CTE CommissionPurpose

…to strengthen and support quality career and technical

education programs and initiatives…

CTE CommissionProcess

65+ Commission Members Business & Education Local & Statewide Organizations

4 Meetings: August – November 2011

CTE Commission

Vision StatementAll Students Career-

Ready

CTE CommissionValues

Customer Focus Students Business

Lifelong LearningCommitment to Excellence

Flexibility

Current Strengths 16 career clusters Dual enrollment & articulation with

postsecondary CTE results: retention, graduation,

employability STEM camps, career academies, etc. Program and student credentialing,

apprenticeships, etc.

Current Challenges Image/perceptions/awareness Funding/units; scholarship availability,

facilities, equipment Lack of coordination/alignment among

education, business, and government Lack of pathways for everyone in a

school system Training for counselors in career

guidance and development

Recommendation 1Create a high-level state

business/education advisory council

Objective: To develop and monitor a five-year rolling strategic plan for PreK-20 education that helps align supply and demand.

Council membership:Council members are appointed by the GovernorCross-section of business leaders from each of the

16 clustersEducator representative: K-12, postsecondary,

higher educationEconomic development representativeAt-large representative (Governor’s discretion)Ex officio members (legislative body represented)

Recommendation 2Ensure that every student is enrolled in a career pathway developed in the 8th

grade and takes at least two sequenced career and technical education courses

Objectives: To meet the overall vision of the CTE Commission,

which is to prepare all students for meaningful careers

To elevate the importance of CTE to that of other academic courses

To encourage local reallocation of the use of CTE units

Recommendation 3Dramatically improve local business and

industry commitment to career development, exploration, and awareness

Objective: To develop active local partnerships between businesses and education to increase career awareness and provide financial support locally.

Lead: Regional workforce development councils with help from local chambers of commerce Rapid rollout of Alabama Scholars program Career awareness through activities provided through business

partnerships like the Worlds of Opportunity (Mobile area) and classroom presentations

Active support of student organizations like FBLA Provision of resources (privately and state)

Recommendation 4Consolidate local K-12 and

Postsecondary business advisory councils

Objectives: To leverage resources such as facilities,

equipment, instructors, and funding. To help align courses at the local

secondary and postsecondary institutions with employer needs.

Other Recommendations

Single diplomas With multiple pathways and course sequences to meet

the needs of every child Guidance and Counseling is a shared

responsibility Local workforce development councils participate in

guidance training Postsecondary shares grant-writing resources with

local directors Resource, implement, and enforce the existing

comprehensive counseling and guidance program Greater access to business and industry

credentialed individuals as educators Acknowledge industry credentials or demonstrated

competencies as stepping stone to competitive pay with individuals with college degrees for teacher certification

Other Recommendations

FundingRequest OM line item CTE funding for CTERequest CTE initiative fundingRequest bond issue for equipment and supplies

Summary1. Create a high-level state business/educator

advisory council to develop and monitor a five-year rolling strategic plan that aligns supply with demand.

2. Ensure that every student is enrolled in a career pathway and takes at least two CTE courses (concentrator).

3. Improve local business and industry commitment to career development, exploration, and awareness

4. Consolidate local K-12 and Postsecondary business advisory councils

EDUCATION MAKES US WHAT WE ARE

What is Alabama Scholars?

Business-led program that encourages high school students to take more rigorous courses so they will be better prepared for the workforce, postsecondary, or the military when they graduate.

Class RankFocus

STUDENT CLASS RANKING

Heaviest focus…greatest

opportunity

Minor focus…majority already

motivated

Special challenges

Upper 25%

Lower 25%

Middle 50%

The Scholars initiative is driving course completion for allstudents.

Students in the top quarter of the class are already motivated to excel in college and careers; they are already taking a Scholars course of study or will do so with little prompting.

It is the middle 50 percent of the class —students who do not yet identify with the goal of higher education or highly technical or skilled careers, kids who lack direction and take the path of least resistance, but who possess average or better capabilities —who are most likely to respond to guidance and incentives. By motivating them to stretch their academic muscles during high school, the Scholars initiative ensures that they will have the skills and knowledge they need to be successful after graduation. This is where the Scholars program places its heaviest emphasis.

CORE COURSES CREDITS

English 9, 10, 11, 12 4.0Social Studies 9, 10, 11, 12 4.0Science 4.0

Biology A Physical ScienceTwo Science electives (One may be embedded or substituted)

Mathematics 4.0Algebra IGeometryAlgebra II with Trig.Math elective (May be embedded or substituted)

Physical Education – LIFE course 1.0Health .05Arts Education .05Computer Applications .05Languages Other Than English 2.0

Two credits of the same language

Career and Technical Education Advanced Endorsement 3.0Three credits in a sequenced program or two credits in a sequenced program plus one related other course

Electives 0.5 ___

Total 24.0

NOTE:

In addition to graduating as a State Scholar, a student will graduate with the Advanced Academic Endorsement and the Advanced Career and Technical Education Endorsement

Course Requirements