CONNECTING SECONDARY STUDENTS TO CAREER PATHWAYS KEEPING KANSAS COMPETITIVE: CAREER PATHWAYS SUMMIT JUNE 2, 2011

Information about the Wichita Public Schools 50,000 students K-12 7 comprehensive high schools with enrollments ranging from 1,100 to over 2,000 students 1 magnet high school with an enrollment of 600 students 2 alternative high schools with enrollments around 150 students 12,500 students grades 9-12

Career and Technical Education in USD 259 Mission of CTE is to provide quality career and technical education opportunities to students in the Wichita Public Schools. 19 programs or pathways currently offered at the high school level. 291 unique CTE courses CTE enrollment of 8,883 students representing 66% of all high school students

“Pathways” in CTE A sequence of courses in a particular occupational area Introductory Level – introductory information and skills specific to a chosen career field Technical Level – development of technical skills and more specific information about the chosen career field Application Level – course designed to continue the development of technical skills through application of those skills Professional Learning Experiences – opportunities for students to experience the occupation through activities that are as authentic to the world of work as possible Articulation with postsecondary programs

Connecting with Postsecondary Articulation agreements with area/regional technical and community colleges and 4-year universities Partnership with the Wichita Manufacturing Association(WMA) and Wichita Area Technical College Partnering with community and technical college to deliver instruction Hutchinson Community College – EMT Wichita Area Technical College – CNA, CMA, HHA, OSHA

Connecting with Business and Industry Advisory committees Teacher and counselor externships Student internships Career and Technical Student Organizations providing students opportunities to develop leadership skills and refine technical skills through competitions

A District Plan for Career Awareness and Exploration Kansas Career Pipeline All 7 th graders take a interest survey All 10 th graders take a skills survey All 11 th graders take work values survey Survey information is available to be shared with parents and used in making enrollment decisions Tons of resources researching postsecondary training and education, as well resources to aid in finding employment ACT Plan and Explore Assessments Career fairs at every High School

Pre-Engineering Pathway – Project Lead the Way Gateway to Technology is offered at all the district’s middle schools – 25 labs in 18 different schools Curriculum is an elective choice for all 7 th and 8 th graders and includes: design and modeling; automation and robotics; science of technology, and electronics Feeder for program offered at five high schools Specialty engineering areas: aerospace, biotechnical, civil and architecture, computer integrated manufacturing, and a capstone design course Wichita State University is the affiliate university

Wichita High School West – A Career Academy Freshmen Academy Academy Themes: Business and Hospitality; Engineering and Manufacturing; Fine Arts and Communications; and Health and Human Services Technical Magnet High School – In Development Areas of emphasis: manufacturing, STEM, health, and information technology

New Graduation Policy Beginning with the class of 2013, this year’s current sophomores, all students will have two new requirements: Financial Literacy A one semester course for juniors and seniors Taught by business or FACS teachers, primarily Includes: personal financial management, incomes and taxes, budgeting, bank accounts, credit and credit risks Project-based CTE for All Students A minimum of.5 (one semester) course from any approved CTE program or pathway

Rigorous Programs of Study US Department of Education/Office of Vocational and Adult Education (OVAE) Grant co written/submitted by the Kansas Department of Education the Kansas Board of Regents Four school districts: Wichita, Derby, Emporia, Nemaha Valley Postsecondary Partners: Flint Hills Technical College, Manhattan Area Technical College, Wichita Area Technical College, Butler Community College, Hutchinson Community College, and Fort Hays State University State area (pathway) of Emphasis: Manufacturing – Production

Rigorous Programs of Study Components Legislation and Policies that promote the development and implementation of CTE programs of study Partnerships that are collaborative, validate technical and work readiness skills, and promote workforce and economic development Professional Development that supports aligned curriculum, the integration of academics and CTE, and foster innovative teaching and learning strategies Accountability and Evaluation Systems that yield valid data on key student outcomes (state longitudinal data system) College and Career Readiness Standards that incorporates essential knowledge and skills, industry-recognized technical standards, rigorous academic knowledge and skills; and be internationally benchmarked

Rigorous Programs of Study Components Course Sequences that maps out recommended academic and CTE courses Credit Transfer Agreements that provide a seamless (automatic) process for students to earn college credit for courses taken in high school Guidance Counseling and Academic Advisement that is based upon guidance and counseling standards, providing up-to-date information about CTE programs of study, and offers resources for career exploration and surveys Teaching and Learning Strategies that incorporate team-building, critical thinking, problem solving and communication skills, encourages CTSO activities, and have an interdisciplinary approach Technical Skills Assessments that are national, state and/or local assessments that measure students attainment of technical skills

Work Readiness = College Readiness = Success Readiness How ready are you? Choose your pathway Choose your future Choose CTE