Tech Directions - May 2008 - (Page 6)

direct from washington Anne C. Lewis anneclewis@earthlink.net Recommendations for Successful Transitions Over a two-year period, leaders from different sectors in 15 states held state-level forums on building collaborations between secondary and postsecondary education that would help students make successful transitions to college or to work. Each state forum produced its own report, and now there is a synthesis of all the reports with some recommendations that are not the usual “do-this, do-that” or technical advice. First of all, the participants agreed that students must have a vision for their futures, and schools have a responsibility to make sure this happens by the time students complete the middle grades. A six-year career development plan would ease students into postsecondary relevance, either in high-skills, high-wage jobs or careers requiring baccalaureate degrees. Some states are requiring students to develop career plans, but the forum discussions indicated that follow-through on the plans is inconsistent, primarily because counselors only have time for students planning to enroll in four-year colleges. An example of the strategy needed is that of the College and Career Transitions Initiative of the League for Innovation in the Community College, one of the sponsors of the forums. This program includes an articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career courses beginning in the 9th grade that lead to an industry certificate or postsecondary degree. The academic content is embedded in the career courses. Other high school-community col- Tech Directions Wants You! That is: We want your articles! And summer break is a great time to turn on your computer or sharpen your pencil and put together an article for techdirections! It’s a great opportunity to showcase your program and your students and share your good ideas and successful projects with your fellow educators. We’re looking for manuscripts that feature hands-on projects, as well as successful teaching methods, lab/ classroom management procedures, and current issues in the field. lege exemplary career planning programs mentioned in the report included those of the Gadsden, NM, public schools with the Dona Ana Branch Community College; Tennessee’s Northeast State Technical Community College; and New Jersey’s Cumberland County Community College. State policies can provide grants for collaborations, help high schools implement more effective teacheradviser systems and require all students to have a six-year program of study that begins in the ninth grade. A second agreement among forum participants was that high schools and community colleges should do a better job of both college and workplace readiness. This means advancing access to Advanced Placement courses and high-quality apprenticeships and assuring that advanced math content is rigorous and required across the board. States should require all students to take a college-readiness core program; require students to complete additional advanced-level academic courses or a sequence of at least four courses in a broad career field; provide the extra help some students need to be on grade level; build the capacity of educators to align the curriculum for college and careers and to provide real-world assignments; and create opportunities for students to earn academic credits through challenging career and technical education courses. To encourage students to stay in school and graduate from high school, state policies should generate experience with work-specific skills. “They will need a portfolio of strategies that encourage students to complete a rigorous academic core and finish high schools; pique students’ interest in high-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations; and offer programs of study important to the local and state labor needs that are linked to postsecondary education,” the report says. For Anne Lewis, one of the country’s most respected writers on education policy, works in the Washington, DC, area. Please visit www.techdirections.com/guidelines.html for detailed information on how to submit a manuscript. 6 techdirections ◆ MAY 2008 http://www.techdirections.com/guidelines.html

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - May 2008

Tech Directions - May 2008 Contents Technically Speaking Direct from Washington The News Report Mastering Computers Technology's Past Technology Today Road to Success - Service Learning Enhances Tech Ed Experience Balsa Tower Walls Brave 'Big Buster' These Kids Are Really on the Ball - Inventors Competition Winners School Web Site of the Month Animator Career Exploration Tools Guide Index to Volume 67 More than Fun

Tech Directions - May 2008

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