGuidelines.pdf

The State Board of Education also approved the Common Core Standards, and the PSSA-M (math) Performance Level Descriptors and Cut Scores.

The Common Core is an effort led by the Council of Chief State School Officers and the National Governors Association to develop voluntary national academic standards. Information was presented by the University of Pittsburgh School of Education pertaining to a Study that examined both the content alignment and alignment of cognitive rigor of Pennsylvania’s reading, writing and math standards in grades 3, 5, 8 and 11. The Board expedited the process for adoption of the Common Core Standards in order to strengthen Pennsylvania’s chances for selection for funding in the second round of the federal Race-to-the-Top initiative. By adopting the Common Core, the voluntary national standards would represent 85% of Pennsylvania’s standards in math and English. The State Board will engage in further public deliberations to determine the remaining 15% of state standards in those subject areas. The Board stated its willingness to work with the education community in the detailed development of the full implementation of Common Core Standards by 2013. (EPLC)

Dan Fogarty, Director of the Center for Advanced Manufacturing Careers, presented a report on the Pennsylvania Project for Advanced Manufacturing Careers. His presentation really emphasized the opportunities available through career and technical centers.

Lee Burket provided a comprehensive report to the Board in addition to presented the Guidelines for Technical Institutes. Her report is below.

Report of the State Director

Pennsylvania Department of Education
Bureau of Career and Technical Education
Strategic Plan

Four Goals

Goal 1: Align CTE Program Offerings with Industry Standards

By 2010, 100% of the programs will be aligned to industry standards.

Programs of Study

Requests for new program approvals utilizing the Program of Study (POS) delivery option are being accepted through July 31, 2010. There are currently over 400 requests in either a submitted or in process stage awaiting review by Bureau program specialists. Each POS was developed statewide by working with industry representatives, secondary instructors and postsecondary faculty and has led to statewide tasks aligned to industry standards.

Each program of study was developed statewide and addresses each of the following components.
1. Incorporate and align secondary and postsecondary programs: (a) using Pennsylvania approved SOC Codes and CIP Codes; (b) by developing a competency list based on an occupational analysis using resources such as O*NET, VTECS, and MAVCC; (c) by aligning with PA recognized industry-based credentials or certifications; and (d) by securing validation of the Occupational Advisory Committee.

2. Include coherent and rigorous academic content aligned with PA Academic Standards and relevant career and technical education content integrated in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary and postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed in careers.

3. Include the opportunity for secondary education students to earn postsecondary education credits through dual or concurrent enrollment, articulated credit, or other ways which lead to a PA-recognized, industry-based credential, credit-bearing certificate, or associate or baccalaureate degree.

4. Establish all new career and technical education programs based upon the current PA Department of Labor and Industry’s High Priority Occupations list.

5. Develop articulation agreements between secondary and postsecondary institutions.

Industry Partnerships

The Pennsylvania Partners Conference was held May 19—21, in Hershey, PA. This conference provides professional development for individuals working in all areas of the workforce development system in Pennsylvania. Six bureau employees served as workshop monitors at the conference. Bureau staff presented workshops on Adult Education at Career and Technology Centers and Industry Certifications. Greene County CTC was awarded the annual Education Workforce Leadership award for its longstanding partnership with Southwest Pennsylvania Water Authority.

The drafting program at Greene County Career and Technology Center is a showcase for their School-To-Work company, Drafters Incorporated. Drafters Inc. utilizes high tech learning experiences in AutoCAD and SPACESTARS. While still attending the CTC, students in the drafting program have the option of taking three college level drawing classes through California University of Pennsylvania’s, University in the High School Tech-Prep program.

Over the past twenty-one years Drafters Incorporated has provided drafting services to Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority which serves approximately forty five thousand customers and maintains a pipe network of approximately six hundred miles of pipeline. The authority serves seventeen municipalities with thirteen storage facilities that have a combined storage capacity of nineteen million gallons.

The authority decided to update their existing paper maps to computer-generated drawings. In late fall of 1997, Southwestern Pennsylvania Water Authority approached Drafters Incorporated about this project. Drafters Incorporated took on the project and began the transfer of paper maps into computer- generated drawings using Autocad. Over the years all of Greene County has been mapped on the computer. Drafters Inc. is now in the process of mapping Fayette County.

Through this partnership students are able to take theory that they learned and put it into practical application. They acquire skills and knowledge that will benefit them in the job market and are in an ongoing high tech learning process which consists of computer aided drafting and business operation. Students acquire transferable skills they can take with them after graduation into the job market, technical school or college. The students learn to meet deadlines, solve problems, allocate time, improve communication skills and work as a team. They will also learn business and accounting skills.

By 2010, there will be a 30% increase in the number of students earning industry certifications/credentials.
Industry Certifications

Registrations are being processed for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) train-the-trainer classes to be offered by the Bureau of Career and Technical Education during the week of June 21st –June 24th, 2010. Both the Construction and the General Industry trainer classes are offered. The classes will be held at Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology in Pleasant Gap, PA. The Bureau has been sponsoring these trainer classes since 2005. Over the years, approximately 100 CTE instructors have earned the trainer credential. Due to a change in the federal regulations that deal with the training, all instructors who are not currently certified must now complete a prerequisite class prior to taking the Construction or General Industry trainer class. The Bureau has provided information to more than 25 individuals who have expressed interest in taking the prerequisite class. The Bureau has decided to discontinue this professional development opportunity in light of the increasing cost to offer it, the necessity for prerequisite classes, and the relatively low number of students reported as earning an OSHA 10-hour card through the instructors trained in this program.

Pennsylvania 2010 HOSA State Leadership Conference

The 31st Annual PA 2010 HOSA State Leadership Conference was held at the Lancaster Host Resort and Conference Center, Lancaster, PA on March 17-19, 2010. This year’s conference theme was, “From Simple Scrapes to Failing Hearts, HOSA’s Where the Healing Starts.” Frank Berdos, Postsecondary/Collegiate Vice President brought greetings from the HOSA National Office. The motivational keynote speaker, Jason Reynolds, was a past HOSA president.

There were 1,150 people in attendance. They represented business and industry, students and teachers. Business assisted with evaluating students in 47 competitive events. This was the largest attendance in PENN HOSA’s history. During the final general session, $74,000 was awarded in scholarships to 41 students in the amounts of $2,000 and $1,500.

Pennsylvania 2010 TSA State Conference

The Pennsylvania 2010 TSA State Conference was held at Severn Springs Resort on April 14-17, 2010. There were 1,372 student members in attendance plus 179 teacher/advisors, 139 judges and 30 guests. The students competed in approximately 50 events. Harrisburg University gave two $13,000 scholarships, among many other awards and scholarships. PA TSA gave two $1,500 scholarships to students interested in technology education.

Pennsylvania TSA student members have passed a resolution to promote PA Green Initiative by establishing a Green Committee and website for its organization. The Green Initiative will affect over 21,000 TSA members in Pennsylvania. The mission of the PA-TSA Green Initiative is to promote environmental awareness and activism within the PA-TSA organization and to inspire other TSA members nationally and internationally.
The PA-TSA Green Initiative and Environmental Committee was approved by the Pennsylvania TSA State Officer Team and Board of Director's (BOD) meeting. The committee has worked towards implementing innovative environment-promoting events and ideas that will set future environmental initiatives within career and technical student organizations and allow PA-TSA to make a positive impact on our 21st century society. Some of the initiatives are:
• National Duplex Printing Project - A proposal to change national TSA CRC single-sided printing rule.
• Electronic Waste "E-Waste" Drive - PA-TSA's action project to lessen the impact of waste electronics.
• Web Page and Email Establishment - Allows us to communicate with TSA members and advisors state-wide
• State Conference Plastic Bag Recycling - Measure to establish a plastic bag recycling station at the State Conference.
• Pennsylvania: Ride the Bus - State-wide service project to reduce emissions and spread awareness of emissions issues.
• Compete Green - Effort to incorporate 21st century green thinking into certain TSA competitive events.
The “GREEN” TSA web site: http://www.patsa.org/green/index.php?pageid=46&level=0

SkillsUSA State Leadership Conference

SkillsUSA held their 44th Annual State Leadership Conference at Hershey Lodge and Conference on April 14-16. Approximately 2,000 students plus advisors, judges and volunteers were in attendance and ensured the conference ran smoothly.

The majority of the skills contests were held at the Lebanon Expo Center and the leadership contests were held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center. Each contest was chaired by Advisors selected from each participating school and was judged with the help of industry and trade association representatives. The special guest and main speaker was Tim Lawrence, National Executive Director from the National SkillsUSA Office and he also attended the awards ceremony.

Over 135 industry tools and gifts were given to students who placed first, second or third in their event. In addition, $300,000 in scholarships were given to about 125 students.

Approximately 250 competitors, delegates, and advisors will be attending the National SkillsUSA Conference in Kansas City, MO on June 22-26, 2010.

Pennsylvania DECA National Conference Announcement of National Officers

The Pennsylvania DECA National Conference was held in Louisville, KY. There were 325 Pennsylvania delegates attending from 32 school chapters. PA DECA had 17 students place in their events, an additional 12 students received awards and three students earned scholarships.

The National DECA Office also announced Nate Keeney was elected to a national officer’s position. Nate started his DECA career as a freshman at Northampton High School. Throughout his four years as a DECA member he earned a position as chapter treasurer, vice president, and then co-president. Nate also served on the 2009-2010 Pennsylvania DECA state officer team. At the International Career Development Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, Nate was elected as DECA’s 2010-2011 North Atlantic Region Vice President.

By 2010, 100% of all approved programs will be aligned to labor market needs—state, regional and local.

Goal 2: Increase Academic Achievement for all CTE Students

By July 2014, the percentage of CTE students scoring proficient or advanced on the state-approved assessment in math and reading will be 100%.

By July 2011, the percentage of CTE students scoring proficient or advanced on the state-approved assessment in math and reading will increase, reflecting a 13% increase in reading and a 12% increase in math.

By July 2011, 60% of stakeholders will be better equipped to use state-approved assessment scores and other data sources to make instructional decisions.

Approved Program Evaluation

The Approved Program Evaluation (APE) schedule for on site visits to career and technical centers and/or school districts for the 2010-11 school year are being finalized. There are 46 visits scheduled. A key component of each visit is to evaluate and ascertain that academic standards are integrated into all approved programs being delivered at a school.

Each visit is conducted by a team of volunteers from other schools thus providing a win-win opportunity. Volunteers look to insure that integration is occurring; offer ideas that may be working at their school but at the same time learn what is working at a school being visited to carry back to their sites.

In 2005, the Department began a five year cycle of program reviews. The Bureau completed year five of the reviews.

• 100% of career and technical centers have been reviewed.
• 100% of the high schools have been reviewed.
• 2,100 programs have been reviewed against current regulations.

Two Career and Technology Centers Receive National Recognition

Lancaster Career and Technology Center will receive a TCTW Gold Improvement Award from the Southern Regional Education Board. This award is given to Technical Centers that Work centers that increased their mean scores in reading, mathematics and science by at least ten points from 2008 to 2010 on the High Schools That Work Assessment. Their scores improved by 31 points in reading, 30 points in math and 34 points in science.

Columbia Montour AVTS will receive the Pacesetter Award from the Southern Regional Education Board. They are one of 30 sites to receive this recognition. Schools identified as HSTW Pacesetter Schools met the following criteria (based on the 2010 HSTW Assessment and most recent state data available): had 85 percent or more of students meet at least one HSTW readiness goal; had 85 percent or more of students complete one or more parts of the HSTW-recommended curriculum (English/language arts, mathematics or science); had 85 percent or more of students complete at least one concentration (career/technical, mathematics/science or humanities); achieved “HSTW high implementation” status; participated in both the 2008 and 2010 HSTW Assessments; assessed 50 or more seniors in 2010 (or at least 75 percent of the senior class if the class contained fewer than 50 students); and either met Adequate Yearly Progress or had a graduation rate of 85 percent or higher.

Other Activities
• Technical Institutes
• Adult Education Accreditation
• Occupational Competency Assessment
• Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program

Technical Institutes

The Bureau is submitting the TI guidelines to the State Board of Vocational Education for their review and approval. This activity is outlined in Chapter 339.56(b) as approved in May 2008. A TI webpage was established on the PDE/BCTE website and a TI Public Comment Period occurred during April 14th to May 14th. The public was asked to review the Guidelines for Establishing Technical Institutes.

Technical Institutes are formed to address the educational career training needs of out-of-school youth and adults who are defined in Chapter 339 as, “Persons 16 years of age or older who have left full-time school without receiving a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.” The Pennsylvania Public School Code authorizes an AVTS/CTC Board or several AVTS/CTC boards to establish, maintain, conduct and operate TIs. BCTE staff prepared a 2 page brief addressing the purpose of TIs, TI background regulations, TI application guidelines development, TI partnerships with postsecondary education and TI benefits.

The Public Comments have been collected, compiled, and prepared for review. As appropriate, revisions were made to the Guidelines for Establishing Technical Institutes based upon input from Public Comment.

Technical Institutes are required to articulate to other postsecondary institutions to allow students to pursue additional educational opportunities. Thus, the Guidelines for Establishing Technical Institutes were also reviewed by three Out-of-State Postsecondary Institutions: Jamestown Community College, Jamestown, NY, Allegany College of Maryland, Cumberland Maryland, and West Virginia Junior College, Morgantown, WV. The Out-of-State Postsecondary Institutions in their review were also asked to consider articulation possibilities and possible areas of discussion needing addressed with Technical Institutes, once TIs are established within the Commonwealth.

Adult Education Accreditation

In 2004, the State Board for Vocational Education petitioned and was granted by USDE to be recognized as a state accreditation authority for Pennsylvania Postsecondary Vocational Education. Pennsylvania is one of only five states to receive this recognition. This authority allows PDE to accredit career and technical schools with adult education. Once accredited, the career and technical schools are able to offer low interest loans for programs over 300 hours and PELL grants for programs over 600 hours. The petition is good for 5 years. PDE was up for renewal June 2010 with a hearing date of December 2010 but received a letter from the US Department of Education that because of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Opportunity Act in August 2008, the NACIQI committee which oversaw the petitions was terminated and they are looking for a reconstitution of this committee early 2010. As a result, the deadline for submission of the petition is tentatively scheduled for June 2011 with a tentative hearing date of December 2011. Recognition as a state accreditation authority continues throughout the extension.

Two career and technical centers are scheduled for accreditation visits to renewal their accreditation status this fall – Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology and Bethlehem Area Vocational-Technical School.

BCTE has added a new radio button to the electronic program approval system for accredited schools to enter programs to be approved by PDE.

OCA (Occupational Competency Assessment)

The OAC committee held a meeting on May 12, 2010. Discussions included (a) OCA testing after June 2010, (b) instructional certification related areas to vocational certification, (c) new CIPs to be created in January 2011 and (d) the movement of .5999 CIPs to .9999 CIPs.

The Division of Certification Services informed the committee that there will be a new method on how schools can apply for emergency vocational certifications. Schools can now fill out a PDE 338 E form, have it signed by the superintendent and mailed directly to PDE without going through the CTE Professional Centers. The superintendent will be signing that the person has two years of related work experience.

This experience will be checked again by the centers when the person registers to take their OCA exam. The reason for this change is to speed up the processing of the emergency certificates so that the schools can have the teacher in the classroom sooner. The OCA committee will be helping to implement this new change.

NATCEP (Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program)

Twenty-five (25) on-site monitoring visits were completed between April 1 through June 4, 2010. Two programs were determined to be in non-compliance with OBRA and Act 14. Both programs were out of compliance with 701.11 Submission of CHRI Report; 701.12 and 701.13 receipt and review of CHRI report by the facility. Three new program (pre-approval) visits were conducted. One nurse aide program conducted in a long-term care facility was terminated due to a civil money penalty that exceeded $5,000.

Bureau staff continue to provide professional development to the Nurse Aide Educator. Twenty-two (22) participants completed a Teaching-the-Educator workshop in Pittsburgh in April and 21 completed a workshop in Bucks County in May. A Teaching-the-Educator workshop is scheduled in June at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and an additional workshop in Towanda from June 7-10. This area requested a workshop to meet the training needs in Bradford County.