Website Mission
It is the mission of this website to assist in the development of learning environments that promote Career and Technical Education as well as academic excellence. To provide examples of effective 21st century teaching and learning strategies in order to assist in the development of more engaged and motivated classrooms. To provide multimedia Podcasts and articles to facilitate an understanding of how to implement technology and multimedia in classrooms regardless of content area. To encourage independent and personalized learning by teaching students to enjoy the process of learning. To assist teachers in becoming facilitators of learning.
PA Programs of Study
The intent of the Programs of Study (POS) is to align academic and career and technical standards to postsecondary education institutions. By combining academic rigors, career education, and work standards, students will be be prepared for both postsecondary education and the workplace. The development and implementation of the POS is funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006. Specifically, the purpose of Perkins is to provide individuals with the academic and technical skills needed to succeed in a knowledge- and skills-based economy (http://www.acteonline.org/perkins.aspx#background).
The primary elements of the POS are; include coherent and rigorous content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant career and technical content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses that align secondary education with postsecondary education to adequately prepare students to succeed in postsecondary education; may include the opportunity for secondary education students to participate in dual or concurrent enrollment programs or other ways to acquire postsecondary education credits and lead to an industry-recognized credential or certificate at the postsecondary level or an associate or baccalaureate degree (http://www.education.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt/community/programs_of_study/7686/framework/679310).
I assisted in the development of the POS Phase IV for the CIP Code 10.9999, Communications Technologies/Technicians and Support Services, Other. l had the pleasure of working with industry professionals, postsecondary professors, and secondary educators to develop the the task list of competencies the students must complete. Currently, we are developing the NOCTI exam that students will take at the completion of their program. Once completed, the Bureau of Career and Technical Education will work with postsecondary institutions to align a course of study through a dual or concurrent enrollment, articulated credit, or other ways which lead to a PA-recognized, industry-based credential, credit-bearing certificate, or associate or baccalaureate degree.
