Tech Directions - March 2008 - (Page 9)

the news report Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com Profiles Provide Comprehensive Overview of State CTE Systems The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announces the release of a series of new state profiles providing a comprehensive overview of states’ career and technical education systems. The profiles communicate information that provides a better understanding of CTE systems, which have grown in complexity as states have initiated new and innovative reforms to meet the needs of students and employers. Each profile contains links to additional documents and background materials. Information was gained from interviews with state leaders; analysis of states’ federal Perkins Career and Technical Education Act implementation plans; and various federal, state, and local agency Web sites. The first six state profiles were released in December: California, Georgia, Iowa, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Virginia. “The project provides a map of sorts,” says ACTE Executive Director Janet Bray. “We receive many requests from business and industry, school reform advocates, policymakers, and others who are interested in CTE but unfamiliar with navigating these complex state systems that continue to evolve. The profiles offer a ‘one-stop shop’ and additional transparency.” While state profiles vary somewhat based on available information, all address four specific areas: (1) Key Facts, including information about student enrollment, delivery systems, and funding; (2) State Administration, outlining the key contacts, agencies, CTE standards, and program approval process; (3) CTE Initiatives and Related Policies, such as the state’s education and workforce agenda, high school redesign, emerging strategies such as career clusters and academies, and industry involvement; (4) Results; and (5) Local Program Examples. ACTE will continue to build the state profiles database. View the state profiles on the ACTE Web site at www.acteonline.org/resource_ center/state_profiles.cfm. specialists. Today, there are approximately 400,000 ASE- certified professionals who work in dealerships, independent shops, service stations, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, machine shops, schools, and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ase.com. Summit Technology Academy Students Win ACTE’s PSA Contest The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) announced that Danielle Simons, Collin Russel, Taylor Jones, and Jonny McBee from Summit Technology Academy, Lee’s Summit, MO, won the CTE Month PSA contest with an entry entitled “Finding Your Way.” The winners received $750 and a free copy of Apple’s Final Cut Studio 2, a professional video-editing suite donated by Apple. Brent Garner from HEB Technical Education Center, Bedford, TX, was the runner up. He received copy of Apple’s Final Cut Studio 2. “The PSA contest allowed CTE students to apply their creativity and the technical skills they have learned in the classroom to a real world experience,” said Janet Bray, executive director of ACTE. “This provides an opportunity to showcase students’ talents on a national stage and educate the public about CTE.” To see the winning entries, visit www.acteonline.org/contest/. Automotive Service Professionals Week The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has declared June 9-15, 2008, as National Automotive Service Professionals Week. Building on the success of Automotive Service Professionals Day established in 2001, ASE launched National Automotive Service Professional’s Week in 2005 to honor the commitment and dedication of automotive, truck, and collision technicians, along with parts specialists and other support professionals who serve the motoring public. “ASE created National Automotive Service Professionals Week to recognize the men and women who service and maintain the highly complex vehicles upon which we depend so much for our day-to-day transportation,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. “This event acknowledges that skill and dedication, and ASE is proud to help recognize these individuals for their commitment to their customers, their craft, and the American economy.” Incorporated in 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence was established as a nonprofit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts Events Mar. 16-19. HVAC Excellence Educators and Trainers Conference. Las Vegas, NV. www.hvacexcellence.org. Mar. 27-30. National Science Teachers Association National Conference. Boston, MA. www.nsta.org/conferences. Mar. 28-29. Ohio Technology Education Association Annual Spring Conference. Worthington, OH. www.otea.info. Apr. 13-16. Technology in Education Conference and Tech Expo, Ontario, CA. www.TechEdEvents.org/2008. Susanne Peckham is managing editor of Tech Directions. www.techdirections.com NEWS REPORT 9 http://www.ase.com http://www.acteonline.org/resource_center/state_profiles.cfm http://www.acteonline.org/resource_center/state_profiles.cfm http://www.acteonline.org/contest/ http://www.hvacexcellence.org http://www.nsta.org/conferences http://www.nsta.org/conferences http://www.otea.info http://www.TechEdEvents.org/2008 http://www.techdirections.com

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Tech Directions - March 2008 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers HDTV—Understanding the New, Dealing with the Old Technical Studies Lead to Dream Career Fill and Fund Your CAD Classroom with These Exciting Strategies STEM Progress in Katrina’s Wake School Web Site of the Month Spring Spotlight More than Fun

Tech Directions - March 2008

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