Tech Prep Foundation Student Support Activities Module 10: Preparatory Services/Career Guidance/Special Populations

Elementary Years A good career development system at the elementary level should: Build basic skills Increase career awareness Help students see themselves as part of the future job force.

Middle Grades For the middle grades: Help students to see connections between education and future jobs Build fundamental skill and workplace skills Assess personal aptitudes, abilities and interests Integrate career awareness into classroom and other learning activities

Middle School Activities Guest speakers Courses Career fairs Job shadowing Career simulation Career portfolios Career interest inventories Career software Videos Research projects Interdisciplinary units Field trips Mentorships Incorporate into core classes

High School & Beyond Strategies to Promote Adolescent Career Maturity/Direction Getting Real: Helping Teens Find Their Future, Ken Gray The choice of a tentative career direction is made by 10 th Grade. In 11 th & 12 th Grades, students participate in activities to verify/reject these choices All students graduate with postsecondary plans with a probability of success

“Postsecondary success hinges on two factors: academic skills and commitment that comes from career direction.” Getting Real: Helping Teens Find Their Future; Kenneth Gray, Penn State University

Counselor’s Role in Tech Prep K-5: Promoting self- and career Awareness Grades 6-8: Encouraging career exploration Grades 9-12: Assisting students in career exploration/preparation

Counselor’s Role in Tech Prep (cont.) As a Leader: Dissemination & Explanation of Information Administration As a Facilitator Advising Parents Contributing to Tech Prep Curricula Participating in Tech Prep Partnerships

Goal 1: Promoting a Tentative Career Direction while in 10 th grade Individual Career Plans Career Pathways/Career Majors Career Academies

Goal 2: Verifying Tentative Career Directions Part-time work, summer work experiences Community based internships; co-op Volunteerism School-based enterprises Job Shadowing Internships Tech Prep Youth Apprenticeships

Goal 3: Developing a Postsecondary Plan Counselor System Faculty Advisor System Career Mentor Career Portfolio

Career Development & (progressive) WBL Elementary & Middle Schools Exploration Activity (career fair, etc) Job Shadowing Internships (co-op, extended campus, etc) Tech Prep Youth Apprenticeships

Connections to the Labor Market Offer occupational labor market info local state national Careers specific jobs advantages/disadvantages potential growth

Supply & Demand “Projections of Ed Stats to 2007” 43%734,3001,268,000Bachelors 90%43,000450,000Masters 3%46,00047,900Doctorate 27%58,20079,300*First- professional % Underemployed DemandSupplyDegree

Labor Market Information Look at both the occupational outlook AND the number of individuals credentialed Labor market advantage- very specific skill set Technical skills will be in high demand Oversupply of university graduates will continue Highest paying = managerial/professional; competition will be fierce; 2 nd & 3 rd highest paying = craft/precision and mfg/specialized repair; demand exceeds supply

Special Populations …”Individuals with disabilities, economically disadvantaged (including foster children), individuals preparing for non-traditional employment, single parents (including single pregnant women), displaced homemakers and those with other barriers to educational achievement, including limited English proficiency… Perkins III

Tech Prep Equity Activities for Required Elements Equity issues should be considered for each of the elements required under Perkins III. SEE NOTES

Illinois Non-Traditional Programs List is available of programs offered at Illinois secondary & postsecondary institutions at Jobs where women are 25% or less of total workforce = non-traditional for women Jobs where women are at or above 75% = non-traditional for men

Americans with Disabilities ACT (ADA) Prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability Covers work based learning programs Equal Employment Opportunity Commission administers this act

Special Education Categories Autism Deaf/Blindness Emotional Disturbance Hearing Impairments Mental Retardation Multiple Disabilities Orthopedic Impairment Other Health Impairment Specific Learning Disorder Speech or Language Impairment Traumatic Brain Injury Visual Impairment

Equity Activities for Career & Technical Education Schools can undertake specific activities to help students gain equal access to achievement in Career and Technical Education SEE NOTES

Blocks to equity Ethnocentrism Discrimination Stereotyping Cultural blindness Cultural imposition