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State of the Union Focuses on Education, CTE Student Sits with First Lady

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

In his second State of the Union Address, President Barack Obama set a broad agenda for improving the economy and maintaining the United States’ status as a global super power. Calling this our “Sputnik moment,” the President urged Congress, private businesses and the American people to work together to out-innovate, out-educate and out-build the rest of the world.

Recognizing that the world has changed and that a high degree is no longer sufficient to earn a family sustaining wage, Obama focused on the ways that education can help turn around the economy. First, he cautioned against “pour[ing] money into a system that’s not working” and highlighted the ways that his Race to the Top grants have reformed education through the adoption of new standards. He also stated that Race to the Top should be the foundation for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind this year. Among the other education priorities that he addressed were: raising the status of the teaching profession, increasing the number of STEM teachers, making postsecondary more accessible and affordable, and training individuals for new careers and new jobs.

He also stressed the importance of community colleges in meeting the demands of out fast-changing economy and singled out Kathy Proctor, a student at Forsyth Tech in North Carolina who is earning her degree in biotechnology at the age of 55 because the furniture factories in her town have disappeared.

However, despite the President’s call for greater investment in things like innovation, education and infrastructure, last night he proposed a five-year freeze on non-defense discretionary spending beginning this year. This comes after House Republicans have pledged to return appropriations levels to FY08 or FY06 levels. So while we don’t know what spending levels will look like after the CR expires in March, it seems certain that there not be any funding increases this year.

On a brighter note, Brandon Ford, a junior at the Academy of Automotive and Mechanical Engineering at West Philadelphia High School was invited to be a guest in First Lady Michelle Obama’s box last night. Brandon was recognized for his participation in the Progressive Automotive X PRIZE competition, in which teams from across the globe compete to create production-ready, highly fuel efficient vehicles. Brandon and his team went up against corporations, universities and other well-funded organizations from around the world, advancing all the way to the elimination round. Congratulations, Brandon!

By Nancy in News, Public Policy
Tags: appropriations, common core state standards, community colleges, Congress, federal legislation, funding, global competition, Job training, NCLB/ESEA, Post Secondary Access and Affordability, postsecondary, president, race to the top, Secondary, Standards, STEM

ACE Mentor Program Provides STEM-Related Experiences to Students

Wednesday, January 26th, 2011

The ACE Mentor Program (Architecture, Construction, and Engineering) is a mentorship program for students interested in careers in architecture, construction, and engineering, and provides students with early career exposure as well as scholarship opportunities. The program is a nationwide, bi-weekly after-school activity for high school students led mostly by volunteer teachers and industry professionals. Classes are regularly supplemented with guest speakers and site visits, providing students with real exposure to the field.

At a time when secondary to postsecondary transitions are in the spotlight, the ACE Mentor Program offers an impressive model of experiential learning in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) related fields. A recent article, Mentor Program Introduces Students to STEM-Related Fields, examines the ACE Mentor Program of Greater Washington Inc., and describes the program and its impact on high school students across the D.C. metropolitan area. Program highlights included the students’ visits to construction sites, hearing about the experiences of a recent STEM graduate, and a discussion of building design.

According to teachers and ACE alumni, the program has been successful in recruiting students to pursue careers in architecture, construction, and engineering. A 2009 ACE Mentor Program survey of recent alumni (from 2002-2009) suggests that most alumni were influenced to pursue an ACE career path as a result of participating in the mentorship program. Additionally, there is evidence the program encouraged students to perform better academically. While the national high school graduation rate is about 73 percent, ninety-seven percent of ACE students graduated from high school. Additionally, while 68 percent of all U.S. high school students enroll in college, ninety-four percent of ACE students reportedly enrolled in college.

In the previously mentioned article, White House policy analyst Kumar Garg states, “Exposing students to different types of careers and how to get there has a powerful impact on their motivation in school and getting good grades, whether their interest is in science and technology, and what they do to get there.” The ACE Mentor Program is a powerful tool for students. Alumni bode well with a high graduation rate, high college enrollment, and student interest in the ACE field. ACE programs such as this may provide students with exposure and knowledge in areas they may not have previously considered, increasing interest in STEM fields and easing the secondary to postsecondary transition for students.

By Kara in News
Tags: college and career readiness, Job training, Secondary, STEM

Legislative Update: ESEA, Appropriations, Senate Retirements

Friday, January 21st, 2011

Sen. Harkin Plans to Draft ESEA This Spring

Senator Tom Harkin (IA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, has announced that he hopes to have a draft of the ESEA reauthorization bill by the time the Senate recesses in April, with plans to bring it to the floor in late spring. Senator Michael Enzi (WY), Ranking Member of the committee, has not committed to this timeline, but his office has said that “a bipartisan bill remains a top priority.”

Harkin will be getting help this session from Sen. Jeff Bingaman (NM) who will take over retired Connecticut Sen. Chris Dodd’s role as the “Number Two” man on ESEA reauthorization in the Senate. Bingaman’s focus has been on English-language learners, math and science education, high school reform and graduation rates.

In the House, Rep. John Kline (MN), Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, has made it clear that he hopes to pass a series of smaller bills to address the issues contained in ESEA, rather than a large scale overhaul. It remains unclear how this will play out as both chambers must reach compromise in order to pass a bill.

House Names Labor-HHS Democratic Assignments

We told you last week which Republicans would serve on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, which oversees funding decisions for education programs. This week we have word on which Democrats will be on the subcommittee:

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CT), Ranking Member
Nita Lowey (NY)
Jesse Jackson, Jr. (IL)
Lucille Roybal-Allard (CA)
Barbara Lee (CA)

A Number of Senators Announce Retirements in 2012

Last week Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson (TX) announced that she will not run for reelection in 2012. The senior Senator from Texas has served in Congress since 1993 and is a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services which oversees Perkins funding.

Sen. Kent Conrad (ND) released a statement this week saying that he will not seek reelection in 2012. First elected to Congress in 1986, Conrad currently serves as the chair of the Senate Budget Committee and is one of the Senate’s most powerful members.

On Wednesday Sen. Joe Lieberman (CT) announced that he would not seek a fifth term in 2012. Lieberman has served Connecticut in the Senate since 1988 and is Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. He also serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee.

By Nancy in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, budget, Congress, funding, Graduation Rates, NCLB/ESEA, Perkins, STEM

Hard Work Pays Off for New Jersey CTE Student

Wednesday, January 12th, 2011

Marie Barry, New Jersey State Director, is pleased to share the news that Shelly Grinshpun, Biotechnology High School student and FFA Vice President, whose achievements in science and technology led to national acknowledgment at the White House Science Fair Winners recognition event, met President Obama and other dignitaries who honored her and other students from across the nation. Grinshpun, a 2009 National Agriscience Fair winner, traveled to Washington, DC with her FFA advisor, Erin Dwyer.

The White House Science Fair is part of President Obama’s Educate to Innovate program, which celebrates the winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions.

Grinshpun later participated in the 2010 National FFA Convention and received a Gold Award for her project “The Bacterial Inhibition Properties of Various Components of Tomato Plants” at the 2010 National FFA Agriscience Fair. The National FFA Agriscience Fair is a competition for FFA members who are interested in the science and technology of agriculture and is held each year during the National FFA Convention.

The New Jersey State Board of Education plans to recognize Grinshpun for her accomplishments at their February 2 Board meeting. Biotechnology High School is located in Freehold, NJ and provides a collaborative learning environment with a life science focus that prepares students for higher education, the evolving workplace, and citizenship in the global community through a challenging curriculum, exploration of scholarly research, design and implementation of original investigations, and interactive partnerships. The school also believes that development of teamwork and problem solving skills is essential for success in the evolving workplace, and that partnership with industry, higher education, and community-based organizations provide relevant applications of the curriculum and opportunities to develop workplace readiness and professional networking skills.

By Ramona in News
Tags: STEM

Legislative Update: Veterans’ Training Bill, Appropriations, America COMPETES

Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010

Veterans’ Training Bill Passed; Expands Eligibility to Area CTE Centers

Late last week the House passed the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act of 2010 by a vote of 409-3, after it was cleared by unanimous consent in the Senate earlier in the week. The bill now goes to President Obama for his signature. This bill will allow veterans to use their benefits at educational institutions that do not award associate or higher degrees, such as area career technical schools, career schools, and apprenticeship programs. This would be a change from the current Post-9/11 GI Bill, which does not allow participants to use funds at a non-degree granting institution. The new eligibility provisions will go into effect on October 1, 2011. This is a tremendous victory for CTE and a recognition of the high quality programs that our area CTE centers offer!

Congress Passes Short-Term Continuing Resolution

The House on Tuesday passed a continuing resolution (CR) by a vote of 193 to 165 that would fund the government and all federal programs at FY10 levels through March 4. The Senate approved the bill earlier on Tuesday by a vote of 79-16. With the shift in power in the House, and the weakened Democratic hold over the Senate, there is sure to be a more partisan fight over spending as expiration of the CR draws near in March. Soon-to-be Speaker of the House John Boehner (Ohio) has already said that he wants to roll back federal spending to 2008 levels.

America COMPETES Act Passed by Congress

The House this week passed the America COMPETES Act by a vote of 228 to 130, after it was approved by unanimous consent in the Senate last week. The bill now heads to President Obama for his signature. The goal of the bill is to improve the competitiveness of the United States by investing in innovation through research and development. There are a variety of provisions in the bill that will impact STEM education, such as the coordination of federal STEM education efforts, grants to increase the number of STEM teachers, and other improvements in STEM education. Because Congress wanted to pass this bill before the current session of Congress ends, the House had little choice but to accept the Senate version of the bill which scales back funding from the original House bill and reauthorizes the bill for three years instead of five.

By Nancy in Legislation
Tags: appropriations, area CTE schools, budget, Congress, federal legislation, funding, future, global competition, Job training, postsecondary, president, Secondary, STEM, veterans

A Look Inside: A Synopsis of CTE Trends

Thursday, December 9th, 2010

Earlier this fall, NASDCTEc hosted a webinar highlighting the recent trends seen in CTE governance, teacher shortages, funding and Career Clusters implementation, based on results collected and analyzed from the 2010 State Profile Survey. We are now happy to announce the release of A Look Inside: A Synopsis of CTE Trends, a four-part series analyzing state CTE data and initiatives:

Each section within the series provides a closer look and a better understanding of the structure and trends within CTE. While states are grappling with how to plan for the future in this uncertain economic climate, this series can help provide insights into the movement of CTE throughout the United States.

By Nancy in NASDCTEc Resources, Publications
Tags: appropriations, ARRA, budget, Career Clusters®, college and career readiness, community colleges, Congress, Data, funding, Perkins, postsecondary, Public Policy, Secondary, STEM, teachers, Webinars

Addressing the Engineering Shortage – Top Four Jobs within the Field

Friday, September 17th, 2010

Understanding the various pathways and opportunities within a field is crucial when deciding if a career is right for you. Engineering is no exception. With over 20 different majors within the engineering field alone, it is important for students to find their niche early, in order to plan accordingly and ensure future success. According to a report released by the Institute for a Competitive Workforce, the engineering/STEM pathway is one area where there is a need for more students entering the field as well as more qualified teachers and instructors.

A recent article published in The Wall Street Journal, A Career in Engineering, explores the hottest pathways for aspiring engineers – civil, mechanical, environmental and biomedical engineering – and provides guidance for further advancement within these areas. Emphasized within the article is the need for prospective engineers to understand the intersection between science and math, and how these two areas play an integral role in the engineering field.

The article goes on to discuss how, within each pathway, further education and certifications such as engineer-in-training (EIT) and professional engineer (PE) are necessary to take the next step within a career. Because this field continues to change and become more advanced, engineers must not only learn the technical skills, but they must learn how to apply their academic knowledge as well.

Engineering is a growing field within the career technical education community. There are a number of avenues individuals can choose from, and it is imperative for people to conduct their research so they make can make an informed decision. With the increasing need, especially within STEM programs, to prepare students for college and career, knowing and understanding the different aspects of this field can help to increase the number of prospective students and the number of qualified teachers and instructors within the engineering field.

By Nancy in News
Tags: college and career readiness, STEM

Race to the Top Creates Focus on STEM Initiatives

Friday, September 10th, 2010

With the announcement of the 10 Race to the Top Finalists comes an increased emphasis on STEM education improvement. The U.S. Department of Education classified STEM as a “competitive preference priority” on the Race to the Top application in the hopes of encouraging states to increase these types of programs.

A recent blog from Education Week, STEM Education to Get Boost From Race to Top Winners, highlights this focus on STEM by providing examples of how select states are using their grants to implement new STEM initiatives, including:

Ohio plans to increase the amount of STEM programs and support services to low-achieving schools, to enhance STEM-oriented early-college high school programs and to strengthen existing STEM schools and programs to eventually act as professional development sites.
Maryland will develop elementary STEM standards and create an elementary STEM teaching certificate. The State Department of Education also plans to establish a partnership with the Maryland Business Roundtable in support of strengthening STEM standards and instruction.
North Carolina plans to create a number of “exemplar high schools” each focused on a different STEM theme (e.g., biotechnology, aerospace). These schools will serve as models and residency sites providing high level STEM curriculum.

STEM is one CTE area that is in high demand for students as well as qualified teachers. A recent report from Georgetown University stated that by 2018 there will be 8 million STEM jobs available. In addition, a report from the National Association for Alternative Certification, focusing on the need for qualified STEM teachers, noted that, “Just 23% of 12th grade students scored at or above the proficient level in math on the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP).”

Both of these statistics show the need for enhanced STEM initiatives. With the Race to the Top grant money, states will be able to provide additional funding for these types of programs in the hopes of addressing the current and future needs of STEM in both education and the workforce.

By Nancy in News, Public Policy
Tags: race to the top, STEM

Legislative Update: Education Jobs, Veteran’s Training Bill, For-Profit Recruitment, STEM Education Bill

Friday, August 6th, 2010

Education Jobs Clears the Senate

The Senate voted yesterday to pass the Murray-Harkin amendment, which includes $10 billion for education jobs and $16.1 billion for federal Medicaid payments. The amendment passed 61-39, with Senators Collins and Snowe the only Republicans to join all Democrats in voting for it. The House is scheduled to convene at 10 a.m. on Tuesday for a vote on the bill..

Veteran Employment Assistance Act

The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs approved S. 3234, Veteran Employment Assistance Act of 2010, which would improve employment, training, and placement services furnished to veterans, especially those serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The bill will now be reported to the full Senate for consideration.

Senate HELP Hearing on For-Profit Schools

On Wednesday the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing on “For-Profit Schools: The Student Recruitment Experience.” The Committee heard from Gregory Kutz of GAO who recently conducted an investigation into the recruitment process at proprietary schools and found that the abuses are systemic and that oversight is lax. Joshua Pruyn, a former admissions representative at Westwood College, also testified about enrollment quotas imposed on reps, awards given for enrolling students, and the psychological games they were encouraged to play with prospective students.

21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act

Rep. Lynn Woolsey (CA) introduced H.R. 6078, the 21st Century STEM for Girls and Underrepresented Minorities Act. This bill would amend ESEA to provide grants to LEAs to encourage girls and underrepresented minorities to pursue studies and careers in STEM.

By Nancy in Legislation
Tags: Congress, federal legislation, funding, Job training, NCLB/ESEA, STEM, veterans

Duncan Touts CTE in Speech at National Press Club

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

duncan-arne-sec_-of-ed_-3-09 At a luncheon today at the National Press Club, during which he announced the finalists for round two of Race to the Top, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan spoke about the education reforms that the Obama Administration is undertaking, and what lies ahead for federal education policy. Secretary Duncan stressed that as the United States lags behind other nations in science, math and college completion, that we must educate our way to a better economy. Some strategies for improving student achievement and restoring the United States’ position as first in the world in college graduates include federal incentives such as Race to the Top, Investing in Innovation grants, and the Teacher Incentive Fund; a change in ESEA accountability systems; and common standards, as well as the curriculum and assessments to accompany new standards.

During the Q&A portion of the event, a question was submitted that asked whether the United States needed more CTE. The Secretary responded that yes, students will benefit from programs such as apprenticeships that allow students to “work with their hands,” that provide a range of options, and that give students a reason to stay in school. He went on to remind the audience that CTE does not happen just at the secondary level, and that community colleges play a vital role in training students in emerging fields such as STEM and green technologies.

By Nancy in Public Policy
Tags: community colleges, economy, green jobs, postsecondary, Public Policy, Secondary, Secretary Duncan, STEM

Posts Tagged ‘STEM’