This school year has been difficult, frustrating, and tested our patience and persistence.
I want to thank and congratulate everyone for what you have accomplished this year. The successes may seem small or even non-existent. However, it not always about the outcomes, but the journey.
A lot of lessons have been learned. They may not have been fun, but hopefully they will prove to be rewarding. As Walt Disney once said, “You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.” Let’s strive for the best and not just a visit to the dentist!
We still have about another six weeks until the school year is over. However, as the world starts to open up, there are a few more opportunities out there to explore. Check it out below!
Take care, stay safe, and have a great finish to the year!
Tim Barrett
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Updated Table C for Trade & Industry
The Table of Career and Technical Education Programs and Licenses, more commonly referred to as Table C, is a list of all Career and Technical Education programs, courses, and teacher licensure requirements for Minnesota’s program approval and data collection.
Last summer, a number of Trade & Industry (T&I) teachers from across the state, metro and Greater Minnesota, from big and little schools, who are specialists in certain program areas or generalists running an entire set of programs, reviewed and provided comments on the proposed Table changes for T&I. This work became the new Table C codes that T&I teachers will be using as part of Program Approval moving forward.
Table C is not meant to take the place of a detailed framework, but is developed in conjunction with the frameworks. The Table should be broad and flexible enough to allow districts to accurately reflect their T&I programs within the codes, but also provide enough structure so that programs can be placed within career fields, clusters, and pathways.
Programs that have already been approved in past years will still be listed under the old codes, but will be updated to the new codes as they cycle through the Program Approval process within the next five years. You can take a look at the new Table C on the Program Approval page at the MDE website.
This summer, we are putting the plan together for tackling the next steps on the frameworks. The work will lead off with those course descriptions, but will be expanding to include performance indicators, benchmarks, and sample learning targets for a number of topic areas (for example, academic foundations, safety, technical skills, etc.) Contact me at timothy.barrett@state.mn.us with any questions.
Annual Program Approval Reviews
Trade and Industry programs in three Perkins consortia—Hennepin West, Minneapolis, and Southwest Metro—are up for Program Approval renewal in 2021. All programs are approved in a five-year cycle.
Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) will begin receiving renewal application documents on June 1. DO NOT submit before June 1! If you were not able to attend one of the Program Approval training sessions held in mid-April, contact Tim Barrett to arrange for an individual meeting to discuss the process and documentation needed.
If your district will be submitting an application for a new Trade and Industry program, you may also begin submitting those materials on June 1.
MDE has developed a new program Amendment Form for submitting any program changes which occur during the years when your program is not due for program approval renewal. The form allows you to note changes in your program teaching staff, CTE courses offered, and/or the person to serve as the contact for program information. Use this form in the Fall if any of these changes take place in your program.
Don’t Forget License Renewal!
Is your CTE license or Out of Field Permission (OFP) up for renewal before the new school year? Don’t wait—get the information you need from the license agency.
Since January 1, 2018, the responsibilities carried out by the Minnesota Department of Education Licensing Division and the Board of Teaching were consolidated into the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB). For assistance with questions on new licensure, licensure renewal, licensure by portfolio, out of field permissions, and the “tiered” licensure structure—use the PELSB contact information:
Real Time Talent Minnesota Career & Technical Education Pathway Reports
Career and Technical Education Beyond 2020 – These regional labor market reports and corresponding presentations support navigating changes in local labor markets due to COVID-19, and explore how these changes may impact enrollment, industry, career advancement, and the needed programs of study by region of Minnesota.
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SCSU WBL License Option/Summer Workshops
St. Cloud State University (SCSU)'s Department of Environmental and Technological Studies offers a number of online and in-person courses to assist Trade and Industry teachers with licensure, now including courses for a work based learning endorsement.
There is also a Lab Safety workshop that will be offered July 27-29.
Please check the SCSU website for more information and to register.
3D Printing for STEM Educator Pedagogy and Workforce Preparation
On May 20, The Minnesota State Engineering Center of Excellence and select Minnesota State faculty are proud to provide an engaging and interactive FREE educator conversation and explanation to demystify 3D printing for pedagogy, workforce preparation and provide solutions for industry. Register by May 18. Check the Minnesota State website for more information.
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Trade Hub Scholarships
Delkor Systems and Ziegler CAT have added Scholarship Programs to the Trade Hub site. Check them out at the Trades Hub site. For more information on how to apply, please contact Sara Etzel at tradeshub@generations.com.
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Wallin Education Partners Scholarship Applications due in June
Wallin Education Partners has added a scholarship program for students considering a two-year college program. More information about all of their programs is available at the scholarship page on the Wallin website. Applications are due by June 1, 2021. Go to the Wallin Education Partners website for more information.
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Pool Float Design Challenge
SolidProfessor just launched a free Engineering Design Challenge for 9-12th-grade students. Students are asked to design a pool float using any CAD software. The winning student will receive a SONOS Roam portable speaker! Plus, they’ll also score a FlashForge Adventurer 3 Lite 3D printer for their school! The deadline to submit student designs is May 14.
Attention Graphic Design/Visual Communications Students!
Join the Graphic Design/Visual Communications Instructors at Mesabi Range College in Eveleth, Minn., on May 6 for a virtual meeting from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m.
They will be talking about our program that will be offered face to face or remotely fall 2021. The session is geared for 10-12th-graders interested in this career.
Contact Paul McLaughlin at P.McLaughlin@mesabirange.edu for more information and the meeting link.
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Exploring Energy Student Video and/or Essay Contest
High school juniors and seniors are invited to enter the IPAA Energy Workforce Education Center national competition. Submissions are due no later than May 21. Three winners will be announced in early June and each will win a $100 Amazon gift card. For submission details, visit the Student Entry page on their website.
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STEM Meets the Challenge of the Pandemic
STEM Meets the Challenge of the Pandemic is a FREE online educational resource highlighting the many ways that engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals make the world a better place by designing cutting-edge solutions and answering important questions during the COVID-19 pandemic. The site was designed to connect students with role models virtually, highlighting these important roles, and connecting students with those designing cutting-edge solutions, and answering important questions during the pandemic.
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Check out these additional career exploration or curriculum resources:
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Online Learning Resource Center
Check the Online Learning Resource Center (OLRC) for updates or new resources. You can also share your thoughts, questions, and additional resources at OLRCfeedback@minnstate.edu
MTEEA Facebook Page
The Minnesota Technology and Engineering Educators Association (MTEEA) also hosts an MTEEA Facebook page for teachers to ask specific questions about distance learning challenges.
Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence Teacher Facebook Page
A Minnesota State Transportation Center of Excellence Teacher Facebook page is available specifically for teachers of transportation to ask specific questions about distance learning challenges.
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Want to let folks know about a great project or new program or initiative? Know of a great resource or professional development opportunity you would like to share? Have a burning question that needs answering?
Let me know about it so I can include it in an upcoming newsletter. If you have images that go with the information, please send it along to Tim Barrett (timothy.barrett@state.mn.us).
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Professional Organizations:
- International Technology and Engineering Education Association (ITEEA) – Find more information at the ITEEA website.
- Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) – Learn more at the ACTE website.
Minnesota-Based Partner Organizations:
- Midwest Teachers of Transportation & Industrial Areas (MTTIA) – Sign up to join at the MTTIA website.
- Minnesota Technology and Engineering Education Association (MTEEA) – Get more information at the MTEEA website.
- SkillsUSA Minnesota – For more information, visit the Minnesota chapter of SkillsUSA at the SkillsUSA Minnesota website.
- Minnesota Association of Career and Technical Administrators (MACTA) – Check out how MACTA helps support CTE at the MACTA website.
Minnesota State’s Centers of Excellence
Explore the Minnesota State Centers of Excellence
Labor Market Infographics
This page has links to a number of helpful infographics that provide key data to parents concerning the value of CTE career pathways.
Real Time Talent Minnesota Career & Technical Education Pathway Reports
These labor market reports and corresponding presentations provide future trends in workforce needs by regions of Minnesota.
DEED Regional Labor Market Profiles
Downloadable information about jobs/careers most needed per state region.
Advisory Committee Handbook
This handbook was developed to help build and sustain a strong and active advisory committee.
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