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Amarillo ESC (Education Service Center) Page 40 What Is This Guide? he AchieveTexas in Action Best Practices Guide collects some of the best of what Texas educators are doing to implement AchieveTexas, the state’s college and career initiative. This booklet is organized around the eight steps featured in the AchieveTexas Implementation Guide. Using the T Lubbock ISD color-coded map to the right, readers can find specific examples of Texas school districts that have Page 36 implemented the eight steps. The goal of the booklet is to provide educators and other AchieveTexas stakeholders around the state with step-specific, real-world examples of what their colleagues are Levelland ISD Page 23 doing to fulfill each step by featuring perspectives from students, counselors, and community partners. The core of AchieveTexas is the 16 career clusters (see back cover) that are divided into 122 programs of study. The programs of study provide a model of the courses and extended learning opportunities that secondary students should experience in order to prepare for more education or employment in a specific career. This guide is designed to spread the word about what schools are STEP 5: doing in implementing AchieveTexas, so that these best practices can spread across the state. Build Seamless Connections Frenship ISD Elizabeth Garcia (left) and Haley Shaw (right), seniors in the Page 24 Denton ISD, work together on an assignment during a meeting of El Paso ISD Lubbock-Cooper ISD a 911 dispatch course offered through the district’s Career and Page 16 Page 6 Technical Education (CTE) program.

Socorro ISD Page 33 STEP 8: Offer Professional Development Upper Rio Grande College Tech-Prep Youth Consortium Page 39

Through hands-on training, students in Copperas Cove ISD’s Health Science program get the opportunity to learn an array of skills that can be used in a variety of careers within the medical field.

C O N T E N T S AchieveTexas Programs of Study Page 2 Step 1: Implement AchieveTexas Page 4 Step 2: Span All Grades Page 9 Step 3: Implement TAPs Page 14 Step 4: Enhance Guidance Page 19 Step 5: Build Seamless Connections Page 24 Step 6: Establish Extended Learning Page 29 Step 7: Build Strong Partnerships Page 34 Step 8: Offer Professional Development Page 39 What Does That Mean? Page 44 AchieveTexas Resources Inside Back Cover

Copyright © Notice The materials are copyrighted © and trademarked ™ as the property of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of TEA, except under the following conditions: Texas public school districts, charter schools, and Education Service Centers may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for the districts’ and schools’ educational use without obtaining permission from TEA. Residents of the state of Texas may reproduce and use copies of the Materials and Related Materials for individual personal use only without obtaining written permission of TEA. Any portion reproduced must be reproduced in its entirety and remain unedited, unaltered and unchanged in any way. No monetary charge can be made for the reproduced materials or any document containing them; however, a reasonable charge to cover only the cost of reproduction and distribution may be charged. Private entities or persons located in Texas that are not Texas public school districts, Texas Education Service Centers, or Texas charter schools or any entity, whether public or private, educational or non-educational, located outside the state of Texas MUSTB obtain written approval from TEA and will be required to enter into a license agreement that may involve the payment of a licensing fee or a royalty. For information contact: Office of Intellectual Property, Texas Education Agency, Room 2-186, 1701 N. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78701-1494; phone 512-463-9270 or 512-463-9713; email: [email protected]

Amarillo ESC (Education Service Center) Page 40 MAP KEY This book is made up of sections based on the eight suggested AchieveTexas implementation steps. Each step includes a lead story, big idea, and spotlights on students, counselors, and STEP 7: partnerships, all of which Build Strong Partnerships feature a Texas school district Motley County ISD Frisco ISD and can be identified using Page 41 Page 34 the color key below. STEP 2: Lead Story Span All Grades Frisco ISD Denton ISD Page 26 Hughes Springs ISD Big Idea Page 9 Page 5 Student Experience Spur ISD Coppell ISD Teacher Experience Page 11 Page 7 Birdville ISD Counselor to Counselor Page 31 STEP 3: Implement Texas Partnership Spotlight Achievement Plans Albany ISD Fort Worth ISD Irving ISD Page 8 Page 20 Page 14 Irving ISD Page 42 Duncanville ISD STEP 4: Page 27 Enhance Guidance Longview ISD STEP 1: Belton ISD Page 19 Implement Achieve Texas Page 32 Copperas Cove ISD Page 4 STEP 6: Establish Extended Learning Opportunities Georgetown ISD Temple ISD Diboll ISD Page 43 Page 29 Page 12

Lake Travis ISD Dime Box ISD Vidor ISD Page 35 Page 10 Page 38 Katy ISD Austin ISD Page 30 Page 40 Galena Park ISD Page 13 Smithville ISD Page 22 East Central ISD Page 18 Hitchcock ISD Page 37 Pettus ISD Page 28 Denton ISD senior Logan Callahan works on a milling machine during a meeting of “Computer Numeric Control,” one of several engineering courses available through the Calallen ISD district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Beeville ISD Page 15 Page 25

South Texas ISD Los Fresnos ISD Page 17 Page 21

Developed by A3 Creative Group, LLC (www.A3CreativeGroup.com) Programs of Study Helping Students and Parents Plan for the Future chieveTexas is the name of Texas’ Guidance Reform college and career initiative. “POS are the centerpiece of the AchieveTexas A The idea behind it is simple: Planning counseling system,” says Steve Frank, for the future helps students achieve lifelong Coordinator of High Schools That Work, a success. Through AchieveTexas, students have Southern Regional Education Board program the opportunity to follow programs of study designed to accelerate student achievement. (POS). They take courses, engage in extended “The POS, as well as the sequence of courses learning experiences, and, in effect, take that come with them, represent the basis for control of their future. To ensure that students comprehensive guidance reform in schools and parents/guardians are crafting the best and districts across the state.” plans possible, the AchieveTexas model calls Frank adds, however, that the key to for POS to be associated with one of the creating successful POS in a district or school 16 career clusters listed on the back cover of is aligning them with actual job opportunities this booklet. available in the local community. If a region boasts a large number of engineering Demeatrice Peters (left), a teacher at Denton companies, for example, schools in the area ISD, examines the inside of a computer with Programs of study are the should focus some programs on the STEM middle school students Blake Stewart centerpiece of the AchieveTexas (center) and Emily Muller (right). counseling system. cluster and create POS that reflect classes and activities that prepare students to enter Steve Frank, Coordinator, education or employment in the engineering High Schools That Work sector of the job market. “POS provide students with a tangible About AchieveTexas Tools for Schools product that will show them why they are Texas has created 122 programs of study sitting in a particular class,” Frank says. “A Concept: All students can succeed models to guide students to careers within student might, for example, take Advanced in school, career, and life if they the 16 career clusters. The POS documents Placement (AP) English if they plan to have their own individualized plans to are available for download from www. go into the Arts, A/V Technology, and success. AchieveTexas.org. They give Texas schools Communications cluster. Career planning and districts models from which to construct with POS helps students make the decisions individual Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) for themselves.” Philosophy: No option is intrinsically for every student. better than the other. Whether the A sample POS of Information Technology choice is right or not simply depends is presented on the opposite page. Think of on the personal objectives of the this as a “menu” from which a student can student. choose courses and activities to complete a high school program in that subject. There are 122 “menus” for high school studies on Goal: To prepare students for all the AchieveTexas website. Each POS includes options after high school, including ideas for postsecondary studies, so that college, and to allow them to choose students can see where they are going after the postsecondary programs that are high school when they construct their TAPs. best for them. The POS forms a basis upon which each individual district can create POS documents related to a student’s interest or career goal. For more information: Although each district may have different Visit www.achievetexas.org, POS for its students, parents, counselors, and www.techpreptexas.org, or teachers to use, the common thread is the link www.careerclusters.org. with career clusters. A school might offer four Senior Brandon Teplansky (left) and senior different clusters, for example, with several Terilynn Cotton (right), students in the Frisco different POS within them. ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, develop their knife skills during a meeting of a culinary arts course. 2 How Programs of Study Work

• Texas has created 122 programs of study (POS) models organized • POS include suggestions for curricular and extracurricular within the 16 career clusters (see back cover). They are available activities related to the students’ chosen clusters, such as joining from the AchieveTexas website at www.achievetexas.org. Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). • Local districts and schools adapt the state POS models to create • POS also list postsecondary options such as on-the-job training, their own POS reflecting the education and employment needs in certificates, associate’s degrees, bachelor’s degrees, and their regions. graduate degrees. • Students, parents, teachers, and counselors use the local POS as • POS and TAPs give students a clear idea of how what they are “menus” from which to pick courses and activities to be recorded studying leads to other education and employment in the future. on the students’ Texas Achievement Plan (TAP). • All POS models are based upon the Recommended High School • TAPs should be reviewed and updated at least annually to reflect Program and can be adapted for the Distinguished Achievement the students’ changing interests and career goals. High School Program.

Sample Program of Study

Web and Digital Media Student Name:______Encompass entry level, Multimedia Artist and Animator (27-1014), Graphics Designer Grade: Course Overview: Career Goal (O*NET Code): technical, and professional careers related to oducer (27-2012), Web Content Writer (27-3043). School: ______the design, development and support of (27-1024), Multimedia Pr EXTENDED LEARNING EXPERIENCESExtracurricular Experiences: hardware, software, multimedia, and systems Art Shows integration services. SUGGESTED COURSEWORK Curricular Experiences: Business Professionals of America Language Immersion Programs (Local districts may list high school credit courses here) Future Business Leaders of America Literary Magazine HS Courses: SkillsUSA School Newspaper

8th Student Government School

Middle Middle World Geography Technology Student Association UIL Academic Competitions English I Languages other than English I Yearbook Core Courses: Algebra I Physical Education Biology

9th Service Learning Experiences: Career-Related Principles of Information Technology or Art I Boy Scouts of America Electives: World History Career Learning Experiences: Campus Service Organizations English II Languages other than English II Career Preparation Community Service Volunteer Core Courses: Geometry Internship Chemistry Job Shadowing Girl Scouts of the USA

10th 10th Peer Mentoring / Peer Tutoring Career-Related Web Technologies or Entrepreneurship or Graphic Design and Illustration or Journalism Electives: United States History English III Professional Communications Core Courses: Mathematical Models with Applications

Physics COLLEGE CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES -- High School r locally High School High 11th Media Technology I or Printing and Imaging Technology or Audio Video Publishing or Career-Related Students should take Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual credit, Advanced Technical Credit (ATC), o Animation or Career Preparation I or Advanced Graphic Design and Illustration Electives: Government/Economics articulated courses (Tech Prep), if possible. List those courses that count for college credit on your campus. English IV Fine Arts Core Courses: Algebra II Environmental Systems Professional Associations: 12th Career-Related Media Technology II or Career Preparation II or Advanced Broadcast Journalism or Research in Broadcast Education Association IT Solutions Electives: Graphic Arts Technical Foundation Multimedia Writer Intern IEEE Computer Society Media Aide Web Page Designer International Publishing Management Association Career Options: Junior Chamber of Commerce

Training Product Sales

On-the-Job NOTE: These experiences may be started and/or completed as part of the high school experience. National Association for Printing Leadership Web Page Designer Network Technician Adobe InDesign OSHA CareerSafe Application Specialist Printing Industries of America Adobe Expert Adobe Photoshop Professional Photographers of America Adobe Illustrator Career Options: Visual Information Operator Society of Broadcast Engineers, Inc.

Certificates NOTE: Students may earn all or part of these certificates as part of the high school experience.Film/Video and Photographic Arts Graphic Designer Intern Motion Media Crew Assistant Xplor International Drafting Graphic Printing Multimedia Artist Intern Video Documenter Business Communications English Technical/Business Writing Cinema Equipment Operators Sound Engineer Technician Computer Animation Career Options:

Degrees Medical News Producer Associate Associate Professional Writing Interface Developer Graphic Design Film and Video Editor Applied Design and Visual Arts Studio Art - Digital Media Application Developer Mass Communications-Elect Media Communication - Broadcasting Telecommunications Advertising Director

Media Art Career Options: Degrees Media Producer Bachelor Bachelor Communication-Media Prod. Theater Arts Web Content Editor Freelance Photographer n as of 2009. All English Creative Writing & Literature Theater - Technical Theatre Art Director e most recent informatio Business Broadcasting Technical Communication Film and Television Production This plan of study serves as a guide, along with other career planning materials, for pursuing a career path and is based on th Postsecondary Communication Design

Degrees plans meet high school graduation requirements as well as college entrance requirements. Graduate Graduate Information Technology: Web Digital Media: Multimedia Artist and Animator - June, 2009 Students may select other elective courses for personal enrichment purposes.

3 Step 1: Implement AchieveTexas AchieveTexas Begins with Buy-In

hen Karen Denney arrived at They could see what was available to the Copperas Cove High School as its student, what tools were available to them; WCareer and Technical Education and if they had questions, they could see (CTE) Coordinator, she and the school’s where to find the answers.” new principal faced the seemingly overwhelming task of implementing Parent Education at Copperas Cove’s AchieveTexas College and The “Dawghouse” Career initiative. As part of the process, the Now it was time to introduce the program town’s high school, which serves more than to incoming freshmen and their parents, 2,000 students, was redesigned to include all few of whom had any experience with the 16 career clusters bundled into six institutes concept. In the spirit of fun, Denney and her of study with 37 complementary programs colleagues distributed invitations to “Sneak of study. Peek at the Dawghouse,” an open house But how would the administrators get the named for the school’s sports team, the teachers, the students, and the parents all on Bulldawgs. the same page? What would be the best way The open house had an excellent turnout to ensure that everyone knew how to take in the high school cafeteria where tables were advantage of what decorated with blue and Karen Denney (left), Career and Technical seemed a gold balloons tied to dog Education (CTE) Coordinator for Copperas Cove High revolutionary new CTE was always treated as an bones. Visitors ate School, discusses career clusters with Copperas way to view afterthought, some elective you hotdogs, checked out Cove student Breeana Edwards. Denney says learning? need to graduate. Now I think display tables, and had the that AchieveTexas has helped to get students like people are understanding the opportunity to chat with Edwards more interested in CTE courses than they Earning different approach. representatives from each would have been in the past. Teachers’ Trust Karen Denney, CTE Coordinator, of its organizations. A Buy-in had to begin Copperas Cove High School short slide show was with the teachers— presented that examined whose enthusiasm today’s changing Step Synopsis would be crucial to the program’s success. workforce, noted the increased need for more skilled workers, and detailed why AchieveTexas organizes learning around And because so much information needed to be shared, Denney would approach it in a today one must have education beyond high the 16 nationally recognized career novel way. school to succeed. Then students and clusters and programs of study, such “I led the workshop over the intercom, parents were set loose to visit the classrooms. “We had student performances such as as Manufacturing or Finance, each while the teachers were all in computer labs throughout the school,” Denney recalls. “I choir, theater arts, band, ROTC, volleyball, with choices for multiple career paths. had them go to the AchieveTexas website, so and basketball,” says Denney. “Teachers Texas school districts choose which they could look at the programs of study, the talked about how their courses fit into the institutes and programs of study and the clusters to implement based on student implementation guide, and the student guides for each of the career clusters.” certifications students could earn. We had and community needs. For that reason, Denney put teachers on Bridges, a career high school students demonstrating various it is essential to work with educators, planning system, and had them create their class activities, including experiments by the science department, as well as welding and employers, policymakers and other own accounts. She then showed them the different assessments and the four-year plan, cooking demos. Students were also sharing community leaders from the beginning as well as how to create a course plan, how information about their activities like to get a true commitment to implement to look up a student’s information, and how yearbook and newspaper. Students were available to discuss some of the dual credit AchieveTexas, make a smooth transition, to research and compare careers side-by- side. They also compared colleges so they courses offered at Central Texas College, and ensure students can make the most could see what Bridges offers. such as aviation and automotive. Many of their opportunities under the program. “It was very productive,” she says. “I think classrooms, such as those devoted to Project the teachers liked it because it wasn’t just Lead The Way and art, displayed student someone talking at them. It was interactive. projects.” 44 In addition, families were presented with Because you don’t automatically get into a full-color booklet outlining each institute just any course you want. I have 25 kids of study, and detailing which career clusters who want to take one culinary course, but were included in each and which general only 20 slots. I have to look at everything dea programs of study were available. It also about those students—grades, attendance, listed possible certifications, extended etc.—to choose those who want it most.” I

learning opportunities, and career And although some of the parents were

suggestions. wondering why they didn’t have this g opportunity when they were in school, Small Groups Get Denney adds that much of what the schools the Message Across offer now is similar to what was offered in As the new school year approached, the past; what’s different is the program Bi Copperas Cove ISD went to the two middle focus and additional course offerings that schools during preregistration for incoming reflect today’s labor market demands. Each year, it’s back to school at freshmen to speak with parents and “CTE was always treated as an Hughes Springs High School (HSHS) in students once more—this time with even afterthought,” she says, “As just some more emphasis on the new program. elective you need to graduate, rather than Hughes Springs. Not just for the kids— “One of the first things we did was ask approaching it as, ‘What do you want to for the parents, too. To keep moms and who attended Sneak Peek at the pursue? Then, let’s pick some classes that dads on track with their children’s career Dawghouse, and you wouldn’t believe the would help you with that. Do you want to plans, HSHS offers High School 101, in number of hands that went up,” says do a dual-credit course or take an AP course which the adults learn all about today’s Denney. in that?’ Now I think people are education system. The parents and students were divided understanding the different approach.” into groups of about 25 each. Each group Denney’s biggest challenge now? “We noticed that parents were was led by four experts: a graduating senior “It’s keeping up with the changes,” she generally unaware of all the new who shared his or her experiences in high says. “Sometimes just when we get a system opportunities available for students to school and gave advice; a teacher who going, the requirements change. I have to be earn college credits and certifications explained the differences between regular, flexible. We do have to tell the students that while in high school,” says HSHS pre-AP, and AP classes; a CTE when they’re creating their four-year plan Counselor Heather McGregor. “And representative who talked about selecting a and selecting a course of study, they should program of study; and a counselor who remember that a specific class may not be we can explain it to the kids all day, spoke about the registration process, the exactly the same by the time they want to but many can’t project that far into the forms, and the course guide. take it—and that’s okay. There might future. We realized the parents have to The idea was to allow parents and actually be something better by then and understand the programs available so students to ask more questions than would our counselors are great about helping they can help establish a long-term view. be possible in a large cafeteria group setting. students make the best choices. Scheduling We put together this workshop to show In addition, the visitors were given a guide is also a challenge, especially when a course that listed each class to be offered under is only offered in one period and it conflicts them how to help their kids plan for the each program of study. with something else the student wants to future using the AchieveTexas model.” “The students were really excited,” take. This is when the student has to make Each parent is given an overview of Denney said. “Some kids were saying, ‘I tough choices, but that is a life lesson too. the school’s cluster areas and a folder already know what I want to do!’ And it was “For example, say a student wants to be a with his or her child’s Texas Achievement also a great time to emphasize the tattoo artist,” Denny says. “I don’t have that Plan (TAP)—which can yield some importance of things like good attendance. course, but they could go into the arts category, take drawing, and then take some surprises. business or marketing classes and maybe “If a student has education training even a health class. We try to pull from on his TAP, the parents can see all the several different areas to create something available options, such as dual credit, valuable for that particular person.” Tech Prep, and relevant coursework,” says McGregor. “The parents enjoy looking at the TAPs. Many of them may

have never seen them before—and FOR MORE INFORMATION Copperas Cove ISD • Copperas Cove, Texas have no idea what their child is planning Karen Denney, CTE Coordinator for the future. It’s a great format for mail to: [email protected], Copperas Cove High School teacher Barbara conversation.” Considine works with student Nelson Santiago on www.ccisd.com a circuit board during one of his technology courses. 5 The Student Experience A Distinguished Career

paperwork for you,” Hill says. “All we have to do is take the Accuplacer test at the Texas Tech University Testing Center. Then the center prints out the score and faxes it over to South Plains.” CLOSERCLOSER With all the work Hill does for his advanced foundation classes, you’d EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION think he’d have no time for fun. But he also plays trumpet in the Lubbock- Cooper band, plays on the Pirates The 16 AchieveTexas in Action basketball team, and serves on the guides cover the state’s career student council as its community service clusters in general terms, but are representative. not tailored to individual schools. t 15, Robert Alexander “Alex” Hill II is going “I lead the community service section On the AchieveTexas CD are for the gold: the Distinguished Achievement for all the community work we do at Lubbock- Microsoft Word templates that High School Program diploma and a career Cooper,” Hill says. “If a student suggests a can be customized to be handouts A that show what programs your as an orthopedic surgeon. And with the help of community service project, I do all the calls to find AchieveTexas and the dedicated staff at Lubbock- out if we can help. Our first project is a school specifically offers. If you Cooper High School, he is well on his way. community blood drive for students over the age don’t have or don’t want to use Hill entered Lubbock-Cooper as a freshman the of 16 that we’ll hold here at the high school.” these documents, create handouts same year that AchieveTexas was implemented in Over the summer, he and the other council yourself that educate students and the district. And one of the first things he and his members attended a weeklong student council parents about what your school fellow students were directed to was the workshop in San Antonio to practice leadership has to offer. If possible, make AchieveTexas website. skills. Hill says he is also looking forward to taking the handouts available online, “It’s a great system,” he says. “It helps you set up more courses in the Health Science cluster, as well as in the main office and your schedule, telling what you should take and including an anatomy and physiology course he is counselors’ offices. Parents will what you could possibly take. It also tells you scheduled to take during his senior year. appreciate the convenience of about extended learning opportunities, like what being able to review their student’s student organizations you could join to help Keeping an Eye on the Ball course choices from their computer further your career. Everything it gave me, like my With all his extracurricular activities, Hill still if they lose the paper version. suggested coursework and suggested extended keeps his eye on the endgame—earning his Visit www.AchieveTexas.org to learning, is what I am currently college credits—which this download the handout templates doing.” year come from courses or get the CD as part of the set of The AchieveTexas website helps He’s doing a lot. For Hill to including pre-calculus and AchieveTexas in Action guides. you set up your schedule, what qualify for the Distinguished trigonometry. Keeping his you should take and what you AchieveTexas College and Career Planning Guides Achievement High School eye on the bigger goal also could possibly take. It tells Program diploma, all the core means applying for the you about extended learning classes he takes must be pre-AP National Honor Society opportunities. Everything it gave or AP. Luckily, he got a head (NHS), an academic honor me is what I am currently doing. start. group, as recommended by Alex Hill, sophomore, AchieveTexas. Getting Started Early Lubbock-Cooper High School At Lubbock-Cooper, Because Hill had taken Algebra I “You apply to be inducted in middle school in another the end of sophomore year state, he was able to take advantage of his first and you have to maintain at least a 92 average in dual-credit course, Algebra II, as a freshman and all your classes, which is pretty hard,” he says. “But pick up credits with South Plains College. being in NHS shows that you were in the elite of

The process of getting the credits was easier than your school, and that can help you get into a good ©2007 by the Texas Education Agency. All rights reserved. one might think. college and eventually get you a better job. I want Cover_Series_22x34 Poster.indd 1 12/4/07 12:47:44 PM “If you tell your guidance counselor that you to go to Texas A&M University, and standards are want to take the test for dual credit, they do all the very high for that school.” 6 Counselor to Counselor Getting the Career Ball Rolling

hen Debra Fruithandler, Lead “Our community expects a lot of one-on- “Parents want their kids to be well Counselor, and her counseling one counseling, so we meet with every prepared and informed regarding the Wstaff were asked to implement junior student and parent for 45 minutes in careers they want to pursue,” says AchieveTexas at Coppell High School (CHS) a college, career, and course planning Fruithandler. “Today, it’s taking five years in the Coppell ISD in 2006, they jumped in meeting,” she says. “We talk about long- for a student to get through college. You’re with both feet. They took every resource the term goals and how they are going to get talking about $100,000 at a Texas public state program had to offer and embarked on there, including the academic and college university and probably $200,000 at a a three-tier program designed to familiarize components. We also share information private university. That’s a huge investment, CMS’s 2,700 students with each of the 16 and the links AchieveTexas provides as and parents want to know what their child career clusters—and keep them on schedule additional tools for the family.” is being educated for and that they are going through graduation. to like what they have chosen. They want to “In our student services office, we have an make sure their investment is going to have entire wall that displays all the AchieveTexas Today, it’s taking five years for payback.” brochures categorized by program of study a student to get through college. and career interest,” says Fruithandler. “Our You’re talking about $100,000 at a CTE [Career and Technical Education] Texas public university, and probably teachers consolidated the AchieveTexas $200,000 at a private university. information into a simplified pamphlet that That’s a huge investment and CLOSERCLOSER includes all the programs of study. You parents want to make sure their EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION would not believe the number of parents investment is going to have payback. EXEX who come through the office and pick up Debra Fruithandler, those brochures.” Lead Counselor, Coppell High School Under a career cluster system, education, business, and industry form true working partnerships focused Tier One on aligning learning with workplace skills. The problem, Because the concept was new, CHS began however, is that business and education are two by requiring incoming first-year students very different cultures. Education is based on public to take a Teen Leadership orientation class, Tier Three services, while business is focused on profit. Education the first tier of the program. There, each All of this career information is reinforced values process, while business wants results. student explores career clusters, creates a through the school’s CTE courses, the third Education often works on consensus, while business four-year program of study, then writes a implementation tier. uses top-down management. You will know when your report and makes a presentation on his or “When you’re a teenager, your knowledge partnership with business is in trouble when the top her career direction. Career exploration is and interests are constantly evolving, so you executives stop coming to meetings and send lower- done using the AchieveTexas website, links, have to tweak your plan,” Fruithandler level staff members instead. Be aware of the need of and materials to help narrow down career points out. “The CTE teachers follow up both education and business partners to compromise choices. with students and encourage them to keep and learn to bridge the gap between the two cultures. “The beautiful thing about AchieveTexas building their portfolio of what they’ve is that it exposes kids to all of the programs learned and where they want to go. Every of study in business and industry, as well as child is required to take a CTE course to the education level required for particular graduate, so every one of them has it careers,” says Fruithandler. “It also gives you reinforced at that point.” the job outlook, the fastest-growing careers, Thus far, Coppell families seem pleased and the top-paying careers in that program with the AchieveTexas initiative. of study.”

Tier Two The second tier, says Fruithandler, takes place each spring when the counseling staff schedules private interviews at the junior level, which take a solid six weeks to complete.

7 Partnership Spotlight It Takes a Village To Build A Career f the roughly 1,110 students attending his time to make pouring Albany High School (AHS) in the Albany the concrete foundation OISD, 190 participate in its Agriculture affordable. program, making the Agriculture, Food and The end project is a Natural Resources cluster an important beautiful example of what is focus for the school, teachers, and the possible when the community at large. community pulls together. So in 2008, when AHS wanted to enhance The pond, complete with a its Agricultural program with a fish farm fountain, is surrounded by management program that necessitated a landscaping designed and stocked fishpond, the whole community planted by the students, a pitched in. complete fish nursery barn, “This is a very tight community and there and a covered outdoor is an outpouring of support, whether it’s classroom with student- money, equipment, or time, to help these built tables and a student-created rock and students achieve their education goals,” says gravel walkway—all of which glows in the Christopher Beard, AHS’s sole Agricultural evening thanks to solar lighting. Self-Assessment Checklist Sciences Teacher. Applied Experiences Measure how well your school Help From All Directions “We raise channel cat, bass, perch, and Before long, the Texas AgriLife Extension feeder fish, and the kids weigh them every or district is implementing Step Service and Texas Parks and Wildlife month to see how much they’ve grown,” One—Implement AchieveTexas—by Association were giving advice on which says Beard. “They test the water, judging the checking off below the efforts it is tanks were needed to fill the pond and what pH difference between runoff water and roof already making. kind of system was appropriate for the sump water, seeing where lawn chemicals are going pump, air filters, and biofilters. and comparing pond water to tap water. ❏❏ U.S. Department of Education The National Resource Conservation This year, we’ll also tag fish and see how far career cluster designations are Service (NRCS) and a they go upstream to the being used. bulldozing company lake.” This is a very tight community and ❏ worked for free to Beard stresses, ❏ Cluster(s) are implemented based there is an outpouring of support, on student interests and career prepare the site. A whether it’s, money, equipment, however, that the pond goals. retired local wildlife or time, to help these students and tanks do not benefit biologist helped design achieve their education goals. only the Agriculture ❏❏ Cluster(s) are implemented based the horse-shoe-shaped students. Other classes on community input. pond and a bulldozer Christopher Beard, take advantage of the company was hired to Teacher of Agricultural Sciences, area for a change of ❏❏ Cluster(s) are implemented based Albany Junior/Senior High School dig it. pace or as part of their on state/regional economic “The county and city own lesson plans; for considerations. hauled sand and dirt for us to put around example, science classes use the tanks to test ❏❏ Learning is organized around our pond,” Beard says. “The oil field water quality or study the aquaculture career clusters, programs of study, company Synergy let us use their backhoes environment. and Bobcats to clean areas out, and Arms “Eventually, we’ll have to harvest some or career fields. Bait Company sold us the fingerlings [young fish, so we’re planning a Fish Day where we ❏❏ Career clusters are part of a robust fish] for a discount price to put in our new incorporate the elementary and junior high college and career program. pond and in our four nursery tanks.” kids and let the high school kids mentor the ❏ When Beard let it be known that the younger kids and teach them how to fish,” ❏ Necessary approvals are obtained students also could use an outbuilding for Beard says. “That way, it becomes an supporting the sustained raising fingerlings, a local concrete ongoing community cycle.” development of a local career contractor stepped up to the task, donating cluster system. ❏❏ Leadership is building community commitment. 8 Step 2: Span All Grades Building Career Experiences on One Another elping students achieve success outreach program is “Career Days,” an through an integrated series of career event in which employees from various Hpreparation experiences spanning occupations meet face-to-face with students elementary school through postsecondary to introduce basic career concepts. education is the main emphasis of the Elementary schools in the district also Denton Independent School District (ISD). orchestrate a “Career on Wheels” day, “Students making good choices does not where students interact with City of Denton magically happen,” says Marty Thompson, employees and their vehicles such as fire Career and Technical Education Director trucks and ambulances. for Denton ISD. “The key is maintaining “This is an excellent way to partner with sequential activities and programs that the City of Denton and provide ‘Real ‘begin with the end in mind.’ As a result of World’ experiences. We are very fortunate providing purposeful career planning resources, most Denton ISD senior Sachi Barrantes dusts a wine glass students in Denton will have for fingerprints during her Crime Scene Investigation chosen their programs of study (CSI) course. “I either want to be a CSI or a detective,” before entering high school. she says. “In class, we learn about the basics of being They are assisted in this process a CSI. We get to do lots of lab work and learn about with the guidance of the the industry.” district’s three career counselors who provide information and Step Synopsis mentorship at every grade level.” Throughout all grades, career Career Awareness development under the AchieveTexas The career awareness model is best achieved by creating component process begins a progression of college and career in elementary school and focuses on assisting students in preparation experiences that engage learning more about themselves, Police officer Jason Snailer works with Denton ISD senior Gregg students at all grade levels. This process practicing positive interpersonal Barr during his 911 dispatch class. The course gives students like skills, understanding the world Barr a chance to explore the career by allowing them to work with the starts in elementary school with building of work, and developing respect computer technology and software used by actual 911 dispatchers. a simple understanding of careers. Then, for all types of work. while in middle school, students should Jeanie Bragg, Career Counselor, says support materials that suggest that our students have so many begin to explore their career opportunities. developmentally appropriate career opportunities to learn about their career In high school, students focus on specific activities are provided to each elementary choices,” says Denton Career Counselor counselor to further expand career Jeanie Bragg. career goals by taking targeted courses understanding among Denton elementary and participating in curricular experiences students. Teacher resource packets are Career Exploration provided to each elementary teacher and Transition points are critical to making as set out by the local district’s programs Parent Career Activity calendars are the AchieveTexas initiative span all grades. of study. By the time students reach distributed to the more than 10,000 That is why it is crucial for districts to consciously plan out the process by which postsecondary education or training, they elementary students. “Teamwork is the key to this program’s students move through each level of should be making the final preparations to success,” says Bragg. “The involvement of education. enter the careers they began discovering elementary counselors, teachers, parents, “Our programs of study start in the sixth students, and community is the foundation grade,” says Thompson. “We want to make while still children in elementary school. of this initiative.” sure students have as much time as possible The district’s most impressive elementary to decide on the career that is right for 9 them. That’s why we continuously inform Career Planning students and parents of the opportunities Every entering ninth grade student available.” in Denton ISD completes an interest/ dea When students make the transition aptitude assessment. Using the results, from elementary to middle school, all career counselors, in conjunction with I

parents in the district are strongly urged to their high school guidance counselors, attend a meeting at which they watch a work with each student to develop a Texas g short infomercial on career clusters and Achievement Plan (TAP) based on his/ the importance of education for their her interests or career goal. Each year children. The presenters of this the career and the high school guidance information include representatives from counselors create planned events with Bi higher education as well as a Denton ISD activities to help students focus on their career representative, so parents and college and career plans. Additionally, Much of what you will read in this students can see that advanced courses Best Practices Guide shows the complexity of secondary and post- offer opportunities getting a range of people to work together toward We always say, secondary educational for internships, a given curricular goal. entities are aligned. “Is this best for students? professional Some smaller districts around Texas, however, When their parents are When you implement new certification/ involved, students are programs or add onto existing licensures, and have limited CTE staffs. For those districts, getting more likely to have a programs, it is so important that college/university personnel on board to offer Career and Technical positive experience in you ask this question.” credit. Education experiences in all grades is not quite planning for their Marty Thompson, “All these as difficult because there are far fewer people to CTE Director, Denton ISD educational future. resources, “says coordinate. The district has Jeanie Bragg, That’s why when Dime Box Independent School implemented middle “involve bringing school classes that can help “jump-start” together various stakeholders from the District (ISD), a PK–12, single-campus district the process by which students earn dual community to offer experiences at all located east of Austin, received the AchieveTexas credit later in high school. The semester- grade levels.” College and Career Redesign grant, its focus was long courses are taken in both the seventh By the time Denton ISD students reach primarily on improving the district’s technology and eighth grades, and a shorter six-week high school, they are fully engaged with infrastructure. course is also offered in sixth grade. internships and other applied learning “One of the key benefits of the technology,” In addition, the district has a program opportunities. called “Computers4Kids,” which targets “We saturate the students with says Dime Box Superintendent Donnie Reagan, “is fifth-grade students from low income information,” says Thompson. “The that it provides research-based information in the families and provides them with a intentional sequential career planning and areas of CTE.” reconditioned computer to take home, as CTE programs of rigorous and relevant In addition to supporting CTE courses, the new well as career guidance and training for study provide optimum opportunities for technology has helped integrate technology into both students and parents. Additionally, developing the leaders of tomorrow.” the core subject areas. Denton ISD reaches out to the community by providing a career summer camp for “Our goal was to spread technology into the fifth, sixth, and seventh grade students. FOR MORE INFORMATION academic core areas of all middle school and high Any district student can attend the Denton ISD • Denton, Texas school classes, both academic and Career and weeklong camp, where they explore all Marty Thompson, CTE Director mail to: [email protected], Technical Education,” says Reagan. career clusters available at Denton ISD’s www.dentonisd.org To do this, the district purchased Smartboards, La Grone Advanced Technology Complex. Elmos, and laptop computers, all of which were

used in the instructional programs for teacher and AchieveTexas Career Development Ladder student presentations. Among the technological advancements made Postsecondary Education or Training—Preparation possible by the grant to the small district was a new school-wide network server to provide High School—Concentration support for the district’s entire technology system, Middle School—Exploration something most Texas schools already had in place. Elementary School—Understanding

10 The Student Experience Never Stop Learning

n the Spur ISD, making the district’s From Middle School to AchieveTexas program span all grades High School Iis somewhat simplified by the fact Middle school is a time for students to start that the entire district is located in one thinking about the actual coursework they building. One result: the district has will need to reach their career goals. Norriss generated strong interest in the Business was first exposed to technology courses Management and Administration (BMA) at the junior high level, where she took cluster from young students in the district. keyboarding, as well as a handful of basic “Because our elementary school is technology applications courses. connected to the high school, I get quite a In high school, Norriss began to move few younger students who start talking to beyond the classroom, engaging in applied, me early about whether or not they can curricular learning experiences that have take certain courses in the BMA cluster,” help shape her general business skills. says Spur ISD Career During her Counselor Lea Howell. Being able to take business freshman year, “They know what is courses every year was a big Norriss joined going on in high school advantage for me. The classes have Business from the time they start shown me the importance of being Professionals of school. To them, this is able to communicate with people. America (BPA), a natural. This is normal.” I am so much more confident, Career and especially in front of groups. Technical Student Elementary School Organization in the Kourtney Norriss, junior, One such student is BMA career cluster. Spur High School CLOSERCLOSER Kourtney Norriss, a Spur And Norriss says it High School junior who was the EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION has developed her interests and skills in encouragement she received from her business since elementary school. teachers that led her to join the There is an often-overlooked career “I’ve always been interested in that organization. guidance resource that is available in subject,” she says. “And I guess I just always “My teacher, Ms. Ball, told us that BPA every school district, large or small, knew I wanted to take business classes.” would expand our skills, and give us a rich or poor—and that resource is Under the AchieveTexas model, chance to practice them,” Norris says. “The students. In Texas, a particularly elementary school is the time when experience has really paid off.” useful student resource is the students should begin to understand the Through her high school coursework, in ever-growing Spanish-speaking patterns of work and economic activity in classes such as business information population. To bridge the gap the community. One of the most popular management, Norriss has developed the between middle school and high ways in which the district spreads the word skills she now practices outside the school, involve Spanish-speaking about career clusters is “Career Days,” classroom. Those include proficiency in high school students in educating which are held in both elementary and Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, and younger Spanish-speaking students middle school. For those events, students PowerPoint. In fact, in her sophomore year, about the career clusters. Teachers take time to research their career interests. Norriss competed in the Fundamental and counselors oftentimes do not Older high school students from the district Word Processing portion of the annual speak fluent Spanish; hearing about then come and speak to their younger peers state BPA student competition. programs of study from older kids about careers. “Being able to take business courses every in their first language is sure to “We want students to know about their year was a big advantage for me,” says get elementary and middle school career options as early as possible,” says Norriss. “The classes have shown me the students excited about AchieveTexas. Howell. “And they are much more likely to importance of being able to communicate Also, be sure to check out the learn from an older student they can look with people. I am so much more confident, AchieveTexas Spanish guide by up to.” especially in front of groups.” visiting www.achievetexas.org.

11 Counselor to Counselor Helping Students Understand

mid all the talk in the state about college and career preparation under the AchieveTexas initiative, it can be Ahard to imagine that in many places students do not begin their career planning until well into high school. Texas counselors, however, are increasingly helping students focus on their future earlier. “In the past, particularly with freshmen, the attention and dedication to career planning by students was simply not there,” says Carol Mettlen, Career Counselor for the Diboll ISD. “They thought it was too early to think about careers. But with the help of counselors, more and more students are realizing how important early career planning is.” Mettlen says that in recent years she has begun to see a change in students’ attitudes about the need for career planning. She attributes that growth in understanding in part to the fact that more guidance resources are available to students today than there were 10 years ago.

Interest Inventories One such critical resource, says Mettlen, is the interest inventories students begin taking while in middle school. Mettlen credits much of the success of career guidance in the Diboll ISD to the information that students glean from the assessments. “After being exposed to programs of study and career options, students start spending time [looking into them] on their own,” she says. “They can see how much their education will cost. And, as a result, they actually listen to us. They sign up for what we counselors suggest. I didn’t have one student say ‘no’ this year.”

Communication is Key Kevin Swor, Diboll’s Career and Technical Education Director, says that establishing a strong focus on career planning through the AchieveTexas initiative is also improving attendance and graduation rates in Diboll ISD. “We are in the infancy stages of the program in terms of Students in Montwood High School’s Culinary Arts Program have an opportunity making big changes for attendance in the district,” says Swor. to gain hands-on kitchen experience thanks to the school’s partnership with the El “But it’s clear that students are buying into their future. They are Paso-based Upper Rio Grande College Tech-Prep Youth Consortium, which serves seeing what school is all about, and what is in it for them.” several districts in West Texas. Swor credits the addition of Mettlen as a Career Counselor with having a big effect on student achievement in the district. Mettlen’s position, designed to serve 480 students, was created after Diboll received the After being exposed to programs of study and AchieveTexas grant two years ago, although the majority of the grant money career options, students start spending time was used to grow the school’s Agriculture, Food, and Natural Resources cluster. [looking into them] on their own. They can see Like many career counselors, Mettlen manages tasks that exist outside the how much their education will cost. And, as a counseling realm, such as coordinating testing for the district. Mettlen says, result, they actually listen to us. They sign up for however, that managing the heavy workload is possible through what we counselors suggest. I didn’t have one communication. student say “no” this year. “Communication is key, no matter if it is positive, negative, or indifferent,” she observes. “Transparency brings that realism to the planning process. To be Carol Mettlen, Career Counselor, Diboll ISD successful, you have to be able to bounce ideas off other educators and community members. That’s how to grow a program.” 12 Partnership Spotlight Engineering Education

nder the guidance of experienced students, most often on robotics projects. professionals, future engineers are When school lets out, students, teachers, Self-Assessment Checklist Ustarting on the route to becoming and engineers fill the classrooms to engage high-tech professionals in the Galena Park in an ongoing dialogue that is “different ISD in Houston. from any other relationship I have ever Measure how well your school or Their success is partly due to a strong seen. Both the district and the business are district is implementing Step 2—Span partnership the district has fostered with so committed,” says Galena Park All Grades—by checking off below the General Electric (GE). The partnership Engineering Instructor David Scarcella, who efforts it is already making. offers students enrolled in the school’s estimates that as many as 20 hours of work Project Lead The Way (PLTW) high school are put in by the volunteers each day when ❏❏ Elementary school students engineering program unprecedented access students are preparing robots for understand work and jobs. to some of the area’s leading engineers. competition. “No one lets the ball drop.” ❏❏ Middle school students conduct Hands-On Assistance Building Blocks career explorations. GE, financially supports the district’s Although the interaction with GE engineers ❏❏ High school students select robotics program. The company donated expands students’ engineering skills by leaps secondary and postsecondary $10,000 in the first year of and bounds, Scarcella studies with consideration to the program and $20,000 in notes that there are Students build their skills personal career goals. the second year. several building blocks throughout the education Galena Park PLTW in the early grades that ❏❏ Postsecondary and secondary process. That is why this instructors will tell you, bring a student to the school plans are reviewed annually. partnership with GE and however, that it is the hands- point where those skills PLTW is so special. ❏❏ Postsecondary options and career on assistance that GE can be properly put to The engineers help the provides that really makes use. preparation are pursued. students figure out problems the partnership soar. Each “Students build their ❏❏ Lifelong learning attitudes are using skills they’ve learned day, five to eight engineers— skills throughout the throughout their years of developed. including mechanical, entire education education. structural, programming, process,” says Scarcella. and design engineers—meet David Scarcella, “That’s why this at the school to work hand- Engineering Instructor, partnership with GE and in-hand with engineering Galena Park ISD PLTW is so special. The CLOSERCLOSER engineers help the EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION students figure out problems using skills EXEX they’ve learned throughout their years of education.” To maximize the college and career Galena Park’s effort to recruit students preparation process, there are key points into the district’s PLTW program begins in in the K–12 experience at which students the eighth grade, when students first begin must be transitioned to a new phase of developing their Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) using the Bridges software. From career planning. This means that college and there, PLTW engineering instructors such career planning resources must be delivered as Paul Johnson begin encouraging students in an age-appropriate, logical order, one to go into the program. that recognizes the students’ readiness “When our kids see the AchieveTexas to understand the information presented. programs of study, they grasp what is Students should not, for example, begin available to them in the district,” says using career information software such as Students in Galena Park ISD’s engineering program get Johnson. “And we think what we offer here Kuder in eighth grade if they have not already the opportunity to work on a daily basis with engineers is pretty special.” from General Electric (GE) thanks to a partnership been exposed to the concept of career the district has established with the company. Here, clusters and programs of study. students work with a GE engineer on a robotics project.

13 Step 3: Implement Texas Achievement Plans Making a Plan

hen the leadership of Nimitz High says Patty Sisco, Lead Counselor for School realized that students Nimitz High, located in the technology- Wwere failing to take advantage savvy Irving Independent School District of the school’s elective classes, they (ISD). “But AchieveTexas provides a decided to take action. The goal? Make structure that tells students where they the curriculum more relevant and show are going from the beginning. Today’s students how the skills they learn today students understand, more than ever, that can be carried with them throughout you build on your education over time.” their careers. The solution? AchieveTexas. Introduce Programs of Through AchieveTexas, counselors and Study Early teachers in the school say they have To engage students early, Nimitz managed to heighten student and parent counselors meet with middle school awareness of the importance of the students each year through a one-on-one school’s Career and Technical Education career exploration exercise held during curriculum. As a the spring semester. At result, more and that time, the counselors more Nimitz The biggest question introduce students to students are gaining we have from kids is, programs of study by the skills and having them take the ACT’s Junior Elisabeth Pavia (far left) talks with Nimitz High certifications they ‘Where do I start? (formerly known as The School Counselors Patty Sisco, Angela Warr, and Gay need to earn well- Patty Sisco, Lead Counselor, American College Testing Nell Rippel (left to right). Sisco says many students paying jobs after Program, Inc.) career- like Pavia have shown increased awareness about Nimitz High School school. A key to that focused EXPLORE® test, the relationship between their Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework and future career plans. success has been to which covers English, math, have students plan for their futures, the reading, and science. The goal of the test goal of Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) is to show students their strengths and and programs of study. weaknesses in each subject. Step Synopsis “Previously, kids didn’t start thinking “The biggest question we have from about what they wanted to do for a living kids is, ‘Where do I start?’ ” says Sisco. Every high school student needs a plan until they were well into high school,” “Our programs of study have made that for college and career. That’s why Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) and programs of Nimitz High School teachers Pam Polk (second from left) and Cyndi Brown (far right) help juniors Maricela Varela (far left) and Ryan Walker (second from right) practice bandaging a dog’s leg injury. study are pillars of AchieveTexas. Students who begin their initial career exploration during four-years of college are doing it in the most expensive way possible. The chief goal of the Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) is for every student to choose a cluster program of study and adjust it as he or she changes direction as a result of career exploration experiences promoted through AchieveTexas.

1414 question much easier to answer. Once the Eduction courses, along with which comes dea kids are in programs of study, we no confidence and enthusiasm for the longer have to work to encourage them to curriculum. I take courses. They know exactly where to “This is not the old woodshop class,” go next.” she says. “There must be a purpose to Then, while registering for high school what they are doing.” g courses, students are asked to pick a program of study they are interested in Professional Development based on what they have learned about Internally, Sisco says the key to success is Bi themselves through the EXPLORE® test. in maintaining enthusiasm for curriculum During ninth grade, Nimitz students begin development among the school’s staff. At taking courses related to their selected Nimitz, this is done through an array of For the last seven years, Lloydina Elliot career interests. The purpose of TAPs are professional development opportunities has overseen the Health Science program to give students a way to document their for counselors. at Calallen High School in the Calallen decisions. “Your Career and Technical Education Independent School District in Calallen. And “As soon as they are registered, students coordinator has to keep counselors up to though the program started off small, Elliot have a path,” Sisco says. “That’s what date,” says Sisco, who is in her 25th year of says she has cultivated system-wide buy-in AchieveTexas did for us. It created counseling. “These days, counselors really pathways and a sequence of courses that do not have a choice. We have to stay up for Health Science by spreading the word lets students know exactly what they need with trends in the workforce in order to be constantly about its benefits. to do to pursue their career interests.” able to advise kids properly on where they “I will talk to anybody, anywhere, any time are going.” about my program,” says Elliot. “And whenever Engaging Students Is Critical Nimitz counselors also stay current on possible, I bring my students with me. My kids The development of programs of study, the latest college requirements in a given are the best advertisement for my program. says Sisco, is highly dependent on the field. At the same time, the counselors are engagement of students. That’s why constantly keeping their eyes on They truly make it grow.” Sisco and her team of counselors use the developing new and relevant skills; in turn, Each year, Elliot and a handful of Calallen Internet as a way for students to learn they are ensuring the school produces Health Science students pay a visit to Calallen more about their career choices. college and career-ready graduates. Middle School. Dressed in medical scrubs and “One of the best tools that we have is adorned with telescopes and blood pressure the Web,” Sisco says. “There are all kinds pumps, the Health Science students teach of career-focused websites out there that FOR MORE INFORMATION the middle school students a range of basic can help kids firm up their plans.” Irving ISD • Irving, Texas Because academic and career training Shawn Blessing, CTE Director medical skills, including everything from how to courses are much better integrated under mail to: [email protected], take vital signs to the proper way to wash your www.irvingisd.net TAPs, Sisco says students have a sense of hands. purpose in their Career and Technical “Peer influence is so important to getting kids interested and excited about a curriculum,” says Elliot of the district’s Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs). “Middle school students realize, How to Help Students Select Programs of Study ‘If they [high school students] can do it, I can do it.’” • In middle school, introduce students to career clusters and programs of Elliot credits the annual presentations with study through a career assessment test, such as ACT’s EXPLORE® test. growing the program, which now boasts two • When students register, have them select career interests based on what full-time Health Science teachers that instruct they learned about themselves in the EXPLORE® Test. more than 100 students in multiple subject • Have students complete a Texas Achievement Plan (TAP) based upon areas at any given time. a chosen program of study in high school. “We went from about a dozen students to • In 9th grade, get students started on their TAPs by enrolling them in career dozens of students,” Elliot says. “We’ve grown courses related to their choices. like Johnson grass.”

1515 The Student Experience Putting Planning into Action

graduate, first saw one of those TAP, which is in development using the presentations in his junior English class. Career Cruising software, a suite of online And for Allan, it was a revelation. career guidance and planning tools. “Career tech classes just seemed like a Centered around the El Paso ISD’s “College whole other part of town,” he says. “But the and Career Readiness Plan,” the software presentation made me realize I could will allow 8th graders to log in and choose develop my Web design skills right here in their programs of study, as well as help high school. I am so grateful the career them see what every campus within the center counselors district offers. reached out to me.” “They were just Allan says the I am knee-deep in CTE. starting to work on all of stigma around taking And what I have noticed is this when I was in CTE was partly to that everyone’s orientation school,” Allan says. He blame for his lack of is changing. Students are says he can already see awareness of what approaching their career choices the benefits by watching Ruben Ramirez (second from left), a teacher in El the center offered in with more and more confidence. his younger peers go Paso ISD’s Diesel Mechanics Program, helps El Paso terms of career Chris Allan, 2008 graduate of through school with student Antoinette McRae (far right) learn how to preparation. Andress High School in El Paso more confidence in their properly hold a blow torch. “When I was in career choice. “I am high school, a lot of people thought CTE knee-deep in CTE. And what I have any Career and Technical Education was for students who were not planning to noticed is that everyone’s orientation is (CTE) curriculum directors will tell go to college,” Allan says. “But I knew I was changing. Students are approaching their you that strong visibility gives CTE M going to college. I just saw the CTE classes career choices with more and more programs a chance to not only earn the as a chance to improve my computer confidence.” support of the community, but also show programming skills.” off the value of implementing Texas Among the classes Allan took during his Achievement Plans (TAPs). two years at the CCTE were several “The more students, teachers, parents, computer-based courses. Allan also and stakeholders that know about the CLOSERCLOSER received CompTIA’s A+ Certification, sequence of courses, the better,” says El EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION which he got through his hardware and EXEX Paso ISD Principal and CTE Coordinator software class. Now certified to trouble- Eric J. Winkelman. Through the El Paso shoot pretty much any basic computer Along the way to developing career Center for Career and Technology issue, Allan graduated from high school in portfolios, students often come to realize Education (CCTE), the district currently 2009 ready for the workforce. that they are not suited for their first implements four-year-plans for many of Thanks to his positive experience in the program of study choice. When this the students in the district’s 13 high El Paso career center, Allan was able to earn happens, it is important for teachers, schools. The available programs are an internship working for an El Paso-based counselors, parents, and guardians developed based on interest inventories web development company, which he to embrace that realization. Learning taken while students are in middle school. describes as his “own personal adventure that a career is wrong is as valuable into Web design and programming.” for a student as discovering one that Getting the Word Out is right. It is better, for example, that a “We don’t always have a chance to get one- Coming Full Circle student who wants to be a nurse learns on-one with them,” explains Winkelman. Today, those experiences have brought he or she cannot stand the sight of “That is why we try hard to make sure Allan full circle. When the 18-year-old blood in high school rather than waiting that everyone understands the sequence of is not taking core area courses at El Paso until his or her junior year of college. courses we offer.” Community College, he is busy working For this reason, each student’s Texas In an effort to advertise the program, the part-time writing software for the El Paso Achievement Plan (TAP) should be school’s counselors began performing ISD. reviewed at least once a year. in-class presentations on the CCTE a In particular, Allan is writing the couple of years ago. programming for the district’s four-year Chris Allan, a 2008 Andress High School

16 Counselor to Counselor Curriculum and Counseling Go Hand-in-Hand t the Science Academy of South Texas first glance as though SciTech has already reached (SciTech), Career and Technical Education the summit. Aranda says that the key to SciTech’s A(CTE) counselors are always thinking ahead. success, however, is the realization on the part of “The number one thing I have learned about the staff that there in fact is no summit. At curriculum development as principal of SciTech SciTech, the curriculum is revamped every couple is that you basically always have to be thinking of years to meet industry needs. forward,” says Michael Aranda, Principal of The Science Academy of South Texas. “Stagnation is Constant Dialogue the worst enemy for a successful school.” To avoid further stagnation, Aranda engages his Remotely located in team of seven PLTW teachers Mercedes in the southern Rio At SciTech, we have an in a constant dialogue about the Grande Valley, close to the aggressive curriculum, curriculum. Just simply asking Students at the Science Academy United States/Mexican border, not a passive one. for the input of teachers and of South Texas (Sci Tech) get the the primary focus of the That’s why our kids are counselors, says Aranda, can build opportunity to experience hands-on learning on a regular basis. magnet school is on methodical and analytical enormous enthusiasm around developing programs of study problem solvers. curriculum development. (POS) in the Science, “I encourage all principals to Michael Aranda, Principal, Technology, Engineering and The Science Academy seek the approval of their staffs,” Mathematics (STEM) cluster. of South Texas he says. “They are the ones in the trenches. They are the ones that Aggressive Curriculum can make the school shine.” CLOSERCLOSER In recent years, that focus has been maintained Each year, his teachers also participate in through the national Project Lead The Way extensive PLTW training. As a result, five of the EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION (PLTW) curriculum—a series of courses that seven teachers at SciTech have earned the title of prepare students for rigorous college engineering “Master Teacher” for the program, meaning they programs and gives them practical experience qualify to train other instructors. One of the biggest challenges working on real world projects. PLTW, which has Curriculum, says Aranda, can only grow out of of creating programs of been at the school since 2003, offers what Aranda culture. At SciTech, the culture that surrounds the study for students to follow calls an “exciting and enticing curriculum. PLTW curriculum has been nurtured for years. is to realign them to reflect “At SciTech, we have an aggressive curriculum, Aranda maintains, however, that the key to changing business and not a passive one,” Aranda says. “That’s why our maintaining support for the program lies in the industry needs. Teachers and kids are methodical and analytical problem school’s willingness to constantly assess student counselors should drive the solvers.” progress. development of programs of Recently ranked as one of “America’s Best High study by continually thinking Schools” by Newsweek magazine, it may seem at ahead to ensure they reflect the realities of the workplace. By constantly evolving programs of study, teachers and counselors can better connect the dots between classroom learning and high-skill, high-wage, or high- demand careers.

At the Science Academy of South Texas (Sci Tech), an aggressive engineering curriculum helps keep students engaged throughout the learning process.

17 Partnership Spotlight Community Hospitality

hen East Central ISD in San Antonio hour at the hotel at a time. During that received an AchieveTexas College hour, the students rotate through the Self-Assessment Checklist Wand Career Redesign grant in hotel’s various departments, including the 2007, the hope was to generate enough front desk, hotel restaurant, human interest from students to get the school’s resources, and housekeeping. Measure how well your school or Hospitality program going again. And boy district is implementing Step 3— did it work. Pride and Professionalism Implement Texas Achievement Plans— By implementing Texas Achievement During the hospitality services course, by checking off the items it is doing. Plans (TAPs), the district has been able to as well as through the applied skills ❏ grow the program exponentially. One developed in job shadowing partnerships ❏ Education/training goals are important key to success, says East Central like the one with El Tropicano, students specified in student Texas CTE Director Taffi Hertz, is get an opportunity to Achievement Plans (TAPs) and are community partnerships. cater district events, compatible with high school course Community partnerships have selections. “Community lead directly to growth in our including monthly partnerships have lead CTE curriculum. teacher luncheons, ❏❏ Career choices are specified in directly to growth in our Christmas dinners, and TAPs and are compatible with high Taffi Hertz, CTE Director, CTE curriculum,” says school board dinners. school course selection. East Central ISD Hertz. “If not for “I really noticed that ❏❏ State developed programs of partnerships, we may have the kids had a lot of study models are used to assist had a difficult time convincing people to pride in what they were doing,” Hertz says educators, students, and parents. invest in this program. Now we have that of the catering events. “They were very support. And as a result, our students are professional. You could tell they had ❏❏ Postsecondary and secondary plans constantly engaging in hands-on learning practiced.” are reviewed annually. experiences.” While the community has enhanced the ❏❏ Postsecondary career preparation student experience in the East Central ISD, is addressed. Job Shadowing Hertz says it’s the district’s teachers that ❏❏ Lifelong learning attitudes are The district is currently in the process of have done the bulk of the legwork to get developed. building a new high school that will be such partnerships going, working with outfitted with a large Culinary Arts Center industry partners on a weekly, and ❏❏ Strong extended learning through which the school plans to expand sometimes daily basis. experiences are part of the school’s the Hospitality program even further. One “Teachers must have initiative,” she says. programs of study and students’ focus of the center will be to create hands- “But I also think it helps tremendously if TAPs. on, applied learning opportunities. they are familiar with the industry and have ❏❏ Portfolios showcase student As a result of community support, the recent work experience. Of course, we have learning and interests. district has also managed to create a to make sure they can work with the kids number of successful job shadowing first, but it’s so much easier to work with partnerships with the local business students if teachers are willing to go out community, the largest of which is with the there and meet industry partners to make El Tropicano Riverwalk Hotel in downtown partnerships happen.” San Antonio. Connected to the curriculum’s hospitality services course, the partnership CLOSERCLOSER EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION gives East Central students a chance to learn various aspects of the hospitality and Using the learning acquired during career awareness activities in elementary school and career tourism industry that is so vital to the area’s exploration activities in middle school, each 8th grade student in Texas will create a Texas economy. Achievement Plan (TAP) that includes a high school program of study, a postsecondary education or Students visit El Tropicana twice a week training goal, and a career choice. The key to developing an individual TAP that serves the student’s during a two-period block in the middle of goal is to be sure that several stakeholders are providing guidance, including parents/guardians, the school day, spending a little over an counselors, and teachers.

18 Step 4: Enhance Guidance Transforming the Career Planning Process nhancing career and college guidance for and recognize the courses that will help them all students is a pillar of AchieveTexas. reach their career goals.” EIn the Longview Independent School To enable students to better recognize the District (ISD), the ability to execute enhanced relationship between coursework and career guidance has the district’s Career and Technical planning, Deck requires all the CTE teachers in Education (CTE) Center, which accommodates the school to find an academic teacher to work 1,800 students, sending graduates into the area’s with on at least one project. strong manufacturing industry. “We would like to hear a student say, ‘I am in “We’ve made guidance a school- and district AP biology and health science technology wide responsibility,” says Debby Deck, Director because I want to be a nurse or a doctor,’” says of the district’s CTE center. “And it has Deck. “We want the students to know why they transformed the career planning process in are taking a course. And teachers are in the best Longview.” position to help them make the connection.” In addition to aiding student in relating Getting Started classroom learning to the real world, teachers, Part of enhancing guidance, says Deck, is Deck observes, are in a position to motivate to allow students a chance to be exposed to students to stay on schedule in school. Teachers the industries that are important to their spend the most time with students one-on-one, Debby Deck, Director of Longview ISD’s community. In Longview, that goal was reached in the students’ natural learning environment. Career and Technical Education Center, by involving local manufacturing companies in Longview CTE teachers also help update the discusses Texas Achievement Plans the CTE planning process. To spur this process students’ Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) each (TAPs) with Longview student Daylon along, John Stroud, president of the Longview year. Deck says the process helps improve Saldana in one of the center’s computer guidance by connecting students with career labs. Economic Development Corporation, brought in CTE expert William Daggett to speak with planning resources. Longview schools and local companies about “Involving teachers with TAPs gives them how the community can work together to build the opportunity to talk with all the students in Step Synopsis CTE programs. their classes about the students’ goals and career As a result of this initial presentation, local choices,” says Deck, noting that teachers will As students experience manufacturing companies have become active actually send students to talk with other CTE college and career preparation participants in the district’s teachers if their interests are in areas other than CTE program, regularly activities in K–12 education, making presentations, they need accurate information producing brochures, giving and advice from caring and tours of their facilities, and participating on the district’s committed adults. With CTE advisory committee. AchieveTexas, guidance professionals such as school Involving Teachers While community counselors play a key role involvement is critical, Deck in dramatically expanding says that the key to enhancing guidance is to bring teachers the quantity and quality to the forefront of the of resources available to guidance process. “All of our CTE teachers students, such as information are constantly talking to the about what new career students about what their opportunities are emerging. future holds,” Deck says. “We Longview ISD students like Connor Scott Thomas, have access to computer want them to see their future animation software programs thanks to the district’s well-equipped computer labs, one of many hands-on learning experiences available in the district.

19 their own disciplines, thereby adding to the list of caring and committed adults available to counsel students on the career planning process. dea I Let Counselors Counsel Most districts in Texas, including Longview ISD, have struggled to make more time for school counselors to engage in face- g to-face interactions with students. As a result, the principle of “letting counselors counsel,” while still a top priority in theory,

often becomes quite difficult to accommodate in reality. Bi In Longview, the district has combated the problem by adding several new counselors over the past three years. In addition to a 9th grade As interim Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director of the Fort counselor, freshmen Empowered students see their Worth ISD, Sue Guthrie is determined to bring programs of study to all schools in future and take the courses now have access to a her district. needed to reach their goals. separate career To reach this goal, Guthrie crafted a simple to-do list. First on the list? Getting counselor through The This makes guidance and organized. Freshman Initiative, counseling much easier and In 2009, Guthrie and her team have been working to link all the elective the school’s freshman more direct. courses available in the district to career clusters. transition course. Debby Deck, Director, Longview Specialty counselors ISD Career & Technical Center “Our district set the goal early-on of moving all of our electives under career were also brought in clusters,” Guthrie says. “It was an important first step.” for CTE and Special Closely linked, says Guthrie, is the second step: connecting non-elective Education students to help lighten the load of academic courses to career clusters. Core classes such as math and English must also be counselors. And the school even has a counselor to help at-risk linked to CTE courses. students stay in school. Finally, the district has added a dean of In 2008, the district started a summer program called “Math and CTE.” students, whose role is designed to help support counselors and Through the program, the district engages math and CTE teachers in a increase dual-credit enrollment. weeklong course in which they work together to develop their knowledge of one All of these changes, says Deck, add up to more time for another’s disciplines. The end goal of the training exercise is to make students’ counselors to focus on the core of their jobs, helping each classroom experiences more relevant by tying together core academic and CTE student plan his or her college and career plan. classes. “This is not to say that CTE teachers are going to be teaching algebra,” says Start Early and Stay Involved Deck says the key to enhancing guidance in Longview has been, Guthrie. We need to be able to avoid contradiction. In that sense, we are not so “starting early and staying involved.” She says students need to much changing the curriculum as we are changing the language. We just want be actively involved in updating and changing their TAPs each to make sure we are all speaking the same language.” year of high school and should refine their specific goals based A third critical step, says Guthrie, is to empower students in the area of career on their everchanging interests. planning, through enhanced guidance. Longview CTE teachers, as well as a CTE counselor who was “If students are more closely connected to careers, they are going to be more hired during the 2008–2009 school year, meet with students interested in all their academic processes,” she says. “Plus, they can see the each year to reassess the students’ career plans, and the young payoff in the long run because their classroom experiences have meaning and people are encouraged to regularly retake an online interest relevance.” inventory, especially if they are not certain of their chosen Each school will choose three or four major career clusters and then students careers. This exercise, says Deck, empowers her students. can customize their programs of study. The idea is that students are more likely “Empowered students see their future and take the courses to be enrolled in programs of study that interest them, thereby getting a solid needed to reach their goals,” says Deck. “This makes guidance and counseling much easier and more direct. Students see that starting point for creating their Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs). they need AP English if they want to major in audio/video As part of enhanced guidance in Fort Worth, students are introduced to career production because clusters in middle school, when they take two courses on career planning, one of which helps students design a plan by matching their interests with career strong English skills are FOR MORE INFORMATION needed in that field. Longview ISD • Longview, Texas clusters. Then, when they get to high school, students utilize KUDER, a widely Students become leaders Debby Deck, Director, used career and education assessment software program, to craft a 4-year plan. in the career clusters in Longview ISD Career & Technical Center “We actually give them a software form into which they put their courses,” which they feel their mail to: [email protected], www.lisd.org says Guthrie. “They are designing their own plans.” future lies.”

20 The Student Experience Making an Impact

ayra Alanis, a junior Important Decisions at Los Fresnos High Alanis was first exposed to her career options SSchool in the Los at an elective courses fair held at her middle Fresnos ISD, saw how school during her eighth grade year. There, enhanced guidance played she heard a group of high school students out in her 9th grade Career speak about the school’s Health Science and Technical Education courses. Because her brother had taken the (CTE) class during the same courses, Alanis was somewhat familiar first semester of her first with the program. It wasn’t until she began year. The class was medical learning from her older peers, however, that terminology, and Alanis says she realized just how much the high school it changed her career plans. had to offer. “That class really would “As an eighth grader, it was eye opening for define the rest of my high me,” Alanis says. “I never realized I’d have so school career,” says Alanis, many classes to choose from.” who is one of roughly 800 of Although she focuses on medical courses, the high school’s 2,500 Alanis strives to take at least one technology students that attend the course a year. In fact, counselors at Los district’s career academy. “I Fresnos encourage all students to take as many had an idea going into high technology courses as they can. school that I wanted to work “Technology is really important,” she says. in the medical profession. But “Our entire future is going to be based on after taking that class, I was technology.” sure that [the medical Classes such as principles of business, profession] was where I marketing, and finance, says Alanis, have wanted to go in my career.” helped supplement the knowledge she developed in her core academic and Health Career Confidence Science classes. CLOSERCLOSER Thanks to the course, and the encouragement EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION of her instructor, Alanis says she now has the EXEX confidence to take the necessary steps to earn a I was really shy when I first enrolled job in the medical field. in CTE courses. But my teacher “I was really shy when I first enrolled in recognized how much I cared about One major career planning task CTE courses,” Alanis says. “But my teacher the medical field. She provided the with which a guidance counselor recognized how much I cared about the guidance I needed to take more can help students is the issue medical field. She provided the guidance I classes and to get involved in any of earning college credit. If needed to take more classes and to get way that I could. Ever since then I your school has articulation involved in any way that I could. Ever since have been having a lot of fun and agreements, it is important then, I have been having a lot of fun and learning so much. that your guidance counselors learning so much.” help make sure young people Sayra Alanis, junior, Her experience, says Alanis, is far from Los Fresnos High School know to ask for their earned uncommon. In fact, she says that teachers in college credit when they get to the district played a key role in the career the postsecondary institution. guidance process from start to finish. Upon graduation, Alanis would like to Meanwhile, if your school “Our teachers actually encourage us when attend Rice University in Houston, where she has dual-credit opportunities, they know we are interested in something,” plans to pursue a Pre-medicine major before guidance counselors should make Alanis says. “They approach us because all the going on to school for Dentistry, a plan that sure students are enrolling in the teachers recruit to bring more and more all started with one CTE course in her courses that can help them reach students into their classes.” freshman year. their career goals more quickly.

21 Counselor to Counselor Steps to Success

hile working as a Guidance Counselor at Smithville High School Win the Smithville ISD for the last nine years, Troy Alonzo Enis has seen student awareness about the need for career planning grow and grow. “This year’s ninth grade is much more in tune with developing a sequence of courses,” Enis says. “They almost demand it.” The real change, says Enis, came when the district first heard about AchieveTexas a few years back. Since that time, according to Enis, a culture has developed around the need to provide students with curriculum that is relevant to their career interests and to take them through the steps to success. “AchieveTexas has changed the way we deliver guidance,” Enis says. “Having a defined career goal motivates students, especially in their junior and senior years. They know which [classes] they need to take because they recognize career planning as a continuous process.” Enis says that at Smithville High, he has the benefit of a low student-to-counselor ratio. The CLOSERCLOSER Start With Career Clusters small school has about 540 students and two The foundation of the process, says Enis, is counselors. That puts the two Smithville EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION the career clusters. counselors safely below the AchieveTexas– Smithville’s clusters, which education recommended 300 students per counselor. As a leaders established using interest inventories result, Enis is able to meet with his students Articulation agreements are conducted by the district’s central office between 10 and 15 times a year, on average. notoriously difficult to negotiate are Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources; among different secondary Arts, A/V Technology & Communications; Careers and Academics and postsecondary institutions, Business Management & Administration; “I had to set up a sign-up sheet because so many each with its own standards, and Education & Training. students were asking to come in,” says Enis. “We really get to know one another.” interests, and pressures. At Smithville, the students are simply divided Yet one of the principles of When students are looking at between the two counselors by the first letter of AchieveTexas is to make it careers, they are, in many ways, their last names, and the counselors handle both making academic decisions easy for students to identify career and academic counseling. and follow seamless paths Troy Alonzo Enis, “It has been really positive to be able to work through school and into Guidance Counselor, on both the career and academic sides,” says Enis. Smithville High School “When students are looking at careers, they are, professions. Everyone involved in many ways, making academic decisions. in articulation negotiations With those career clusters in place, Enis Likewise, everything we do in terms of academic must compromise to keep says counselors are freed up to do what they guidance has to do with the careers in which they the interests of students at do best: counsel. are interested. the forefront of discussions, And whereas many Texas counselors will “We are constantly trying to make as well as look for win- tell you that they are burdened with duties at high school relevant to students on a personal school that do not involve advising students, level.” win situations for all the institutions.

22 Partnership Spotlight Guiding Partnerships

f the nine career clusters featured in which a person finances a vehicle. Levelland High School’s Career and “A lot of our students like Levelland Self-Assessment Checklist OTechnical Education (CTE) Program, the and want to stay here,” says Tyson. “That’s most prominent has always been Business why we picked these businesses, because Management and Administration (BMA). they are major employers in our Measure how well your school or district So, when Levelland CTE Liaison Juanice community.” is implementing Step Four—Enhance Tyson and other career education leaders in Guidance—by checking off below the the district began the process of pursuing a Combining with Colleges efforts it is already making. $50,000 AchieveTexas College and Career Tyson adds that combining these Redesign grant in 2007, it was no surprise experiences with dual-credit agreements ❏❏ Credit options exist that enable that the plan would be for the money to go with local colleges has been key. students to take part in advanced primarily to strengthen the partnerships in “With career planning, you need a place placement, advanced technical credit, the school’s Business program. where students can go for continuing or dual-credit courses. education,” Tyson says. “That is why your Business Gets Involved partnership should include not only ❏❏ Students succeed in innovative During the 2007–2008 school year, businesses, but also community colleges programs that allow them to earn Levelland High partnered with two and universities.” college credits in high school (e.g., the significant local businesses: AimBank and And although co-curricular learning Early College High School program). Smith South Plains, a experiences help enhance ❏❏ Articulation agreements are major auto dealership students’ academic in the town and a big With career planning, you need experiences, Tyson says coordinated and aligned that support employer for the a place where students can go that it was the teachers student acquisition of credits. community. for continuing education. That themselves who were the ❏❏ Assessments that support the Each partnership, is why your partnership should driving force behind the progressive acquisition of knowledge include not only businesses, says Tyson, has given creation of the and skills by students are coordinated but also community colleges students a chance to partnerships. and aligned. develop business skills, and universities. “When we decided to thereby enhancing the Juanice Tyson, CTE Liaison, go after the AchieveTexas ❏❏ Curriculum is coordinated and aligned offerings in Levelland Levelland ISD grant, specifically for our in order to produce curricula. High’s business Business program, the first ❏❏ K–12 curricula are meaningfully coursework. place we went was to our business progressive and cumulative for “First of all, the experiences help to create teachers,” she says. individual student learning. an attitude more conducive to learning in the classroom,” Tyson says. “Knowing how Partner With Business ❏❏ Academic subjects are integrated with to act properly in public affects the way you From there, Levelland ISD Director career education. learn,” she says. “We make sure our of Instructional Services Jerry Beard ❏❏ Interdisciplinary, problem/project– students learn respect.” approached the business community directly about the grant. The first step based instruction supports student Choosing Clusters That was to partner with the businesses as learning. Fit Your Community consultants on how the grant money could ❏❏ The student-to-counselor ratio should While the BMA cluster is most prevalent best be used to partner with the Levelland ideally be 300 students for each in Levelland, the Finance cluster also business community as a whole. counselor. benefits greatly from the district’s strongest “We wanted to make sure businesses partnerships. The partnership with were giving us their true thoughts,” Tyson AimBank, for example, gives students a says. Transparency, she says, fits well with chance to be surrounded by a day-to-day the school’s overall plan of fostering business environment that in many ways goodwill in the community. “We needed to reflects that of a finance-centered business. hear the positives and the negatives so that Meanwhile, students that participate in we could offer the program that would best the Smith South Plains job shadowing prepare our students for entering the local experience are exposed to the process by workforce.” 23 Step 5: Build Seamless Connections Connecting the Dots Between Learning and Living indy Miller, Career and Technical class saying, ‘I will be so glad when I’m Education (CTE) Coordinator of Frenship finished with this class because I will never CISD in Wolfforth, helps students connect have to use that information again.’ I tapped the dots. From exploring the world of work him on the shoulder and said, ‘Didn’t you at an early age to developing a plan of study come to see me a couple of days ago and tell that makes the most of each course, students me you wanted to become an architect? follow a sequence of courses that helps them You’re going to use geometry. So if graduate with a healthy head start on college architecture is something you’re really and a high-demand, high-paying job waiting passionate about, then you need to learn it.’” for them at the other end. As she says, “We want all students walking Halfway Through College across that graduation stage to know where Before Graduation they are going and how they are going to Those students who want to pursue a college successfully get there.” education find that they can earn two years of Frenship ISD, located just southwest of college credit by the end of their senior year Lubbock, includes six elementary schools, in high school. two middle schools, and Frenship High Frenship ISD Career and Technical Education (CTE) Through seamless transition articulation Coordinator Cindy Miller and her team of counselors School, which offers student internships with agreements with South Plains College and and teachers have worked hard to ensure that many businesses in the immediate area and Texas Tech University, Frenship offers dual students have a chance not only to graduate, but to more than 60 hours of dual college credit pursue postsecondary education and training as well. college credit opportunities in the following through CTE courses. programs of study: Manufacturing, The seamless adventure begins in Automotive Technology, Child elementary school, where the children are Development, Business, Health Science– exposed to career-awareness resources and Vocational Nursing, and Education and Step Synopsis participate in career fairs that use scavenger Training. A basic principle of AchieveTexas hunts to lead students to different stations For the manufacturing sector, the where businesspeople explain the unique articulation agreements grew out of a real is to create a seamless educational careers in their need. Frenship and its experience, one that carries students industries and how We want all students walking surrounding communities from elementary school to high school, important education possess a wealth of will be for students in across that graduation stage to postsecondary opportunities, and into to know where they are going manufacturing companies. the future. The A couple of years ago, the the work force. This process depends on adventure continues and how they are going to successfully get there. West Texas Manufacturing careful coordination between institutions through middle Association predicted that 74 to ensure alignment and articulation of school, where, like Cindy Miller, CTE Coordinator, percent of the region’s Frenship ISD curricula, instruction, and assessment. their high school workforce would retire in counterparts, the next five years. This process should incorporate students use career Concerned that they opportunities for earning certifications exploration software to investigate various would not be able to fill this workforce that coordinate with students’ career careers and begin the development of online shortage by that time, the association, goals. It should allow students to earn career portfolios that will be updated WorkForce Solutions South Plains, and the throughout their high school years. Further, Lubbock Economic Development Alliance college credits while still in high school, summer career camps are provided for partnered with Frenship ISD, Lubbock ISD, whether that be through dual credit, middle school students to help them apply and South Plains College (SPC). A $500,000 advanced technical credit, or articulation their knowledge and skills to real-world grant was provided by the Texas Workforce agreements with colleges that ensure projects. Commission to establish a two-year “We’re trying to help kids make Manufacturing program at these high school easy credit transfer. connections to what they are learning in their campuses and with SPC. Among the many academic courses in order to achieve their advances that were made with the grant was future career goals,” says Miller. “I overheard the building of a new Career and Technical a student coming out of a geometry pre-AP Education Center. 2424 “This grant provided the equipment, also transfer into SPC’s associate degree of furnishings, curriculum, testing materials, nursing program, where the students can and the opportunity to take field trips to obtain their registered nursing license a year various manufacturing companies so our after high school.” dea students could learn about the tremendous I opportunities available in this career field,” Education and Training says Miller. The district has three articulated courses

Manufacturing credits can be transferred with South Plains Community College g to the community college, and many that fall under the Education and Training companies offer cash assistance to students career cluster. The courses, titled Child who want to work while they pursue higher Development Associate Training 1, 2, and 3, Bi education. provide students with training in the area of Early Childhood Education. Kids who dread the thought of taking Nurturing Nurses Students complete the first two courses, courses for college credit or certification should As for its nursing program, Frenship which are taken online, during their junior ISD picked up on what some postsecondary year of high school. consider this: Students at A. C. Jones High schools in the area had already started on a During the third and final child School in the Beeville ISD collectively saved limited basis. development course, $99,654 in higher education tuition and fees In 2004, the taken during their by enrolling in academic transfer and Career senior year, the South Plains and Technical Education classes during the Nursing Coalition students are actually 2007–2008 school year. established an paid to work as articulation assistants to local Through its articulation agreement with agreement with elementary school Coastal Bend College last year, A. C. Jones South Plains teachers. The offered 48 CTE and 18 academic courses to its College and Texas opportunity is similar approximately 1,030 students, as well as 15 to the student Tech School of Level 1 certifications. The process of getting Nursing in an effort teaching training that the dual-credit courses approved is fairly to increase the most students number of participate in as straightforward, says A. C. Jones Counselor graduating nurses college students. Kathryn Belcher. working in the “I see so many “Coastal Bend went to the Texas Higher community. After Frenship High School teacher Jodi Barnes works with student teachers Education Coordinating Board, which approved students in her health occupations class. Applied learning coming right of several years, 97 courses for articulation,” Belcher explains. however, it still was experiences such as this are key to keeping students college in their senior involved in career planning. “Then we took their objectives for the courses not getting the year of college,” number of students it needed coming into Miller says. “And so many of them find out and matched them to the TEKS (Texas Essential South Plains and transferring into Texas that they just do not want to teach. We try Knowledge and Skills) specifications.” Tech to meet an immense nursing shortage. to help them find that out before college.” The savings for students and their parents So leaders decided to look to the high school The program lasts throughout the school have been substantial. year, with students leaving the high school level. At first, the group just offered a few “If a student is a county resident, then he or summer camps unrelated to the high school. for two class periods a day to participate in she is not charged tuition or fees,” she says. But after Miller heard about the need for the internship. In addition to the hands-on nursing students, she became energized and experiences, the courses also allow students “Out of about 162 kids enrolled in dual-credit began talking to both students and teachers, to earn the Child Development Associate classes this year, only two live out of the county. who were very interested in working more National Credential (CDA), which Miller And the college even offers reduced tuition for closely with the program. says can be useful for students looking for our non-county students. employment while pursuing postsecondary “We immediately contacted the “This is what these kids need,” Belcher community college and asked if we could education. attests. “Being from a lower socioeconomic offer a Vocational Nursing program at community, many of them will find it difficult to Frenship High School,” said Miller. “We put go to college because they have to work. If they a program together that allows the students FOR MORE INFORMATION to get 39 hours of dual college credit from Frenship ISD • Wolfforth, Texas can leave high school with the skills for higher- South Plains College in a Vocational Cindy Miller, CTE Coordinator paying jobs, they can work and go to school at mail to: [email protected], Nursing program through which a student the same time.” will graduate as a licensed Vocational Nurse www.frenship.us right after high school. These college hours 25 The Student Experience Giving Students the Business

Winning Spirit Undaunted, Gamble rewrote the entire speech that night, changing the topic entirely, and spent the morning memorizing it. She ended up winning the regionals, as did her global marketing team. By the time she went to the national conference and won the prize for best-prepared speech, she was hooked. By her senior year, she was BPA national president, secondary division. “I knew that the professional and the leadership skills I was getting from these conferences was something I wanted to give back, too,” says Gamble, now a senior. “A lot of people think that BPA is just about going into business, but it can be applied to any job. The best part is being able to find those links between what I learn in the classroom and how it applies to the real business world, careers, and everyday life.” BPA is only one of several organizations Gamble finds valuable and fun. In addition to her other interests, such as cooking, football games, hen considering student organizations and hanging with her friends, and her part-time CLOSERCLOSER to join as a freshman at Frisco High job, Gamble is student council secretary and EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION WSchool in the Frisco ISD, Symone Gamble senior class president. She’s also in the National EXEX had already rejected Business Professionals Honor Society, the National Technical Honor of America (BPA). She’d gone to a couple of Society, the Key Club, and the debate club. meetings, but the group was small, it was late in Part of the challenge of the year, and she felt she wasn’t getting much out Staying Involved AchieveTexas is to create of it. Why so many student organizations? In many community connections that “Then in my sophomore year I had a teacher instances, they are where she meets with her help students link up with local that kept asking me to hang up these flyers about friends, but she is also active in clubs because of companies. To help, keep an BPA,” she remembers. “She kept on saying I had the seamless connections to the school updated list of all the students to go to one curriculum, the skills the clubs teach, and their who have earned industry- of the scholarship opportunities. Gamble has already A lot of people think that recognized certifications at your meetings. She received scholarships for her participation in Key BPA is just about going school. Then offer the list to was so Club and her work in the student council. And into business, but it can local Rotary Clubs, chamber persistent I she has some advice for students interested in be applied to any job. of commerce, and business decided to joining one of the dozens of clubs available in and economic development give it a shot Symone Gamble, senior, high school. groups, so that as they hear of and go back.” Frisco High School “Get into a student organization that companies in need, they can Soon, corresponds with what you like,” she advises. “A help act as clearinghouses Gamble found herself entered in BPA’s annual great one is student council, because it lets you for matching students to job competition in the prepared speech and global directly affect yourself and your school. But don’t opportunities. Document these marketing categories. She was headed to the just stack on the clubs; you can get more out of success stories so that they regional competition—and got her first chance them if you join just a few. Think outside the box can be used to publicize the to turn a crisis into an opportunity. about which ones could help get you where you seamlessly connected programs “The night before regionals, the computer want to go. Find a few things you can be you have to offer. crashed and I lost my speech,” she says. “So I passionate about and that can give you unique either had to withdraw from the competition or experiences. It can make all the other classes a bit rewrite it from scratch.” more bearable.”

26 Counselor to Counselor Helping Freshmen Make the Connections n a school as large as Duncanville High School in the Duncanville ISD, which Iserves 3,850 students, an incoming freshman can feel completely lost. Just locating his or her classes can be an adventure. Add the pressure of choosing a potential career by spring, and, well, the ninth grade counselors and staff know they have to address a variety of needs all at once. The solution: Freshman Connections. It is a one-semester course limited to 25 students per class working one-on-one with eight teachers and counselors. “Freshman Connections has been the best answer for counselors working with students to develop their four-year plans with an emphasis on the AchieveTexas initiative,” says Duncanville Counselor Kena McKee. “DHS has one of the largest Career and Technical Education projects for their underclassmen. For the (CTE) programs in Texas, and this class freshman, it’s an eye-opener. For the allows counselors work with students Freshman Connections has been elective instructors, it’s a recruitment individually to develop their career plans the best answer for counselors tool. while giving them a clearer vision of working with students to The last six weeks, kids concentrate on each program than they would have develop their four-year plans planning for the future. (In the second through a brochure or handout.” with an emphasis on the semester, career planning begins earlier AchieveTexas initiative. to allow for course selection by March.) High Energy Learning Leslie Hash, Lead Teacher, They participate in the Marriage Project, “This is a very high-energy class,” says Freshman Connections, where they draw for spouses, Freshman Connections lead teacher, Duncanville High School occupations, and problems, such as a Leslie Hash. “Because it’s student-based, disabled child, then create budgets and it takes a lot of time and patience. You business cards and making connections solve family problems. They complete have to get to know your kids’ interests, with faculty and staff on campus. two career research papers, one and they drive what you do in class.” By the middle of the semester, exploring their first career choice and With 50 classes representing 12 career students divide into teams to practice another on a backup career. And if time clusters at Duncanville, the class focuses essential work ethics. Using the book the permits, they practice interview skills on educating the kids on courses and 7 Habits of Highly Successful Teens as a and create resumes. career choices. guide, they create presentations for each “The kids are so engaged, they’re “The first six weeks is just getting to other. having so much fun, they don’t realize know your students,” says Hash. “In the what they’ve learned until they’ve left,” beginning they’re telling you want they Planning for the Future says Hash. want to be. Half of them want to be Perhaps the most important thing “These kids have a narrow focus on doctors, but they’re not passing their Freshman Connections offers is the the opportunities available when they classes. So you have to figure out what opportunity to tour the electives on come in. They all want to be doctors, you think they need to start focusing.” campus. From sign language class to TV lawyers, rappers, and actors. With this The students investigate careers production (Duncanville High includes course, their eyes are really opened, and online, take career interest surveys, and a complete television production when they leave, I have biochemists, participate in projects that explore their studio), instructors and older students engineers their selections are much likes and dislikes. They begin offer 10- to 30-minute discussions of more vast.” networking exercises, creating fictitious what they do in class and display their 27 Partnership Spotlight Partnering for Bigger Goals

estled in a Southeast Texas community advanced measure just have to make an A or B of fewer than 1,000 residents, Pettus in the high school class and then request their Self-Assessment Checklist NHigh School (PHS) depends greatly on credit when they enroll in college. These its relationship with Coastal Bend College courses do not cost them any money or time (CBC) in nearby Beeville. Although a limited outside of the school day.” Measure how well your school or budget means the school cannot offer every district is implementing Step 5— career cluster it would like, it presents an Looking to the Future Build Seamless Connections—by excellent example of how some schools are Looking to the future, PHS is also active in checking off the items it is doing. doing more with less for the benefit of their the Tech Prep program at Del Mar College students. in Corpus Christi, where Warner serves on ❏❏ Credit options exist that Through its partnership with Coastal Bend the education committee. Tech Prep also enable students to take part in College, PHS offers students the opportunity to alerts area educators to upcoming changes in advance placement, advance take 24 dual-credit courses, some of which are curriculum, such as modifications to the TEKS technical credit, or dual-credit offered online and supported by the school’s and programs of study, and new opportunities, courses. computer lab designated for that purpose. such as the Texas Virtual School Network, “Pettus ISD also offers our seniors modified which offers supplemental, online courses for ❏❏ Students succeed in school days if they choose,” says Susan Warner, Texas students. innovative programs that Director of Special Programs and Counselor. Warner and her Career and Technical allow them to earn college “They may miss first and second periods or Education (CTE) teachers also aggressively credits in high school. sixth and seventh pursue grants from Tech Prep ❏ periods to allow and Perkins grants in order to ❏ Articulation agreements are The articulation agreements are coordinated and aligned to them time to travel awesome because students who take purchase needed equipment support student acquisition of to Coastal Bend advantage of this option of obtaining and provide professional credits. College to take an advanced measure just have to development, often pooling college classes. make an A or B in the high school grant funds with 11 other ❏❏ Assessments are coordinated These courses are schools in the region. class and then request their credit and aligned that support tuition free.” “If we receive $4,000 in when they enroll in college. These the progressive acquisition funds and pool it with the courses do not cost them any money of skills and knowledge by Articulation or time outside of the school day. other schools, we receive Agreements more than $4,000 in services,” students. Dr. Susan Warner, Currently, PHS Warner points out. “Last year ❏❏ Curriculum is coordinated and Director of Special Programs/ offers limited we used our Tech Prep grant CTE Counselor, Pettus High School aligned, in order to produce courses in the funds to purchase four Auto curricula. following career CAD licenses so that our clusters: Architecture and Construction; Agricultural Sciences teacher can teach our ❏❏ K–12 curricula is meaningfully Information Technology; Manufacturing; and students how to make blueprints for any progressive and cumulative Arts, A/V Technology and Communications. project that they choose to create.” for individual student learning. It offers two Advanced Placement (AP) Although she admits that there are many ❏❏ Academic subjects are English courses and has added pre-AP biology, things she’d like PHS students to have access to integrated with career chemistry, and geometry in hopes of having AP that just aren’t feasible in the current economy, education. classes in those subjects next year. It emphasizes Warner is very pleased with what the school’s two important high-wage sectors, computer students have accomplished with the tools ❏❏ Interdisciplinary, problem/ information technology and welding, and has they’ve been given. project-based instruction articulation agreements with Coastal Bend “Last year, of our graduating class of 25 supports student learning. College for programs in those subjects. seniors, 20 graduated with a recommended or “The articulation agreements are awesome,” distinguished diploma and 23 were accepted to says Warner, “because students who take a university, college, or trade school,” she says. advantage of this option of obtaining an

28 Step 6: Establish Extended Learning Opportunities Linking the Classroom and the Real World hen kids get involved in extended Belliveau observes. “They bring out a positive learning activities, they are so sort of competitiveness that engages Wexcited,” says Alison Belliveau, Career students.” and Technical Education (CTE) Director for Luckily for those enrolled at Temple ISD, Temple Independent School District (ISD). any student participating in a career The district’s, and, in particular, Belliveau’s education subject is eligible to join the focus on growing extended learning corresponding CTSO, which in Temple opportunities is a great case study for how includes numerous organizations connected to connect the classroom with real-world to career programs of study that are as varied experiences under the AchieveTexas model, as Culinary Arts and Robotics. which envisions all students participating in CTSO competitive events can also qualify one or more extended learning experiences as capstone projects, which all students in during high school. When she first came to Temple ISD, With AchieveTexas, it is very Temple ISD CTE Director Alison Belliveau Belliveau says her first step was to take stock works with students during a meeting of the of the extended learning opportunities— important that extended learning district’s Robotics Club. Belliveau says that such such as field trips, internships, and opportunities be directly aligned co-curricular extended learning experiences help mentoring—that were already in place in the with programs of study. keep students focused on their career plans. district. From there, she focused the district’s Alison Belliveau, attention on building strong community CTE Director, Temple ISD partnerships, which, in Temple, includes a yearly chamber of commerce–sponsored job Step Synopsis shadowing program. Temple’s Institutes of Study are required to When she started that process about two complete. Indeed, the value of CTSOs is best In today’s world, student learning years ago, Belliveau and her team also demonstrated through competitions in happens around the clock—at worked to align the existing CTE courses by which Temple students have participated. career cluster, simultaneously eliminating “When you think about regional contests, school, on the computer, at home courses that were no longer in high demand. the judges are usually current employers with parents or guardians, in the In terms of extended learning, this step from the local area,” says Belliveau. “So they workplace, in the community— helped establish a relationship between the actually provide feedback on the spot for AchieveTexas career programs of study and students. Sometimes, students even get a everywhere and all the time. Students, the actual extended learning opportunities written letter from the judges.” in fact, never stop learning. The available to students in the district. “With AchieveTexas, it is very important that question is: What are they learning extended learning opportunities be directly and how does it support, or detract aligned with programs of study,” from, their education and career Belliveau says. goals? Extended learning takes place Positive Competition outside the classroom through Career One of the primary forms of curricular and Technical Student Organizations learning is Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). Thousands of Texas (CTSOs), internships, job shadowing, students belong to such groups. CTSOs mentoring, and other programs. It is seek to build students’ skills through local, curricular rather than extracurricular regional, state, and national competitive events that evaluate what students learn in because high-quality extended the classroom. This includes skills such as learning experiences should be linked public speaking, leadership, and teamwork, as well as specific occupational skills. to what students are exploring in the Temple ISD teacher Brian Kopriva (center) works “I am all about CTSOs because they get with students in one of the district’s veterinary classroom. students involved in their education,” medicine courses. 29 Belliveau says the strategy she uses that and thereby makes more time for them is most critical to the success of Temple to focus on building extended learning

CTSOs is to pay teachers extra for partnerships. dea overseeing the organizations. For the One such step requires teachers to three tiers of extra pay offered in Temple, have community speakers visit every six I the maximum yearly payout to teachers weeks. In addition to enriching the is $500. student experience, give the teachers a “The extra duty pay is an important break from teaching for a day, something g reason for the growth of our CTSOs,” that Belliveau says is a small, but says Belliveau. “You’ve got to get the appreciated, perk of bringing extended teachers excited. Keep teaching alive. I learning to the classroom itself. Bi really think you need to compensate “It is just one more thing that makes your teachers to do it.” the hard stuff easier,” she says. “Getting The CTE motto of the Katy ISD in Katy is simple: to see adults other than their teachers is “Help all students succeed, no matter their academic Simple, Elegant Solutions really helpful for students. From human Educators also participate in extended resources directors to the actual bosses, skill sets.” learning. Belliveau sends her faculty out they tell students exactly what they do in In attempting to cater to all students, the leaders of on “educator externships,” which allow their jobs and provide real-world Katy’s Miller Career & Technology Center, which offers a teachers and counselors the chance to perspectives.” curriculum that is based on the AchieveTexas concept, work in businesses for a day. Then, using Another elegantly simple support step realized that there was one segment of the student the applied knowledge and skills gained Belliveau believes in is for district CTE population that was being marginalized by CTE. in those experiences, teachers craft lesson directors like her to take on more plans that tie workplace realities back to responsibility, particularly with regard to Of the center’s 720 students, a handful is identified classroom coursework. the more tedious activities related to each year as being academically gifted. To ensure this Like many other ISDs in Texas, career instruction. segment of the population is supported, the district Temple is busy integrating academic and “When you, as a CTE Director, offer to created a program called Professional Advancement CTE curricula. Belliveau is even do some of the heavy lifting, it helps a through Career Education (PACE). PACE is made up requiring all CTE teachers to develop lot,” she says. “My teachers know they of dozens of partnerships with local businesses that lessons with their colleagues in the core have my support because I step up and academic disciplines. “Many of our take on tasks they would normally do. offer academically advanced students unpaid, multi- teachers have done that on their own,” There is no way I could create these occupational internships. reports Belliveau. “My teachers know expectations for what I want them to do “They feel like they are a step above their peers,” that they have my support because I to implement AchieveTexas, and then says Teresa Elliot, the Katy teacher who coordinates wouldn’t ask them to do anything I not get directly involved with the work.” PACE. To qualify for the program, students must be wouldn’t do myself.” seniors and have a GPA of 3.8 or higher. “The program And although that culture does speak FOR MORE INFORMATION helps them prepare better for their future.” to the commitment of teachers and Temple ISD • Temple, Texas counselors, it in large part has its basis in Alison Belliveau, CTE Director The actual partnerships that make up PACE are Belliveau’s committed leadership. By mail to: [email protected], changed regularly depending on the interests of enacting a series of small support steps, www.tisd.org students. For the 2009–2010 school year, PACE boasts she helps lighten the load of educators some 40 partnerships, including internships at a local hospital and job shadowing partnerships with local automotive technicians. Texas CTSOs Like many community partnerships under the Business Professionals of America (BPA) • www.texasbpa.com AchieveTexas model, the business relationships that DECA, Texas Association • www.texasdeca.org make up the PACE program are typically fostered by Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) • www.texasfccla.org CTE teachers being active in the community. In fact, Miller CTE instructors are given at least one period each Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) • www.txfbla.org day to help develop such relationships. Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) • www.texashste.com “The teachers are the ones who make this happen,” SkillsUSA • www.txskillsusa.org says Anna Webb-Storey, the Miller Career & Technology Texas FFA Association • www.texasffa.org Center’s Principal. “It boils down to the relationships Texas Technology Student Association (TSA) • www.texastsa.org between teachers and business partners.”

30 The Student Experience Making Connections

The Power of Competition “The minute Dario joined BPA, he hit the ground running,” says Jan Haynie, the Business Management and Administration Teacher who first encouraged Scalco to get involved with BPA. Haynie began working with Scalco while he was a sophomore enrolled in a course called business information management. “I really got into the groove with that class,” Scalco says. Since that class and throughout his years at Birdville, Scalco has successfully participated in numerous BPA contests, including competitions on Microsoft Word, Microsoft Access, and business leadership. “In learning about the BPA competitive events, my first goal was to compete and to win,” Scalco says. “But my longterm goal is to be able to implement those skills with any project I work on. And that is already starting to happen.”

Taking the Lead In his junior year, Scalco began filling leadership positions within the organization eyond developing practical knowledge, both at the local and the state level, eventually CLOSERCLOSER extended learning opportunities can help becoming the Area 1, Region 1 President of the EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION Binstill a sense of purpose in students organization, something Haynie says elevated EXEX taking Career and Technical Education his career preparation to a new level. courses (CTE). “Becoming President of BPA allowed Dario “I developed confidence and pride in myself to truly soar,” she says. “He absolutely took it Extended learning should not be through my extracurricular on with a vengeance.” an afterthought. In many districts, involvement,” says Dario In learning about the BPA Scalco says his career because applied learning Scalco, a senior at Birdville competitions, my first goal goal is to earn a master’s experiences, such as internships High School in North Richland was to compete and to win. degree in accounting and and job shadowing, fall outside Hills. “Without Career and But my longer-term goal own his own business the classroom, districts have Technical Student is to be able to implement before eventually going a tendency to downplay the Organizations [CTSOs], I those skills with any project into politics. development of the programs would probably not be the I work on. And that is To reach those goals, with local businesses. Extended kind of student I am today.” already starting happen. Scalco says he will rely on learning, however, is critical to When it comes to taking the knowledge he has engaging students with both Dario Scalco, senior, advantage of extracurricular Birdville High School gained while observing career and academic education. learning, Scalco is the real deal. various student Creating a focused effort to He is deeply involved with Business organizations in action. provide extended learning is one Professionals of America (BPA), a CTSO that “I have discovered the importance of the of the best ways to ensure that gives students a chance to showcase their small tasks that lead to the success of an what is taught in the classroom is developing business skills in regional and organization,” Scalco says. “Success starts with relevant in the workplace. national competitions. one, simple task.”

31 Counselor to Counselor Observe and Learn

n the Belton ISD, the counselor’s role in establishing extended learning Iopportunities is to work through teachers to spark student interest in the experiences. “Not all counselors think of themselves as career counselors,” says Kay Archer, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Facilitator for Belton ISD, “but they really are. We all learn from each other. So our strategy is to get teachers involved. When students can hear about these opportunities from teachers on a regular basis, they are much more likely to participate in extended learning.” To help further involve counselors, Archer meets with her team of guidance professionals to discuss which job shadowing opportunities are going to be available. That way both counselors and teachers are talking to students about the students’ chances to take part in extended learning.

College is an expensive One of the keys to making a job shadowing place to do career planning. experience valuable, says Archer, is to put your CLOSERCLOSER Students need to focus on business partners in front of your students. career planning much sooner, EXEXEXAMINATIONEXAMINATION so that they aren’t constantly From One Career Cluster to Another changing majors in college. Another important component of Belton’s job One barrier to engaging school Kay Archer, CTE Facilitator, shadowing program, says Archer, is the fact that counselors in career guidance is Belton ISD the chamber of commerce coordinates with such their backgrounds. The typical a diverse mix of businesses. The range of job high school guidance counselor Co-Curricular Learning shadowing opportunities includes everything went through a traditional K–12 “The counseling process really opens up from the local newspaper to the local police education program, enrolled when students are aware of and focused on department. in college, became a teacher, taking advantage of co-curricular learning,” Having such a large number of job shadowing and eventually settled into says Archer. “When we can connect those opportunities is particularly useful for students being a guidance professional. experiences with classroom experiences, it interested in the Human Services career cluster, It is uncommon to find career really helps make sure that the students are in which has a great deal of diversity in terms of counselors that boast experience the right classes.” careers that fall under the cluster. And whether in business or industry, and During the 2008–2009 school year, 75 Belton the experience falls under Human Services or that makes it more difficult for juniors participated in job shadowing Information Technology, job shadowing allows them to talk with students about opportunities around the community, all of students to observe and learn from professionals what many employers want. It which were coordinated through the local in different working environments, and thereby is therefore critical for districts chamber of commerce. make more informed decisions about their to develop programs that keep “The chamber was overwhelmed with the futures. counselors up-to-date on the response last year,” says Archer. “But that is “One of our students wanted to be a latest industry standards for the exciting because we want to make sure our veterinarian,” says Archer. “But she almost fainted full range of career clusters. students can handle the real world business when she saw a dog get spayed. That kind of thing Additionally, externships help environment.” is just part of the learning experience.” both students and teachers stay connected to industry.

32 Partnership Spotlight Nursing Experiences

xtended learning opportunities are often that goal is to select the right facilities with only as good as the partnerships that which to partner. The coordinators then Self-Assessment Checklist Edrive them. work with the nursing home and each party’s Take, for example, a nursing home lawyers to develop a contract. externship offered in the Socorro ISD in El In addition to having insurance and legal Measure how well your school or Paso. The experience, which is required for backing, students are required to learn first district is implementing Step 6: those enrolled in the district’s Health Science aid and CPR, as well as submit to Establish Extended Learning by program, allows students to practice their background checks. skills working with clientele in the facility checking off below the efforts it is under the direction or guidance of an Taking the Next Step already making. instructor. By working with health care Each year, about 20 students in the ❏❏ Career education students can providers, says Program Coordinator Elva program become certified nurse’s assistants, Vazquez, students are taking the first steps something that helps drive the nursing home join and actively participate in toward attaining the skills they need to program. the Career and Technical Student succeed in health care. “The success of the nursing home Organizations (CTSOs) that are “The experience really does show them partnership begins in the classroom with aligned with their career clusters work behaviors,” Vazquez says. successful instruction,” Vazquez says. or programs of study. Socorro Health Science ❏❏ Students participate in one Choosing the students also take or more extended learning Right Partner The experience really does show advantage of the district’s experiences as part of their To ensure that each them work behaviors. That is articulation agreement student has plenty of so important because as CTE with El Paso Community school’s programs of study or time to get out and instructors, we are constantly College. Each year, a personal Texas Achievement work in the field, stressing responsibility. percentage of Socorro Plans (TAPs). Socorro introduces Elva Vazquez students begin working ❏❏ Extended learning opportunities Health Science Coordinator, them to the program toward becoming provide students chances to during their Socorro ISD registered nurses or develop soft skills, as well sophomore years. licensed vocational nurses. as teamwork and leadership “That is so important because as Career “When students get to the postsecondary and Technical Education (CTE) instructors, level, there is a lot of competition,” Vazquez experiences. we are constantly stressing responsibility,” says. “The nursing home program is one of ❏❏ Work-based learning is available Vazquez says. several in the district that helps in our for programs of study in the In this relationship, the Career and students’ compete for jobs.” form of apprenticeships, career Technical Education (CTE) preparation courses, internships, instructor serves simply as a or job shadowing opportunities. liaison or chaperone, and the nursing home supervisors ❏❏ A maintained and updated themselves oversee the inventory or roster of extended experience. Where the CTE learning experiences is made instructor really makes a available to the community. difference in extended learning ❏❏ All kinds of learning partnerships, says Vazquez, is in choosing the partnerships opportunities are incorporated that will best serve the needs of to graduate well-educated and the students. highly motivated individuals. Logistically, Vazquez adds, the first step toward meeting

33 Step 7: Build Strong Partnerships CTE at the Center of the Community y the time Wes Cunningham, Frisco being selected to become an Apple Authorized ISD Principal and Curriculum Director, Training Center for Education. Along with Blearned about the AchieveTexas initiative equipping five Apple labs and two mobile in 2005, the district was already ahead of Apple labs, the company provides professional the “learning curve.” It was just nearing development for the entire district’s CTE staff. completion of its new advanced Career & Courses are delivered by www.training.apple. Technical Education Center after years of com/act. Apple certified trainers incorporate partnering with the Frisco community to Apple’s curriculum into the school’s existing decide on the curriculum. curriculum and certify both faculty and “The buy-in included every stakeholder you students, who can distinguish themselves to can imagine,” says Cunningham. “The school colleges or prospective employers as skilled board, local businesses, the higher education users of certain applications, including those community, counselors, administrators, found in software such as iLife or iWork. teachers, students, parents, city government. “In return, Apple uses us as a showplace, We had meetings several times a year to demonstrating how we use Apple products,” determine what everyone wanted or needed in says Cunningham. “And we train others in its a CTE Center.” software. In fact, our Apple Today, the center is an Certified instructor just went An amazing 93 percent exciting example of how to Austin to train teachers of our approximately 450 everyone can benefit when across the state in Apple’s Frisco ISD Principal and Curriculum Director Wes seniors report that they Cunningham (right) talks food with Frisco senior education partners with the video editing program, Final are going to college. Dwight Chambers, a student in the Culinary surrounding community. Cut Pro.” Arts program housed in the district’s Career and Featuring 28 programs of Dr. Wes Cunningham, The center is also working Technical Education (CTE) Center. study through 13 career Principal/Curriculum closely with the local medical clusters, the center offers Director, Frisco ISD Career & community, which has taken a Technical Education Center students eight-year career lead in suggesting coursework. plans and opportunities to “We used to have only two Step Synopsis work with businesses throughout the city. Health Science courses, but the Health Sciences Partnership between schools Students can also explore some of the latest advisory committee came to me saying we and greatest technology at the school’s Apple needed to have pharmacology,” says and businesses is an essential Authorized Training Center. Cunningham. “They wanted EMT [Emergency ingredient of AchieveTexas. Schools Medical Technician] and LVN [Licensed need employers’ input to graduate Getting Down to Business Vocational Nurse] programs and a specialized The CTE Center is located near the heart internship program. So last year, we started students with the right workforce of Frisco’s business district. The visibility with pharmacology. Next year, we’re skills. To facilitate this partnership, helped when Cunningham met with the implementing the specialized internship; the each district is encouraged to Frisco Chamber of Commerce and the city’s following year, we hope to offer EMT courses. Economic Development Corporation, which Right now, three of our area medical centers create its own Texas Business helped him recruit business leaders and others offer internships to our students on a rotating Education Success Team (B.E.S.T.) interested in partnering. basis.” to implement its local career cluster “We have one large CTE advisory committee Other business partners have offered of about 96 members that meets once a year,” additional opportunities. Students can intern program. Include members of the he says. “Our career cluster subcommittees with local veterinary clinics. Engineering education, employer, government, meet twice more a year. That’s where we hear students can intern with Raytheon and Texas and civil communities and use both what the students want and what the Instruments. Two local television network business community says it needs.” affiliates offer internships, as does the Frisco their experience and leadership to Today, the school has a business or industry cable channel, where students can program a build the best educational system partner for every career cluster offered, two-hour block. Next year, Cunningham plans possible. providing guest speakers and expert resources internships for the center’s first class of for teachers. animation II and culinary arts II students, The school’s major accomplishment was among others. 3434 Making the College Connection I’m an educator, but I don’t know enough Thanks in large part to the school board about the many details of the offerings in and Frisco ISD planners who chose to erect CTE to help me make sound decisions on dea the CTE Center across from Collin County how we should do this in our district. So Community College, the two schools

they told me what they wanted to do and I have developed a symbiotic relationship, together we worked out the details.” coordinating their courses to allow students The system also allows counselors to the best access to postsecondary education. g take a more supervisory role in students’ When Collin College received a grant from the National Science Foundation to career planning. Because helping students become a green convergence center, the with career plans takes much more time Bi CTE Center aligned its Computer than just having them choose courses they Technology, Information Technology, and want to take, students work with their For Lake Travis High School in Austin, Engineering programs of study to bridge CTE teachers to create their plans and the with those offered at the college. counselors examine and approve them. If partnering with local and regional businesses “Now that Collin College has an there is an obvious problem with a plan, a is vital to enabling business leaders to learn articulation agreement with the University counselor can meet what today’s students are capable of upon of North Texas,” with the student graduation. Cunningham points one-on-one. “Our partners show the students the out, “theoretically, relevance of what they are learning in the our students can Hard Work combine the credits classroom,” says Ryan Merritt, Coordinator of they earn here and Brings Success college and career readiness for the Lake Travis those at the college The results speak for ISD. “It’s really important that kids are able to themselves. and receive bachelor see that it’s not just the teacher saying that the “The last three of science degrees in curriculum is important, but also members of Information years, our CTE the industry.” Technology after students have only one year at the consistently ranked With six concentrated institutes of study University of North at or above the serving more than 1,940 students, Lake Travis Students in Frisco ISD’s Career and Technical Education Texas. As you can district average on High School works with a variety of businesses, imagine, that is a (CTE) Center have access to a state-of-the-art television studio, where they develop skills such as video editing TAKS [Texas including nationally recognized engineering huge cost savings for and interviewing techniques. Assessment of and high-tech firms, as well as local banks, the student.” Knowledge and police departments, and fire departments. It’s The center is currently working with Skills] scores,” says Cunningham proudly. Texas Woman’s University to create a dual- a reciprocal relationship, says Merritt, in which “But the big news is that our students have credit program to get students into the everyone learns. university’s medical microbiology/ earned more commended results than the “Many of our partner representatives, prior to students not enrolled in the CTE Center pathophysiology program. working on our advisory boards, may not have classes. Our graduation rates are higher and “We sought out the colleges to see what entered a high school classroom in 20, 30, even they could do for our kids, and they sought our dropout rates are lower. An amazing 93 40 years,” he says. “We like to show them what us out because they wanted more students percent of our approximately 450 seniors in their buildings. And it’s worked out report that they are going to college. Four a 21st-century high school has to offer students wonderfully,” says Cunningham. percent report they will enroll in a trade in regard to college and career preparation.” school, and 3 percent either are undecided In the classroom, the school has used its Giving Faculty Control or expect to go straight into careers with Business, Finance and Marketing Institute to With all this activity, Cunningham has also industry certifications they earned here at design a curriculum that prepares students for put emphasis on making it easier for CTE the center.” postsecondary business schools. And thanks to teachers and counselors to document what the success of the institute, the school has seen can seem like never-ending changes to the programs of study. many students take an interest in the Marketing In addition to meeting with the CTE FOR MORE INFORMATION career cluster. As a result, the school’s DECA Frisco ISD, Frisco, Texas advisory council subcommittees several Dr. Wes Cunningham, Principal/Curriculum Director, organization now boasts 175 student members, times a year, and meeting two days a year Career & Technical Education Center including a handful of students that placed in for programs of study reviews, teachers are mail to: [email protected], the top five in DECA’s national competition in closely involved with new curricula. www.friscoisd.org 2008. Cunningham explains, “I told them, 3535 Counselor to Counselor Experience on the Air

logistics industry at Sysco Foods,” Rivas says. “When the product first comes into the distribution center, there’s a process for storage, and they have to organize everything they are going to send out later,” reports Rivas. “There are people on the computers and workers scanning products and trying to get the shipments out. The trucks are traveling from eight at night until early morning. And everyone is checking to see if the product is okay.” A subsequent episode featured the Byron Martin Advanced Technology Center and the classes the center offers, which are as varied as accounting and firefighting; another show showcased an opportunity at South Plains College to earn credit while in high school and highlighted other college prep activities. “There’s a lot of work that goes into making the show,” says Rivas. “There’s nearly 15 hours of filming, and they cut that into 30 minutes for the actual show. It’s really time-consuming, but it ends up looking great.”

Extracurricular Activities Alex Rivas, a senior at Lubbock High School, is one of several students that When not shooting the show, Rivas works on other projects at guest hosts “When Can You Start?” a television program broadcasted on a special LEDA, compiling data, organizing files, and performing other Lubbock ISD television channel. intern duties four hours a day, two or three days per week. Then there are the senior’s activities as student body secretary tudents across Texas are exploring their career cluster at Lubbock High School, president of Young Entrepreneurs of options through AchieveTexas, but senior Alexandria “Alex” Lubbock, district vice president SRivas is exploring them on television, as guest co-host of FBLA, and co-president of CLOSERCLOSER for “When Can You Start?” The show (www.whencanyoustart. the Spanish Club. EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION tv) is broadcast on the Lubbock ISD channel and will include So when is there time for EXEX several student guest hosts throughout the year. Each half-hour homework? episode will feature a different career cluster and discuss the Rivas laughs and says, Everyone knows economic many positions possible in that cluster. The show is the result of “Sometimes I’ll do it during times are tough. You may have a partnership between Lubbock ISD and the Lubbock Economic lunch or at the dinner table at a promising relationship with a Development Alliance (LEDA). night. If I’m on a treadmill, I’ll business that wants to hire your “The main focus is to set up a book in front of me students for paid internships— promote job opportunities while I’m exercising.” but the business has had layoffs and show kids all the things Our first shoot lasted from noon And while you would think recently. Your partners can’t they can do here in until almost 9 at night. It was a that with all the television justify bringing in a student Lubbock,” says Rivas, who long day, but a lot of fun and I exposure, she might be looking after having let an experienced was offered the position after learned all about the logistics at a career in the Arts, A/V and dedicated worker go. One making a presentation to industry at Sysco Foods. Technology and solution: Seek sponsors in LEDA as part of a Future Alex Rivas, senior, Communications cluster, Rivas the community willing to help Business Leaders of America Lubbock High School actually wants to be a dentist. supplement all or a portion of (FBLA) project. “I find science interesting the students’ wages. Work with and I want to have my own your local chamber of commerce Transportation, Distribution and Logistics clinic,” she says. “I’d love to and local workforce solutions While shooting episodes of the show, Rivas has had the travel to foreign countries and groups (funded by the Texas opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of career clusters, one of help people without enough Workforce Commission), who which was Transportation, Distribution and Logisitics. money take care of their can help find willing partners or “Our first shoot lasted from noon until almost nine at night. It teeth.” otherwise find funds available for was a long day, but I had a lot of fun and I learned all about the student development.

36 Manufacturing and Finance Partners Turning Devastation into Hope hen Hurricane Ike hit Hitchcock in 2008, it tore lives, homes, and Wdreams apart in this small bedroom community west of Galveston. And although Mary Wagener, Counselor at Hitchcock High School (HHS) in the Hitchcock ISD, recognizes that she cannot resurrect loved ones or bring back homes, she, her colleagues, and the more fortunate in their community can help retrieve some of the dreams that were destroyed for dozens of students in their care. A Title I school with 340 kids, HHS serves a low-income community that was devastated by Ike and is struggling to recover. “We have a lot of single-parent families, and a lot of grandparents raising children; some students are homeless,” says Wagener. “A lot of parents worked in Galveston and lost their jobs; some are just getting back into their homes.” (Properity Bank and Texas First Bank) to “He probably would have quit school,” Going Above and Beyond offer internships in a range of positions, says Dillon. “I took him under my wing and Despite those setbacks, the school continues many of which fall under the Finance cluster. had him and a couple of other kids at my to welcome every partner in the surrounding Such businesses tend to additionally offer house doing work on the weekends.” community that is interested in offering college assistance to those students that have Dillon also encouraged him to enter a assistance. Two career clusters in particular interned with the company. career fair poster contest co-sponsored by are serviced well Meanwhile, teachers College of the Mainland. by HHS’s range help students apply for “He’s got the gift of gab,” says Dillon. “He of community We’ve had kids who had parents financial aid awards such wants to be a police officer, and the Texas partnerships: die and the next day they’re at as the Houston Livestock City chief of police was one of the judges. Manufacturing and school. It’s where they’re nurtured; Show and Rodeo’s The student went over before the Finance. it’s where they’re fed. It’s where Opportunity scholarship, presentations started and was talking to him In the someone knows who they are. a $15,000 scholarship and two other judges about police officers manufacturing Mary Wagener, Counselor, based on financial need, and what he wants to do. I told him that’s arena, the district Hitchcock High School and the Moody probably why he won.” partners with Foundation’s $1,000 per In fact, the student has won first place—a College of the Mainland in Galveston for year renewable scholarships, which three $500 scholarship—for the past two years. welding, one of many growing career HHS students have taken advantage of Now a senior, he plans to use the money to opportunities in the Manufacturing career recently. Also, in an effort to expose students attend the college’s police academy. cluster. To further serve Manufacturing to careers, Mike Dillon, HHS’s Automotive “It’s hard to explain sometimes,” says students, HHS also partners with a local Technology Instructor works with Wagener. “We’ve had kids who had parents underwater welding company that provides organizations that can give students hands- die and the next day they’re at school. It’s students with an exciting hands-on learning on experience outside the classroom. where they’re nurtured; it’s where they’re opportunity in which the students are fed. It’s where someone knows who they are. brought into an underwater tank to observe Extra Encouragement “We just adore these kids. It’s great fun a demonstration on underwater welding. For one at-risk student, who the district seeing them discover who they are. One of For students in the Finance career wishes to remain unnamed, a teacher’s extra my missions is let them know that they can cluster, HHS partners with two local banks work and caring attitude were life-changing. compete with anybody, anywhere.”

37 Partnership Spotlight Seniors Helping Seniors

akwood Manor, a nursing home in in the demanding class; the course has Vidor, is where young and old come maintained a 100 percent passing rate for Self-Assessment Checklist Otogether in partnership. the past 15 years. Located near Vidor High School (VHS) in the Vidor ISD, the facility welcomes Caring At Work Measure how well your school dozens of high school seniors throughout Thanks to the CNA certification, Vidor’s or district is implementing the school to assist in residents’ daily care. nursing home partnership serves as a great Such activities include everything from learning experience for students interested Step Seven—Build Strong helping seniors get up and down out of in the Health Science career cluster. Partnerships—by checking chairs to assisting them when they brush However, in addition to serving Health off below the efforts it is their teeth. The program has been a part of Science, the partnership also serves those already making. the VHS Career and Technical Education students that are interested in going into (CTE) program for 16 years and was a personal care services under the Human ❏❏ Both formal and informal natural fit for the school’s AchieveTexas Services career cluster. Whether the student partnerships operate at all initiative. ultimately decides to go into nursing or to levels for the purpose of become a personal trainer, his or her helping all students succeed. Learning Basic Skills experience at a nursing home provides a ❏❏ Clear vision for local system “It’s one of the higher-quality homes in this great training ground for those who are has been formed with area,” says Suzanne Haley, VHS’s Health interested in pursuing one of the many Science Technology Teacher, “and it’s careers in Human Services that requires community input. about a block from the school, so it’s very them to work one-on-one with people. ❏❏ Quality of partnerships convenient.” “They become has increased. In the very attached to ❏ program, 26 There are 37 basic nursing skills they have residents, and the ❏ Quantity of partnerships students intern in to learn, such as communication, giving residents become has increased. weekly rotation bed baths, taking vital signs, feeding attached to them, ❏❏ Business partners advise, patients, brushing teeth, and denture care. at Oakwood too,” says Haley. “I strategize, support, assess, These are all skills they have to master to Manor, had four boys last and assist with career cluster take the state exam to become a certified year, and the shadowing a implementation. nurse. Those nursing assistant [CNA]. residents just adored students have Suzanne Haley, Health Science them. Residents and ❏❏ Representatives from all spent their Technology Teacher, Vidor High School staff members were industry, education, and sophomore and amazed at their community sectors participate. junior years in caring personalities. ❏❏ Regional leadership for each the classroom learning the skills they need On the holidays, we bring gifts to Oakwood. career cluster initiative is for the internship. Some of the students even go on their own “There are 37 basic nursing skills they time just to visit with the residents.” evident. have to learn,” says Haley, “such as By the end of the year, Haley observes, ❏❏ Business partnerships communication, giving bed baths, taking you can see the change in each student that related to local clusters are vital signs, feeding patients, brushing teeth, has participated. an established part of the and denture care. These are all skills they “It’s like day and night,” she says. education system. have to master to take the state exam to “They’re petrified before they go in, because become a certified nursing assistant they’re afraid of hurting someone. After a [CNA].” while, they get confident and relaxed.The In the end, students have earned a CNA residents help them also, telling them if they certification that could have cost them are not doing something right, because $1,500 at a local nursing school. But they’ve had these things done for them a perhaps it is what they learn about hundred times before.” themselves that truly pushes them to excel

38 Step 8: Offer Professional Development Partners Provide Professional Development n a typical year, Michael Rodriguez, effective literacy in the content rich Director of the Upper Rio Grande College secondary classroom; preparing students ITech-Prep Youth Consortium (URG) with disabilities for postsecondary education; in El Paso, provides free professional seamless transitions and student success development to administrators, counselors, through educational partnerships; and many and academic and Career and Technical others. The conference brings in Education (CTE) instructors in 21 ISDs representatives of Career and Technical across his six-county West Texas region. Student Organizations (CTSOs)—such as Like 25 other College Tech Prep consortia SkillsUSA, FFA, DECA, and others—to across Texas, URG offers a variety of low- educate the educators on programs that cost or no-cost courses on hot topics such as students can participate in, but for which career awareness, application updates, and they need teacher sponsors. articulation agreements, as well as courses Representatives from colleges and running the gamut of CTE. universities offer information on programs “We try to offer as many services as we can of study available through their campuses without having to charge anyone anything,” and on articulated and dual-credit courses says Rodriguez. “All we ask is that faculty available at the high school level. They also take advantage of it.” inform teachers about classes that have the Like its sister consortia, URG is supported potential to be offered as articulated or dual- with Carl D. Perkins grant funds, which are credit courses, and what is required to make distributed each year by the Texas Higher them available to students. Ysleta ISD’s Career and Technical Education Education Coordinating Board to College “A lot of teachers don’t realize these (CTE) Center houses a Automotive Technology Tech Prep grant applicants. Rodriguez courses—and many others out there—offer program that allows students like Anthony spends the year working diligently with his curriculum and resources free,” Rodriguez Trejo, a Riverside High School senior, to get region’s schools to determine what training says. “All teachers have to do is call an 800 hands-on experience working on automobiles. is needed, then brings that training to each number or go to a website and order the district. It’s a big job for the small team of workbooks, and that curricula becomes a Step Synopsis three at URG, but what they do saves schools supplement to their State Board of hundreds of dollars per course, tens of Education-approved curriculum.” Success for your AchieveTexas thousands of dollars each year. Perhaps most importantly, URG offers “Most of the training we provide can cost initiative will require substantial [elsewhere] anywhere from $125 to $500 per professional development training training plus travel expenses,” he says. “So for all your staff. This will start with it’s a great deal for the schools, because aside from the small fee [$60] we charge for the several levels of AchieveTexas annual conference, everything we do training for most faculty and continue throughout the year is 100 percent free.” with teacher training for individual Tomorrow’s Workforce Today subject areas, periodic updates on URG’s “Tomorrow’s Workforce Today” curricula, and more. Each district is conference, held each August, is the kickoff expected to create a professional designed to familiarize schools with the training and services that will be available development program that assists year-round. schools in the administration of The list of learning opportunities at the conference is impressive: Information on the AchieveTexas and concentrates on labor market trends throughout the state and Ysleta ISD’s students in one of the district’s delivering 21st-century knowledge, by region, county, and city; engaging Automotive Technology courses work with instructor skills, and abilities. students to improve their academic success; Tony Combs (second from left) on a car engine. designing five-year plans in five minutes;

39 training on school accountability, a vital “We find that by helping move the topic as the educational requirements conversation about CTE along that

change year to year. teachers will start to talk and realize that dea “The point is to let ISDs know what’s the only difference between core

required of the districts and campuses, curriculum and CTE curriculum is the I because a lot of times teachers don’t know vocabulary.” what’s expected of them,” Rodriguez says. In addition to their ability to bring core and CTE teachers together, ESCs are also g Education Service Center (ESC) excellent resources because of the plethora ESCs provide professional development of information and data to which ESC

and technical assistance to the school employees have access. To better facilitate Bi districts and charter schools within their the delivery of that information, White particular regions.Take the Amarillo says that ESCs must be flexible so that the ESC, for example, which has been busy in services they provide can be individualized recent years pushing districts in the region to specific districts. In the Texas capitol, implementation to integrate relevant CTE classes with “There are several different avenues we of AchieveTexas is under way, and for Austin rigorous core academics coursework. can take in terms of professional ISD’s Executive Director for CTE, Annette “We work hard with teachers, development,” White says. “It really just Gregory, it’s quite a learning experience. At administrators, and counselors to help depends on the needs of the district.” this stage of the game, she’s focused on guide them to best practices,” says Mindy understanding the process for change and White, Education Specialist, CTE, for the Understanding AchieveTexas Amarillo ESC in Region XVI. “And it all Throughout the year, URG will arrange providing professional development at all starts with dialogue.” for districts to receive training through the levels. The result of this dialogue, says White, AchieveTexas framework as well, which “The state used to offer more than 600 CTE is that students begin to think “outside of Rodriguez strongly recommends. courses,” she says. “Those have become 190 the box” about programs of study (POS), “AchieveTexas is not mandatory,” he new or revised courses.” a process that begins during one of the concedes, “but we highly recommend that That change requires making sure everyone ESC’s popular CTE all districts use the workshops. The AchieveTexas in the district has the AchieveTexas materials, Many counselors don’t realize workshops are held framework because it’s information on the crosswalks between old that depending on the ISD, part of at the regional already standardized courses and new, and the links for more their salary is based on Perkins service center in and approved by TEA. information. It means meetings at the district money and they are required by Amarillo and are Just fill in the blanks law to provide CTE counseling. level with all the stakeholders and individually conducted upon the with your local with each of 14 high school campuses to request of the Michael Rodriguez, Director, information and you’re districts themselves. Upper Rio Grande College ready to go. answer questions and troubleshoot before the From there, White Tech-Prep Youth Consortium “In a world of 2010 school year begins. says that one of the education that doesn’t “We won’t be implementing this program; most important make sense sometimes,” we’re here to facilitate the process,” Gregory steps to success for Amarillo is the ESC’s says Rodriguez, “AchieveTexas makes sense, points out. “The schools will be implementing, practice of sitting down and working one- it’s the forms and the function and the so they have to be extremely involved in the on-one with districts to help improve framework we need. If we use that their overall approach to implementing structure, things are easier. And I’m a firm process and know it should work.” and maintaining POS through the believer in working smarter, not harder.” Her message to other ISDs planning to AchieveTexas initiative. implement this progressive program? “ESCs provide teachers and counselors “Make sure you have all the right people at the tools they need to get students to look the table,” she says. “The campus principals, at the many different POS that are FOR MORE INFORMATION the academy directors, campus people in available,” says White. Upper Rio Grande College Tech-Prep Youth Consortium • El Paso, Texas leadership roles, CTE department instructors, White says that ESCs typically prefer Michael Rodriguez, Director districts and campuses to send teams of mail to: [email protected], core department heads, and counselors— teachers, from both core and CTE classes, www.careersprep.com not just the lead counselors—all of them. so they can work together to make Mindy White, Education Specialist, CTE Teachers will need to be asked what resources connections. mail to: [email protected], http://www.esc16.net and professional development they need.” “That approach tends to get some crucial conversations started,” White says.

40 The Teacher Experience Small Schools, Huge Opportunities

or a teacher working in With the Vision 2020 grant, Motley teachers a K–12 school with 185 will soon begin training to become facilitators of Fstudents in the remote online courses using the Texas Virtual School area of Northwest Texas, you Network “teachers of record” option for courses might think there would be few in the network’s catalog. Teachers eventually will chances for quality professional be able to submit their own courses for development. That’s where approval, and any school in Texas will be able to Motley County ISD would prove take advantage of them. you wrong. The district’s tight- “Technology is a godsend for all of our rural knit K–12 school has burgeoned schools because we can’t afford all the Advanced into a bounty of opportunity Placement, foreign language, and other teachers thanks to some innovative we need for our students,” says Cox. “We have thinking and a dedicated staff. to share teachers between the schools.” “Our Program Director, Dr. Cathy Morton, helped us form a Staying Up To Date seven-school technology With the help of other grants, Cox has received consortium with our her Cisco networking certification, as well as neighboring communities that training in Web design, cyber safety, and other operates almost as one district,” technology essentials. Combined with the says Shelley Cox, Motley’s Technology knowledge she gains through state and national Coordinator. “When we conferences, this training CLOSERCLOSER apply for grants, we do it as a ensures that she stays up to EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION group. Because of her Technology is a godsend for all date on products, like those EXEX direction, we’ve obtained of our rural schools because we offered by Adobe, services, some wonderful grants, can’t afford all the Advanced and skills such as blogging which have created excellent Placement, foreign language and podcasting. Educators sometimes professional development teachers, and other teachers Morton has also feel hesitant to contact opportunities.” we need for our students. coordinated a round robin businesspeople to ask Those grants, which Shelley Cox, professional development them to provide school recently included $222,000 Technology Coordinator, program within the staff with professional from the Texas Education Motley County ISD consortium in which staff development opportunities, Agency’s Vision 2020 gather at one of the seven such as externships or program, are bringing a level of technology local schools to learn from guest instructors. tours. To overcome this training to Motley and its sister ISDs that would “As a small, one-school district, we can feel fear, remember that the make any big city school jealous. inferior because we are so isolated,” says Cox. businesses also benefit. “But with Dr. Morton’s direction and the Employers are ensuring that Technological Connections technology grants, we have access to anything new graduates understand Through the school’s interactive television any other teacher in the state has access to. We what kind of employee they network, teachers and students connect with don’t get in a rut, because technology keeps us are seeking. And providing other schools for special courses, such as networked with other teachers in our content for the betterment of technology applications classes, college courses, areas. education locally raises the or school board training, without making the “I taught for 13 years in 5A schools, and I feel businesses’ profiles and 90-mile drive to their Region 17 Education I’ve had more opportunities for professional generates goodwill in the Service Center. Three of the district teachers development here at Motley than I did at the community. When calling, completed four graduate courses for certification larger schools.” you are offering them via interactive video and the Internet. an opportunity they will welcome.

41 Counselor to Counselor Professional Development for All hen Irving ISD in Irving began restructuring in an effort to meet WAchieveTexas objectives, the role of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director, Shawn Blessing, became central to the hundreds of teachers, counselors, and administrators who would bear the responsibility of bringing this fresh new way of learning to their students. Three years later, the district is still incorporating new classes and hiring new teachers as it faces more curriculum modifications in 2010. That means training, training, and more training so that staff members can keep up with the complex changes and make the most of all the new resources available.

Ongoing Development Reaching beyond the summer professional Angela Warr, an Engineering Instructor at Nimitz High School in the Irving ISD, works with students development conferences at which Citlali Sierra (left) and Mayra Valencia (right) on a computer software engineering program. Teachers AchieveTexas was presented, Blessing has like Warr work hard to stay up-to-date on new software and other technological advancements within the implemented a thorough professional career clusters in which they teach. development program that reaches out to counselors, administrators, and academic teachers, as well as CTE instructors. Extra Training which in 2009 included an industry tour of “At the campus level, professional Other options for professional development the Microsoft Technology Center, the development for teachers is ongoing,” says include collaborative teaming, long-range headquarters for information technology Blessing. “Some of the professional development planning, advisory board training, and solutions provider NEC America, and Aviall, is required of all CTE teachers, such as strategies using career coaching technology. provider of aftermarket supply-chain for serving the nontraditional student and “We offer both beginning and advanced management services for aerospace. providing equal opportunities for enrollment. Kuder training for career guidance,” says The format allowed teachers to view state- But they also have the option to participate in Blessing. “We have a full curriculum for of-the-art equipment and technology and professional learning communities and book grades seven through 12 which focuses on ask questions of industry professionals. studies, where teachers discuss books such as career guidance that teaches how to They were given time to network, and, as a Grown Up Digital [by Don Tapscott] and make incorporate career guidance tools into the result, several of those professionals offered suggestions as to how they might incorporate classes.” to help with partner-based instruction. what they’ve learned to help schools better meet Teachers are also encouraged to All the training is showing its value, says the district’s strategic plan.” participate in summer industry training, Blessing, in curricular aptitude and in Much of the professional development personal satisfaction. offered takes place on an annual basis and, “Our goal,” she says, “is to have highly although optional, is well attended. Two days of We have great leaders among qualified teachers in every classroom who Exchange Day training focus on instructional our teachers. I think can teach students about a given industry in strategies, working with clusters, and other providing this training and a relevant manner and help them achieve at matters of instruction. Training in Tech Prep requesting their input helps their highest level. and community college articulation their leadership ability shine. “And the teachers like it! We have great agreements, programs of study, and creation of Shawn Blessing, CTE Director, leaders among our teachers. I think Texas Achievement Plans (TAPs) is required at Irving ISD providing this training and requesting their each campus. input helps their leadership ability shine.”

42 Partnership Spotlight Getting Teachers Outside the Classroom elevision shows such as CSI, Grey’s write lesson plans incorporating what they Anatomy, and Without a Trace make learned. Self-Assessment Checklist Tscience look like the most interesting After the school received an Investment subject on earth. Capital Fund grant through the Texas So why do so many kids practically fall Education Agency for the externship Measure how well your school or asleep in science class? Too often, student program, a new idea was born to get kids district is implementing step Eight— can’t see how the class relates to real life. even more excited about learning. Offer Professional Development—by That’s what Georgetown High School in checking off below the efforts it is the Georgetown ISD set out to change. Real Life CSI already making. “When we implemented AchieveTexas, we “Our kids love CSI,” says Davis. In the hopes didn’t restrict our teacher externships to of further developing that interest, Davis ❏❏ Educators are actively involved CTE,” says Gwen Davis, who oversaw the contacted Assistant Police Chief Kevin Stofle in curricula, assessments, externship program for GHS as Georgetown and he arranged for a dozen teachers to go guidance, and alignment. ISD’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) through the same training that real police Director. “We felt our CTE teachers detectives go through. ❏❏ Teachers are familiar with understood those core connections, but many “The forensics class that they [the career clusters, programs of of the academic teachers did not.” Georgetown police department] teach is study models, and the Texas Looking at the district basically physics, biology, Achievement Plan (TAP) process. data, she and her staff saw and chemistry,” she says. The teachers came back ❏❏ Counselors are familiar with that students’ weakest grades so excited. They can’t “For car wrecks, they have were in math and science, so to determine angles, career clusters, program of study wait to get back to tell models, and the TAP process. the decision was made to the students all about velocities, and why bodies concentrate on getting those what they’ve done. end up where they do. For a ❏❏ Professional development is core teachers real-world chemical spill, they have to engaging, active, and hands-on. math and science Gwen Davis figure out if it’s gas, oil, or SES Specialist, ESC 13 professional development. something else. It seemed ❏❏ Education service centers and “The first year, we sent like the perfect fit in regard Tech Prep Consortia are used for [math and science] teachers to a construction to the students’ interest and the needs of training, technical assistance, or company where they learned how to survey teachers.” resource collaboration. the land, build a foundation, [and perform] cost control, and even the geometry of Teachers In Training pitching a roof,” says Davis. The opportunity The teachers completed their for core teachers to make practical training in July 2009. Now they are CLOSERCLOSER EXAMINATIONEXAMINATION applications in a real construction taking it to the classroom, specifically EXEX environment, says Davis, has gone a long way a new forensic science lab at the to improving the in-class experience for school. The program has been so Scheduling and other tasks often keep counselors students. “Our teachers are bringing the popular in the district that plans are distracted, but some solace can be taken in the fact insight they gained from these experiences already under way for subsequent that the Internet has become a valuable career planning back to the classroom,” she says. “And as a years. information resource. In particular, students should result, students are learning that knowledge of “This year, with the support of the math and science is very important to earning principal and a different funding use the Internet version of the Occupational Outlook a career in the Architecture and Construction source, we want to try to get to Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco), America’s Career InfoNet career cluster.” different places,” says Davis. “The www.acinet.orgacinet, Texas Industry Cluster Initiative city has committed to let us use the www.twc.state.tx.us/news/ticluster.html, and Labor Getting Excited About Learning utility and water treatment facilities Market Career Information (LMCI) www.cdr.state.tx.us. In another externship, science teachers next year to learn real-world (For a complete list of career resources, visit worked in the local hospital’s pathology lab, applications of environmental where one teacher dissected lymph nodes sciences. The teachers came back so www.AchieveTexas.org.) The Web can also be used to for a breast cancer patient in surgery and excited. They can’t wait to get back connect students with local employers for job shadowing, helped determine how much of the breast to tell the students all about what internships, mentoring, and other experiences. to remove. When each group returns, they they’ve done.” 43 What Does That Mean? This glossary defines key terms related to the AchieveTexas initiative

AchieveTexas: the name for Texas’ college Career and Technical Student Education Service Centers: 20 Texas and career preparation initiative. Organizations (CTSOs): curricular centers that provide technical assistance organizations for students that offer activities and professional development support to Articulation agreements: formal agreements and competitive events related to particular educators. between or among educational organizations careers. (high schools, technical colleges, four-year Professional development: training for colleges, and universities) that align courses Career awareness: age-appropriate educators and educational support staff that and majors from one educational institution to career guidance activities for kindergarten help them stay informed about current trends, another in a way that allows a systematic and through grade 5 to help students develop an issues, and best practices in education and seamless student transition without loss of understanding of the world of work and the their respective fields. course credit or time for the student. relationship between education and careers. Programs of study: a way of organizing the Career advancement: continuing education Career clusters: a way of organizing curricula and educational activities within a that allows adults to expand their skills and curricula, instruction, and assessment around career cluster related to a student’s specific advance in their careers. specific occupational groups (for example, academic and career goal. Information Technology or Health Science) that offers students core academics, coursework Seamless system: a system established for related to specific occupations, and extended the delivery of a curriculum, program, initiative, learning experiences. etc., that promotes efficiency by reducing duplication and providing a logical progression Frisco ISD junior Priscilla Villanueva practices pulse checking during a health occupations course in the Career concentration: academic and of activities, courses, etc., that meet the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center. technical activities provided in high school requirements of two or more educational “I took this class to see if I would be interested in enabling students to follow Texas Achievement organizations. nursing as I want to work in the healthcare industry in Plans(TAPS) and complete college and career the future,” she says. “It’s been an amazing class.” preparation. Targeted Industry Clusters: Six industry clusters that have been identified as high- Career exploration: career guidance demand, high-growth, with high-wage jobs activities provided in middle school enabling and are the economic engines of Texas. students to identify their career interests and abilities and explore careers to facilitate their Tech Prep: a way to start a college technical college and career decision-making process. major in high school. In a Tech Prep program, you begin your course of study in high school Career guidance: structured developmental and continue in a community or technical experiences presented systematically from college. The result is a certificate or associate kindergarten through grade 12 that help degree in a career field. A key component of students analyze and evaluate abilities, skills, Tech Prep is program articulation, which is a and interests. planned process linking educational institutions and educational experiences to assist students Career portfolio: a collection of student work in making a smooth transition from one level indicating progress made in subjects, activities, of education to another without experiencing or programs. In a career cluster system, delays or duplication in learning. portfolios are often used to assess student performance in extended learning experiences. Texas Achievement Plan (TAP): an educational plan suggesting the high school Dual credit: credit given at both the high courses a student should take to prepare school and college for college-level courses successfully for graduation and transition into taken while in high school. a profession or postsecondary educational experience. The vision for AchieveTexas is Extended learning experiences: Career that all 8th graders, in consultation with their learning and outside-the-classroom learning parents/guardians, counselors, and teachers experiences such as job shadowing, will select a career plan and create a TAP. internships, and service learning. TAPs are to be reviewed and revised at least once each school year. 44 AchieveTexas Resources Resources for building your AchieveTexas college and career program

STEP 1: Implement AchieveTexas COIN Career Targets Online STEP 7: Build Strong Partnerships www.coinedu.com AchieveTexas Created by educators for educators, COIN’s Career Governor’s Industry Cluster Initiative www.achievetexas.org Targets Online is a web-based application that gives www.twc.state.tx.us/news/ticluster.html This website provides information and resources to help students step-by-step instructions on career planning and The State of Texas has identified six industry clusters schools redesign their programs for the 21st century. is designed to help them learn more about their career that will better position it to compete nationally and interests. internationally for jobs of the 21st century. This site Career Cluster Initiative addresses the strategic plan, defines the clusters, and gives www.careerclusters.org Kuder the rationale for selection. This site disseminates information on the 16 federally www.kuder.com defined career clusters. Kuder, Inc. provides Internet-based tools and resources Texas Workforce Commission www.twc.state.tx.us Texas Education Agency that aid students and adults in planning for their education and careers. The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the www.tea.state.tx.us state government agency charged with overseeing and The state’s education website is the place to keep up with O*NET providing workforce development services to employers the latest developments in Texas schools. www.online.onetcenter.org and job seekers of Texas. For employers, TWC offers O*NET provides full information on occupations, recruiting, retention, training and retraining, and STEP 2: Span All Grades including compensation, employment prospects, and skill outplacement services as well as valuable information Texas High School Project matching for students. Information on compensation is on labor law and labor market statistics. For job seekers, www.thsp.org available on a state-by-state basis. TWC offers career development information, job search The Texas High School Project is a $261 million public- resources, training programs, and, as appropriate, U.S. Department of Labor unemployment benefits. private initiative committed to increasing graduation and Occupational Outlook Handbook college enrollment rates in every Texas community. www.bls.gov/oco Tech Prep This nationally recognized resource offers information on www.techpreptexas.org STEP 3: Implement TAPs job responsibilities, earnings, working conditions, and job The Tech Prep website contains a host of useful website America’s Career InfoNet prospects for the future. links and other resources to help students develop their www.acinet.org/acinet career plans. Tech Prep differs from other Career and Using Internet career information resources like STEP 5: Build Seamless Connections Technical Education programs in that all Tech Prep programs are college-preparatory, designed to prepare America’s Career InfoNet, students can take greater Own Your Own Future responsibility for their own career research and planning. students to continue in a related program of study at a www.OwnYourOwnFuture.com two-year college. Program of Study Models A student outreach campaign to encourage Texas youth www.achievetexas.org to stay in school and graduate. The website is designed to STEP 8: Offer Professional Development This website shows students recommended courses for show teens that graduating from high school is the first a particular program of study, what program of study step toward college and career. Texas Counseling Association is appropriate during postsecondary education, and www.txca.org/tca/Default.asp Reality Check The Texas Counseling Association is dedicated to recommended extended learning and extracurricular www.lmci.state.tx.us/realitycheck opportunities. providing leadership, advocacy, and education to This site allows students to search for careers starting with promote the growth and development of the counseling the expenses they need to cover, the salaries they want to STEP 4: Enhance Guidance profession and those who are served. Headquartered make, or their career choices. in Austin, the organization and its programs can help America’s Career InfoNet empower counselors to lead students to the best career www.acinet.org/acinet STEP 6: Establish Extended Learning choices available to them. This is the place to search for occupational information, Texas CTSOs industry information, and state-specific labor market information. Business Professionals of America (BPA) • www.texasbpa.com Bridges www.bridges.com DECA, Texas Association • www.texasdeca.org Bridges provides software-based and online education planning, career exploration, and high school/college test Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America prep resources. (FCCLA) • www.texasfccla.org Career Cruising Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) www.careercruising.com • www.txfbla.org Made up of a collection of online career guidance and Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) • www. planning tools, Career Cruising helps students find the texashste.com AchieveTexas right career by giving them a chance to explore education and training options, as well as build a portfolio. SkillsUSA • www.txskillsusa.org Implementation Guide Texas FFA Association • www.texasffa.org CareerOneStop This 24-page, color Implementation Guide provides www.careeronestop.org Texas Technology Student Association (TSA) valuable information about AchieveTexas that can CareerOneStop is a U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored • www.texastsa.org be used by administrators, counselors, teachers, website that offers career resources and workforce business and industry representatives, and parents information to job seekers, students, businesses, and at the local level. For more information or to order workforce professionals to foster talent development in a a copy of the guide, visit www.achievetexas.org. global economy. Texas Career Clusters Texas’ 16 career clusters are based on those developed by the U.S. Department of Education. Schools and districts may adopt these or develop their own clusters based on the local economy.

Processing, production, Executing governmental functions Processing materials into distribution, financing, and at the local, state, and federal levels. intermediate or final products. development of agricultural commodities and natural resources.

Providing diagnostic and Performing marketing activities to therapeutic services, health reach organizational objectives. information, support services, Designing, managing, building, and biotechnology research and and maintaining the built development. environment.

Performing scientific research and professional technical services. Managing restaurants and Creating, exhibiting, performing, other food services, lodging, and publishing multimedia attractions, recreation events, content. and travel-related services. Managing movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail, and water.

Organizing, directing, and Providing for families and evaluating functions essential to serving human needs. productive business operations.

1701 North Congress Ave. Austin, TX 78701-1494 Designing, supporting, and Providing education, training, and managing hardware, software, 512-463-9581 (phone) related learning support services. multimedia, and systems 512-463-8057 (fax) integration. www.AchieveTexas.org

It is the policy of the Texas Education Agency not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap in its Career and Technical Education programs, services, or activities.

Planning finances and investments; Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or managing banking, insurance, and Providing legal, public safety, referred to within the AchieveTexas in Action Best Practices business finances. protective, and homeland Guide are the property of their respective trademark holders. security services. These trademark holders are not affiliated with AchieveTexas. They do not sponsor or endorse AchieveTexas, or any AchieveTexas program or publication. Opinions expressed in the AchieveTexas in Action Best Practices Guide are those of the individuals to whom they are attributed and are not necessarily those of AchieveTexas, the Texas Education Agency, Texas Tech University, or Texas Independent School Districts (ISDs) in this booklet.