Tech Directions - August 2007 - (Page 2) technically speaking Susanne Peckham susanne@techdirections.com The Association for Career and Technical Education has issued nine recommendations for secondary-level reform that policy makers and reformers should consider: ● Establish a clear goal of readiness for all students. Everyone needs strong reading, comprehension, stances must be provided. ● Create systems incentives and supports for connecting CTE and high school redesign efforts. reasoning, problem-solving, and personal skills for both postsecondary education and entry into today’s highskilled workplace. ● Create a school culture that stresses personalization in planning and decision-making. Every stu- dent should be guided through a process of academic and career awareness, exploration, and individualized planning for graduation and beyond. ● Create a school culture that stresses personalization in relationships. Every student should have CTE can provide both motivation and resources for rethinking the traditional high school. Policy makers should see academic and interestbased courses as complementary and create initiatives that support rich, interest-based programs built around rigorous academic expectations. ● Move beyond “seat-time” and narrowly defined knowledge and skills. Schools must have a shift in involvement in structured activity that strengthens relationships with peers and adults and fosters a sense of confidence and belonging in school. ● Dramatically improve how and where academic content is taught. Integrating academic competencies into CTE and real-world content and applications into academic classes can raise achievement levels and increase understanding of rigorous concepts. focus to the underlying principles for what students learn and how teachers teach, including what skills and knowledge are measured and how students must demonstrate them. These recommendations for reform strike me as ones that would strengthen both CTE fields and American education in general—and I hope that the policy makers will take note. I close this month’s “Technically Speaking” by announcing an exciting “reform” right here at Tech Directions: Starting with this issue, we will publish the magazine both in print and online! See page 4 for details—and welcome back! Support high quality teaching in all content areas. High quality standards and professional develop● ment must apply to all teachers, including those entering teaching through alternative certification. ● Offer flexible learning opportunities to encourage school re-entry and completion. A continuum of flexible interest-based opportunities (including CTE) that respond to students’ varied needs and life circumEDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD Michael Fitzgerald, Technology Education Specialist, Office of Career and Technical Education, Indiana Dept. of Education, Indianapolis, IN Tom Frawley, Technology Education, G. Ray Bodley High School, Fulton, NY, and journal editor, New York State Technology Teacher Paul Koontz, President, Denford Inc., Medina, OH Ed Prevatt, School Specialist, National Center for Construction Education and Research, Gainesville, FL John Roccanova, Technology Education, Webutuck Central School, Amenia, NY Mark Schwendau, Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL PEER REVIEW BOARD Gregory G. Belcher, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technical Teacher Education, Pittsburg State University, KS Daniel M. Claiborne, Ph.D., Chair, Department of Industrial and Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Sam Cotton, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Ball State University, Muncie, IN Ronald F. Gonzales, Ph.D., ASE, Program Chair, Technology Teacher Education Professor, Brigham Young University, UT Robert T. Howell, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Robert D. Mordini, Ed.D., Asst. Professor, Technology Studies, Fort Hays State University, KS Richard Phillips, Ed.D., Division Chair, Technologies Division, Mountain Empire Community College, VA Joseph Scarcella, Ph.D., Professor of Education, California State University, San Bernadino Mark S. Schwendau, M.S., Technology Instructor, Kishwaukee College, Malta, IL Bert Siebold, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Industrial & Engineering Technology, Murray State University, KY Chris Zirkle, Ph.D., Asst. Professor, College of Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH Subscriptions: individuals: $30 per year; $55 two years; Canadian and foreign: add $10 per year. Canadian GST #R126213487. Single copies $3. Group rate for students in teacher-training institutions available upon request. Periodicals postage paid at Ann Arbor, MI, and additional mailing offices. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Please send change of address information to Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts should be addressed to: Editor, Tech Directions, PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623. Manuscripts become property of Tech Directions upon letter of acceptance to author and signed copyright release form. Payment made on publication. Electronic copies of back issues available from ProQuest Information and Learning, www.il.proquest.com. Microform copies available from NAPC, www.napubco.com ©2007 by Prakken Publications, Inc. A Prakken Publications Magazine Tech Directions (ISSN 1062-9351) is published monthly, except June, July and December, by Prakken Publications, Inc., 832 Phoenix Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. Executive, editorial, and advertising offices are at PO Box 8623, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8623, telephone 734-975-2800; fax 734-975-2787. Vol. 67, No. 1. Digital Tech Directions is published online August-May. Board of Directors Turalee A. Barlow George F. Kennedy Janice E. Knope Susanne Peckham Publisher George F. Kennedy Assistant Publisher & Business Mgr. Turalee A. Barlow, tbarlow@techdirections.com Managing Editor Susanne Peckham, susanne@techdirections.com Associate Editor Pam Moore, pam@techdirections.com Art, Design, and Production Manager Sharon K. Miller Advertising Sales Representatives Tonya L. White, 800-5309673 x209, tonya@techdirections.com Richard J. Alden, 603-899-3010, fax: 603-899-2343. rjalden@ techdirections.com David A. Yetman, 603-878-4705;dyetman@techdirections.com Subscription Dept. Jan Bergey, jan@techdirections.com, 800-530-9673 x215 2 techdirections ◆ AUGUST 2007 http://www.il.proquest.com http://www.napubco.com
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