{"id":427,"date":"2013-04-16T11:20:55","date_gmt":"2013-04-16T18:20:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/?p=427"},"modified":"2013-04-16T11:20:55","modified_gmt":"2013-04-16T18:20:55","slug":"innovative-programs-provide-career-and-technical-education-in-high-schools","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/manufacturing\/innovative-programs-provide-career-and-technical-education-in-high-schools\/","title":{"rendered":"Innovative Programs Provide Career and Technical Education in High Schools"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>According to a 2012 Pew Research Center <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pewsocialtrends.org\/2012\/11\/05\/record-shares-of-young-adults-have-finished-both-high-school-and-college\/\">analysis<\/a> of census data, for the first time, a third of American 25- to 29-year-olds have earned at least a bachelor\u2019s degree. That share has been slowly edging up from fewer than one-fifth of young adults in the early 1970s to 33 percent this year. What happens to the other two-thirds of young adults? In Germany, they typically hold an occupational certification by the age of 20, but in the United States, non-college grads are often left without marketable skills or qualifications.<\/p>\n<p>In his State of the Union <a href=\"http:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/state-of-the-union-2013\">address<\/a>, President Obama said, \u201cTonight, I\u2019m announcing a new challenge to redesign America\u2019s high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy. And we\u2019ll reward schools that develop new partnerships with colleges and employers, and create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering and math &#8212; the skills today\u2019s employers are looking for to fill the jobs that are there right now and will be there in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are already a number of innovative high schools across the country that are pioneering a model for career and technical education that has little to do with the narrow vocational classes of yesteryear, like wood shop and auto shop. Instead, at Linked Learning schools in California, at the <a href=\"http:\/\/metcenter.org\/about-us\/one-student-at-a-time\/realwork\/\">MET schools<\/a> in Rhode Island, and at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.techvalleyhigh.org\/business\/Business_Alliance_Mission.htm\">Tech Valley High<\/a> outside Albany, high school students complete internships in real workplaces, exploring fields as diverse as baking, engineering, and biotechnology. Students have the opportunity to check out more than one profession so they can see how adults use their education in the workplace. This helps students stay motivated to earn a degree and introduces them to the behaviors and practices specific to the working world.<\/p>\n<p>California is one of the states that put vocational training back into the curriculum at high schools and community colleges. During his terms as California\u2019s governor from 2003-2010, Arnold Schwarzenegger identified workforce skills, referred to as <a href=\"http:\/\/www.cde.ca.gov\/ci\/ct\/sf\/\">Career Technical Education<\/a> (CTE), as a priority for California. The State plan specifies learning goals in 58 career pathways organized around 15 industry sectors. The CTE is delivered primarily through K-12\/adult education programs and community college programs and includes the following:<\/p>\n<p><em>K-12\/Adult Programs<\/em>:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Elementary school awareness and middle      school introductory CTE programs<\/li>\n<li>High school CTE, offered through 1,165      high schools in single courses, in course sequences or through over 300      integrated \u201clearning communities\u201d<\/li>\n<li>ROCPs offering career pathways and      programs through 74 ROCPs<\/li>\n<li>Adult education offered through 361      adult schools and over 1,000 sites<\/li>\n<li>Apprenticeship offered through over 200      apprenticeship program and adult schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><em> <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>Community College<\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Occupational programs offered at all 109      colleges, leading to certificates, associate degrees, and transfer to      four-year universities<\/li>\n<li>Noncredit instruction for short-term CTE      programs offered by 58 colleges<\/li>\n<li>Apprenticeship offering over 160      apprenticeship programs at 39 colleges<\/li>\n<li>Middle College High Schools (13) and      Early College High Schools (19)<\/li>\n<li>Tech Prep programs delivered through 80      Tech Prep \u201cconsortia,\u201d comprising 109 colleges and their feeder high      schools<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>As a result, California developed \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/linkedlearning.org\/about\/where-linked-learning-is-happening\/\">Linked Learning<\/a>,\u201d which is an approach that is transforming education for California students by integrating rigorous academics with career-based learning and real world workplace experiences. Linked Learning ignites high school students\u2019 passions by creating meaningful learning experiences through career-oriented pathways in fields such as engineering, health care, performing arts, law, and more.<\/p>\n<p>The Linked Learning pathway is defined as:\u00a0 A multiyear, comprehensive high school program of integrated academic and career technical study that is organized around a broad theme, interest area, or industry sector. Pathways connect learning with students\u2019 interests and career aspirations, preparing them for the full range of post-graduation options including two- and four-year colleges and universities, apprenticeships, formal employment training, and military service.<\/p>\n<p>In 2012, sixty three districts and county offices of education in California committed to making Linked Learning a district-wide improvement strategy and participate in the state <a title=\"Pilot Program\" href=\"http:\/\/linkedlearning.org\/policy\/pilot-program\/\">Linked Learning Pilot Program<\/a>, authorized by Assembly Bill 790.\u00a0The scale of the state Linked Learning Pilot Program will give many more students in more regions around the state access to Linked Learning. When the pilot is fully implemented, Linked Learning will be available to more than one third of the state\u2019s high school students \u2013 that\u2019s approximately 700,000 students.<\/p>\n<p>Linked Learning can be implemented through various models such as the California Linked Learning District initiative, which includes nine districts that have already implemented the Linked Learning approach:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Antioch USD<\/li>\n<li>Long Beach USD<\/li>\n<li>Los Angeles USD, Local      District 4<\/li>\n<li>Montebello USD<\/li>\n<li>Oakland USD<\/li>\n<li>Pasadena USD<\/li>\n<li>Porterville USD<\/li>\n<li>Sacramento City USD<\/li>\n<li>West Contra Costa USD<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Additional models include California Partnership Academies, career academies, National Academy Foundation academies, charter schools, and small-themed schools to name just a few. Today in California, 500\u00a0California Partnership Academies\u00a0are organized around one of the state\u2019s\u00a0<a title=\"In The Classroom\" href=\"http:\/\/linkedlearning.org\/linked-learning-in-action\/in-the-classroom\/\">California\u2019s 15 major industry sectors<\/a>, and another approximately 300\u00a0career academies\u00a0are in operation.\u00a0Regional Occupational Centers and Programs\u00a0(ROCPs) play an important part in many of these academies. In many other high schools, ROCPs are experimenting with innovative approaches to integrate academic and technical education.<\/p>\n<p>While my hometown of San Diego hasn\u2019t implemented the Linked Learning approach, Clairemont High School has an Academy of Business &amp; Technology (AOBT), which is a \u201cschool within a school\u201d that focuses on business, computer, and communication skills. The three-year program provides college-prep core classes and business career-technical electives to provide students the technological, financial, and communicative skills necessary to succeed in a college and career environment.<\/p>\n<p>The academy program is committed to providing students with an array of unique educational activities and opportunities that are not typically incorporated into general education courses such as: \u2022 Internships in the business field \u2022 Mentorships with community partners \u2022 Entrepreneurship training \u2022 Instruction in finance and economics \u2022 Online business simulations \u2022 Field trips to businesses and colleges \u2022 Guest speakers on various careers \u2022 Job interview &amp; resume guidance \u2022 Computer skills in Microsoft applications \u2022 Public speaking preparation \u00a0\u2022 Project-based group assignment \u2022 Team-building and leadership exercises \u2022 Problem-based learning projects \u2022 Group simulations.<\/p>\n<p>On a nationwide basis, the non-profit organization <a href=\"http:\/\/www.pltw.org\/our-programs\/our-programs\">Project Lead The Way<\/a>\u00ae (PLTW) has been working since 1997 to promote pre-engineering courses for middle and high school students. PLTW forms partnerships with public schools, higher education institutions, and the private sector to increase the quantity and quality of engineers and engineering technologists graduating from our educational system. The PLTW curriculum was first introduced to 12 New York State high schools in the 1997-98 school years. A year later, PLTW field-tested its four unit Middle School Program in three middle schools. Today, there are over 400,000 students enrolled in programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.<\/p>\n<p>PLTW has developed innovative and mutually beneficial partnerships with more than 100 prestigious colleges and universities, called University Affiliates, to facilitate the delivery of the PLTW programs. They provide and coordinate activities such as professional development, college-level recognition, program quality initiatives, and statewide\/regional support and communication.<\/p>\n<p>PLTW has nearly 100 leading corporate sponsors, including 3M, BAE Systems, Boeing, Caterpillar, Chevron, Intel, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Qualcomm, Rockwell Automation, Solar Turbines, and Sprint. Some of non-profit sponsors are the Kauffman Foundation and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation. Corporations and philanthropic organizations generously provide PLTW with:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>capital      resources which it allocates to schools so that they may deliver      leading-edge STEM curriculum, technology, materials and equipment to      students;<\/li>\n<li>access to      experienced and talented employees who assist teachers in PLTW classrooms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Another PLTW program sponsored by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation and other organizations is the Gateway Academy, a one- or two-week day camp for 6th &#8211; 8th graders that is a project based, hands-on curriculum designed by PLTW to introduce middle school students to the fundamentals of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) learning. The camp typically includes team-building exercises, individual and team projects, and utilizes the latest technology to solve problems. The camp is hosted by high schools or middle schools offering PLTW programs, such as Gateway To Technology (GTT) or Pathway To Engineering (PTE).<\/p>\n<p>Campers work together in a fun, exciting environment using leading-edge technologies to sample such disciplines as robotics, aeronautics and eco-design. They brainstorm ideas, solve problems and build bridges, race cars and other working models.<\/p>\n<p>Participation in a Gateway Academy prepares students for the middle school Gateway to Technology pre-engineering curriculum. The PLTW Middle School program is called Gateway To Technology, consisting of nine-week, stand-alone units, which can be implemented in grades six through eight, as determined by each school. The curriculum exposes students to a broad overview of the field of technology. The units are:<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Design and Modeling<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Magic of Electrons<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Science of Technology<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Automation and Robotics<\/p>\n<p>\u2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Flight and Space<\/p>\n<p>If all 50 states would establish career technical education in their high schools based on the successful PLTW curriculum, we could eliminate the skills shortage of manufacturing workers within the next five to six years and prepare the next generation of manufacturing and biotech workers to ensure that we have enough skilled workers for manufacturers to employ as more and more companies return manufacturing to America from outsourcing offshore and replace the \u201cbaby boomers\u201d as they retire over the next 20 years.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>According to a 2012 Pew Research Center analysis of census data, for the first time, a third of American 25- to 29-year-olds have earned at least a bachelor\u2019s degree. That share has been slowly edging up from fewer than one-fifth of young adults in the early 1970s to 33 percent this year. What happens to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[55,51],"tags":[11,98,100,99,101],"class_list":["post-427","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-education","category-manufacturing","tag-american-manufacturing","tag-career-technical-training","tag-curriculum","tag-education-2","tag-pltw"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=427"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":428,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/427\/revisions\/428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=427"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=427"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/savingusmanufacturing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=427"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}