Meeting with Senate Democratic Outreach Committee on Rural Issues

February 5th, 2010

Lincoln-portrait-2007-sized_1Senator Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) is chair of the Senator Democratic Leadership’s Outreach Committee on Rural Issues. NASDCTEc was one of twelve organizations invited to the U.S. Capitol to meet with the Committee to discuss ways to help rural communities meet their economic and workforce needs. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Roland Burris (D-IL), Jon Tester (D-MT), Ben Nelson (D-NE) were also in attendance.

Attendees at yesterday’s meeting discussed the critical importance of ensuring broadband access to rural communities to not only deliver distance education but also to allow individuals to work from home. Other topics of discussion included sector strategies and the role of community colleges in promoting rural economic development.

CTE has always played a strong role in rural America. According to NCES, about 43.5% of CTE is delivered in rural settings.  I shared the story of Mosquero, a very rural high school in New Mexico. On average the graduating class is just four students. Four! So you can imagine what a challenge it is to provide robust options and opportunities for students.  But Mosquero is doing just that!

With the support of a Microsoft Partners In Learning Grant, Mosquero has been able to implement an innovative program that gives the students exposure to a broad array of careers, empowers them with leadership skills, provides dual enrollment classes via distance education and fulfills important community needs. By using the Arts, A/V, Communications Career Cluster model as a framework, this community is developing talented entrepreneurs who know how to run a business, manage a budget, make persuasive presentations to a Board, and hire and manage staff.  What these students have been exposed to and are able to do by the end of their high school experience rivals what most college graduates do even in the first years of employment!

Growing your own is a longstanding  motto of rural America. Mosquero is investing in its youth and its future. Through the use of technology, community engagement, and innovative leadership, these students will be well-prepared for the 21st century workplace – no matter where that may be .

By Kimberly in Career Clusters
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You Haven’t Yet Made Your Flight Plans for the NASDCTEc Spring Meeting? Do It Now.

February 5th, 2010
Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

Cherry Blossoms in Washington DC

The NASDCTEc annual Spring Meeting here in the D.C. area is from March 29-31, 2010, which happens to be at the same time as the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. According to the National Park Service, the 2010 National Cherry Blossom Festival is scheduled for March 27-April 11. The festival is “one of the more heavily attended annual events in Washington, D.C., with hundreds of thousands of visitors expected.” What does this mean? You and a gazillion other folks will be competing for plane seats at the same time. Our staff and the Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) staff encourage you to book your flights now if you haven’t already. If you want to bookend your D.C. visit with a trip to see the blossoms, visit http://www.nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/cms/index.php?id=390 for more information.

By Ramona in Meetings
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Senate Releases Jobs Agenda to Be Voted on Next Week

February 5th, 2010

In December, the House passed the Jobs for Main Street Act which aims to create or save jobs through investments for highways and transit, school renovation, hiring teachers, police, and firefighters, small business, job training and affordable housing. These investments would be paid for by redirecting TARP funds from Wall Street to Main Street.

Yesterday, Senate Democrats released their own jobs agenda that they plan to bring up for a vote next week. They intend to move their jobs proposals through the Senate in a series of smaller bills, rather than a multi-billion bill like the one passed by the House in December.  The first of these smaller bills (tax incentive to spur job growth) is scheduled to come up for debate on Monday with the goal of passing it by the end of the week, according to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

Among the items on Senate Democrats’ jobs agenda:

  • Tax credits to encourage small businesses to hire employees and buy new equipment
  • Money to encourage construction projects by state and local governments, including school construction
  • Extending healthcare subsidies and unemployment payments for the jobless
  • Incentives to weatherize buildings
  • Aid to cash-strapped state and local governments to avoid further layoffs of teachers and other public employees
  • Summer Youth Jobs Program and Dislocated Worker Training Program

By Nancy in Legislation, Public Policy
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College and Career Readiness Goals Not Reflected in Most High School Accountability Systems

February 5th, 2010

In College-and-Career Ready: Using Outcomes Data to Hold High Schools Accountable for Student Success, the Education Sector reports that many districts rate schools solely on graduation rates and on student scores on basic-skills tests in a single year, but finds that most high school accountability systems fail to recognize college and career ready goals. The report suggests that states can do more to recognize college and career readiness goals by calculating the earnings of graduates who enter the workforce, broken down by occupation and industry sector.

By Ramona in Publications
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Data Quality Campaign Releases Annual Survey on Elements of Longitudinal Data Systems

February 5th, 2010

In order to track student progress and answer critical policy questions, states have been developing longitudinal data systems. The Data Quality Campaign’s Compendium report provides a national overview on state progress toward implementing the ten elements below:

  • Statewide student identifier
  • Student-level enrollment data
  • Student-level test data
  • Information on untested students
  • statewide teacher identifier
  • Student-level course completion (transcript) data
  • Student-level SAT, ACT, and AP data
  • Student-level graduation and dropout data
  • Ability to match student-level P-12 and higher education data
  • State data audit system

According to the report, data on course-taking and grades (element 6), college readiness test scores (element 7), and other feedback from post-secondary institutions (element 9) can help determine whether high school courses and graduation standards are aligned with college and workplace expectations.

By Ramona in Publications, Research, Uncategorized
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ROI Programs Demonstrate Value, Await Funding

February 4th, 2010

More than ever before government leaders are scrutinizing their investments and tying funding to programs that demonstrate a return on investment (ROI), even in the areas of education. A new flow of federal monies will be allocated selectively to programs that can or have the potential to provide the most bang for the buck. But before government leaders scour for new programs to invest in, a recent article on Forbes.com warns them not to overlook existing programs that have a history of delivering a positive return.

The article, Risking America’s Return on Investment, focuses on the effectiveness of federal TRIO programs, which are dedicated to assisting low-income students to succeed in college. However, the message can also apply to the many career technical education (CTE) programs under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, which has helped serve the same student demographic and shares a range of success stories. Like TRIO, Perkins funding has remained stagnant for too many years.

Arnold L. Mitchem, President of the Council for Opportunity in Education and author of the article, praises leaders such as President Obama for supporting education funding and seeking a range of avenues for achieving ROI, but notes a risk.

“It’s a good and noble idea, but our country is at risk of having a negative ROI if it fails to invest in programs that have proven records of helping historically disadvantaged students succeed,” Mitchem said.

NASDCTEc recently published Return on Investment in CTE, which highlights programs in three states – Oklahoma, Tennessee and Washington – that have data indicating students in their programs earn higher wages than their non CTE peers, contribute more to their state in tax revenue, and have better postsecondary outcomes.

Quality CTE programs have a record of providing a ROI and it is only appropriate that government leaders consider the longstanding existing programs when shopping for worthy programs to fund.

By Erin in Public Policy, Uncategorized
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President Urges Investment in Skills and Education in State of Union Address

January 27th, 2010

In a State of the Union address that focused mainly on the economy, President Obama outlined measures already taken by his administration – ARRA, bank bailouts, unemployment benefits – and those he wishes to undertake in the coming year to address the financial crisis.  In calling for a new jobs bill, the president said that jobs must be the number one focus of 2010.

As countries like China and Germany are revamping their economies and rebuilding their infrastructures, President Obama declared, “I do not accept second place for the United States of America.”  To that end, the president urged a greater investment in the skills and education of Americans.  Among the proposed and existing initiatives in that area:

  • Race to the Top grant program
  • Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act
  • Community college bill
  • Middle-class Taskforce
  • Student loan forgiveness and tax credits

Regarding the community college bill that has already passed the House, the president said: “Still, in this economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job. I urge the Senate to follow the House and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges, which are a career pathway to the children of so many working families.”

As we told you yesterday, President Obama proposed freezing all non-security federal discretionary spending for three years as part of his plan to reduce the deficit.  He said the administration will invest in what the country needs and cut what we don’t need, promising to use his veto power if necessary.

By Nancy in Public Policy
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Return on Investment Advocacy Tool

January 27th, 2010

State and federal policymakers are making tough decisions on where to direct scarce funding, but outcomes of some studies suggest that CTE is a wise choice if they are seeking a positive return on investment.

Check out our latest leave behind about the return on investment in CTE that we will use to inform legislators and their staff on the Hill about financial benefits to the government, the individual, and the economy.  You can access a copy of it here.  This leave behind highlights return on investment studies conducted in the three states — Oklahoma,  Tennessee, and Washington.

Please feel free to use this document to inform policymakers and legislators in your state about the benefits of CTE!

By Nancy in NASDCTEc Resources, Publications
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White House To Propose Three-Year Non-Discretionary Spending Freeze

January 26th, 2010

President Obama is expected to announce in tomorrow night’s State of the Union Address that he will propose in his fiscal year 2011 budget freezing all non-security federal discretionary spending for three years in an effort to reduce the $1.4 trillion deficit.

While details have not been released by the White House, the Wall Street Journal is reporting that all discretionary spending not related to the military, veterans, homeland security and international affairs will be subject to the freeze. The limits will not be imposed across the board, however. Some areas would see cuts while others, including education and job creation programs, may see increases. Such a freeze is estimated to save $250 billion over ten years.

The specific details of the proposed freeze will be officially unveiled on Monday, February 1 when the President publicly releases his fiscal year 2011 budget.

By Nancy in Public Policy
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Career Clusters Institute: Registration Open, Continuing Education Credits Offered

January 21st, 2010

career clusters ADRegistration for the 8th annual Career Clusters Institute has gone live and for the first time the Institute is offering attendees the opportunity to earn Continuing Education Units. Educators will be able to acquire CEUs while they learn about the most up-to-date best practices taking place with Career Clusters.

To register for the Institute visit the Career Clusters Web site. Early bird registration continues until February 26.

The Institute has been accredited by the Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning at the University of Louisville to offer 12 hours of CEU earning potential. One hour is equivalent to 1/10 of a unit. The maximum possible units earned will be 1.2 units. Cost is $50 flat rate to participate; educators may earn the maximum units available.

Earning CEUs at the Institute can be done in a few easy steps:

Step 1: Pick up the forms

When you arrive at the Institute, visit the registration desk to pick up your general information/participation form. Hold onto this form until the end of your time at the Institute.

Step 2: Sign-in at breakout sessions

Each breakout you attend will be an opportunity for you to count towards earning CEUs. You must print and sign your name, and provide an e-mail address or telephone number at each session on a form that will be provided to you. This step will verify your participation and is essential for receiving credit. You are not responsible for sending in any sign-in forms.

Step 3: Turn in the paperwork and payment

You will have 6 weeks following the completion of the Institute to submit your general information/participation form and payment. There is a one-time fee of $50. You will submit payment via check (payable to University of Louisville) with your paperwork or call them to pay via credit card:

Julijana Curcic

Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning

University of Louisville

Shelby Campus, 110 Founders Union building

Louisville, KY 40292

If you have any questions about payment at any point, please contact Ms. Curcic: julijana.curcic@louisville.edu, 502-852-5636

Step 4: Receive your certificate!

You will receive a certificate via mail with your name, the Institute’s name, the number of hours accumulated and how many CEUs you have earned. (If you have questions about the certificate, please contact Ms. Curcic from the University of Louisville – see contact information above).

By Erin in Uncategorized

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