Office of Vocational and Adult Education Initiatives in Support of High School Reform

1. Archived Information Office of Vocational and Adult Education Initiatives in Support of High School Reform Karen Stratman Clark SLC Institutes November/December 2003

2. No Child Left Behind • Strengthening accountability for results • Focusing on what works • Expanding options and choices for students • Reducing bureaucracy and increasing flexibility

3. What is a Program of Study? • A single career pathway based on high-skill, high-wage occupations; begins at the secondary level and continues into a postsecondary institution through a degree plan, a major, etc. (Example pathways: allied health, information technology, engineering)

4. Purpose of the POS Clearinghouse • Identify successful programs based upon 5 criteria that have been set forth by OVAE. • Distribute information about the successful programs in a searchable database so that other schools can build new programs based upon flourishing models. • Help foster successful Career and Technical Education.

5. Criterion #1 A coherent, articulated sequence of courses, offered to students on a voluntary basis, which begin in high school, include rigorous academic courses as well as career and technical courses, and culminate in an industry-recognized certificate, registered apprenticeship, or associate or baccalaureate degree.

6. Criterion #2 The high school academic component must, at a minimum, be made up of the same core courses that have been identified by the state as necessary preparation for enrollment in postsecondary institutions.

7. Criterion #3 The career and technical component must be developed in partnership with business and employer groups and prepare students for self-supporting employment in high-demand occupational areas.

8. Criterion #4 At the secondary level, programs must prepare students for both successful achievement of State academic standards and more advanced work related to their occupational area of interest, and should offer opportunities for 11th and 12th graders to earn dual/concurrent enrollment credit.

9. Criterion #5 At the postsecondary level, programs must be open to enrollment by adults who meet academic prerequisites, whether or not they were enrolled at the secondary level.

10. Clearinghouse Process • Partnerships are asked to complete an initial survey to determine if they meet the criteria. • The programs that mostly meet the criteria are invited to provide more in depth information about factors that make their program successful. • Selected programs are included in the POS Clearinghouse so that other schools may benefit from their knowledge.

11. Two Categories of the Clearinghouse • Successful Programs • A program that meets criterion one and completely meets at least 2 of the other criteria as well. These programs are characterized by a seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary schooling. • Emerging Programs • A promising POS that meets Criterion One and is on a path to fully meet two or more of the other criteria soon. These programs are characterized by a seamless transition from secondary to postsecondary schooling. Programs often young or newly developed.

12. Program Information To Be Included In Clearinghouse • Broad Description of the Program • Demographics • Curriculum • Facilities and Equipment • Finances/Budgets • Significant Employer and the Community Involvement • Work-site Learning Components of the Program • Effective Recruitment of Students; Retention Practices • Improvements in Instructional Strategies

13. Program Information to be Included in the ClearinghouseContinued • Computer- and Internet-Based Technology Used to Enhance Learning • Professional Development for Faculty and Staff;Faculty Credentials • Effective Practices of Early Remediation • Articulation Strategies/Guidelines • Credits and Certifications • Data to Show Student Progress/Program Success

14. State Scholars Initiative • Encouraging and honoring the “middle 50%” of students in taking a challenging high school curriculum. • www.centerforstatescholars.org • States participating 2002: • Arkansas, Indiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Tennessee, (Texas) • New states, announced 2003: • Kentucky, Connecticut, Washington, New Mexico, Mississippi, and New Jersey

15. College and Career Transitions Initiative • 15 high school/community college partnerships chosen from 150 applicants. • Pathways connected high school to colleges. Rigorous academics and career classes. • Located in AZ, CA, FL, IN, MD, MO, NC, NY, PA, OH, OR, VA, WI. • Covering 5 occupational areas: Education, Health sciences, Information technology, Law & Public Safety, Science/Technology,and Engineering. • (www.league.org/ccti)

16. Adolescent Literacy • Partnership between ED and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development • Five-year research study—Supporting Teachers to Close Adolescent Literacy Gaps • Expanded instruction time, teacher modeling, focused mini-lessons, cooperative student team discussions, self-selected reading.

17. Community Technology Centers • Realigned this year with the Department’s priority on improvement of secondary schools. • Currently budgeted at $20 million for next year. • Allows for school/community partnerships to fund technological innovations that will improve reading/math achievement.