October 2016 Business Education Update

Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation

Message from Kelli

Now with several weeks into the new school year, routines are starting to settle in. At the Iowa Department of Education, we are open for business all year long which gives us the opportunity to “catch up” while summer break is upon us. We are now full steam ahead to help Iowa schools, administrators and educators. I’m here to help--please contact me if you have any questions. Kelli.diemer@iowa.gov

Iowa Business Education Association Convention – Holiday Inn on Merle Hay Rd. Urbandale (October 23-24)

Over 40 breakout sessions, a pre-conference Leadership Workshop, free ASK certification testing (must pre-register), great keynote speaker, updates on the Iowa CTE Redesign bill and Perkins reauthorization…too much to miss! Click here for more information. See attached flyer also. Register today - $130 on or before October 9; $150 after October 9.

Time is Running Out to Honor the Deserving

Are you sure that you don’t know a business person who deserves to be recognized for their Service to Business Education? Are you sure that you don’t know a supervisor, etc. who deserves to be recognized as Distinguished Service to Business? Are you sure you or a colleague shouldn’t be recognized for a masterful project or superb leadership? (Hoffman Award) This is the LAST CALL to get these nominations sent in to Lois Roth. Click here for more information or to make a nomination. Lois Roth, IBEA Awards Chairperson

Iowa Work-Based Learning Student Logo Contest

The Iowa Work-Based Learning Coordinators Organization is sponsoring a competition for secondary students to design a logo that represents the IWBL Organization. Official rules and contest information is available here.  

BizInnovator Competition – deadline mid November

Pitch It to Win It! To support and encourage the entrepreneurial mindset in youth, BizInnovator sponsors a competition each spring and fall. More contest information is available here.

Secondary CTE Redesign – Rules

Rules have been written for Division I – Career Guidance. As guidance documents are written, the expectation is that school districts will use this academic year as transition to have their career guidance process in place by the start of the next academic year. Rules are currently being drafted for the Division II – CTE Redesign. The proposed timeline is that the Iowa Administrative Rules (how to implement the Bill) will be available for public comment in October. In November, these rules will be presented to the State Board of Education for approval. After that the rules will go to the Legislative Rules Committee for review and approval. Rules should be in place by May 2017.

Secondary CTE Redesign – Service Areas

The six CTE services areas are maintained but revised to align with the national Career Clusters® framework. The service areas will include agriculture, food, and natural resources; arts, communications, and information systems; applied sciences, technology, engineering, and manufacturing, including transportation, distribution, logistics, architecture, and construction; health sciences; human services; and business, finance, marketing, and management. Programs in each of these service areas must be a minimum of three units and must be taught by a career and technical education teacher. Go to CTE Redesign for more information.

Perkins Reauthorization

Although the US House passed the Perkins reauthorization quickly, the US Senate has now postponed the vote. Go to ACTE Policy Watch to find out the latest information.

Iowa’s Partnership with MBA Research

One of our best-kept secrets is the statewide partnership we have with the not-for-profit association of states called MBA Research. Iowa is one of 29 states that work together to strengthen business and marketing education programs nationwide, with a particular focus on curriculum and assessment. I hope you'll spend a few minutes checking them out at www.MBAResearch.org. There are two key things to find and do, like:
1) Register for the Perspectives newsletter and
2) Register for State's Connection (Iowa).
You'll find links for both in the Quick Links section (top, left) of the MBA Research website. Check them out and spread the word…no more secrets!

Work-Based Learning is a Common Theme in Proposed Legislation

Whether it is the proposed Perkins reauthorization or the CTE Redesign bill, work-based learning is seen as a major component in quality career and technical education programs.

Consider how you involve business and industry in your teaching -

  • Do business speakers come into your classroom to share their knowledge? 
  • Do you plan tours or events where business and industry representatives can interact with your students? 
  • Have you ever organized job shadows or short term internships where students could be at a work site? 

Consider getting help with these ideas by contacting your regional Intermediary Network. These individuals work with business and industry and make connections to help you expand work-based learning opportunities for your students. From October 2013 until June 2015, Intermediaries have made more than 77,000 work-based learning opportunities available to students across Iowa. Find your regional Intermediary Network contact here.

Important Dates for your Calendar:

Remember the CTSOs…

Career and Technical Student Organizations can be an important piece in developing a strong Business/Marketing program. Explore these organizations to find out more about what they offer students:

See past Business Education Updates (September 2016 or later), go to Business Education IDOE Website.

 

Kelli Diemer
Business and Marketing Education Consultant
Iowa Intermediary Network/Iowa Work-Based Learning
Bureau of Career and Technical Education
Division of Community Colleges & Workforce Preparation
515-281-3615 (office)
515-242-5988 (fax)
kelli.diemer@iowa.gov