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Career Connected Learning Newsletter |
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Unlocking Opportunities:
A Guide to Prepare for National CTE Month
As we enter the new year, it's time to gear up for National Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month. This annual celebration shines a spotlight on the incredible impact of CTE programs and their role in preparing students for successful careers. Whether you're an educator, administrator, student, or industry professional, there are numerous ways to actively participate and contribute to the success of National CTE Month and highlight how CTE and Career Connected Learning (CCL) are intertwined. We are providing these resources so you can use January to prepare for National CTE Month!
As we gear up for National CTE Month, it's crucial to recognize the integral connection between CCL. While celebrating the impact of CTE programs during this annual event, it's important to understand that CCL provides a broader framework that encapsulates the entire spectrum of career development. CTE, as a significant component within CCL, plays a pivotal role in bridging the gap between education and the workforce.
National CTE Month serves as a platform to showcase the achievements of CTE programs and the success stories of students who have benefited from them. However, it's noteworthy that CCL can exist without CTE, but not the other way around. CTE enhances each stage of CCL, from creating career awareness to offering hands-on experiences and preparing students for the workforce. It ensures that the learning journey is not just theoretical but also practical and directly applicable in real-world settings.
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What is National CTE Month?
National CTE Month is a nationwide initiative that spotlights the importance of CTE in providing students with the skills and knowledge essential for success in various careers. It's a time to showcase the achievements of CTE programs, the accomplishments of students who have learned about specific careers and identified them as a significant interest, and the contributions of educators, postsecondary, and workforce partners.
When is National CTE Month?
National CTE Month takes place during the month of February. This year, as we celebrate the 2024 edition of CTE Month, let's make it an unforgettable experience by actively participating in activities that promote and celebrate all that CTE has to offer.
Best Practices to help you prepare for National CTE Month
Showcase Student Success:
- Elevate the impact of National CTE Month by showcasing the success stories of students who have benefited from your CTE programs. Gather testimonials, create videos, and compile written profiles that highlight the real-world achievements made possible through your local CTE programs.
Leverage Social Media:
- Harness the power of social media to amplify your message. Utilize platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to share success stories, event updates, and relevant information about CTE. Join and contribute to the conversation using the hashtag #CTEMonth and #ThisIsCTE to encourage others to do the same.
Utilize Resources from ACTE:
- The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) provides a trove of resources to enhance your National CTE Month preparations. Explore their dedicated CTE Month page for promotional materials, event ideas, and success stories that can add depth to your celebration.
Harness the ODE CTE Communications Toolkit:
- The Oregon Department of Education (ODE) created a powerful tool to boost our communication efforts. The CTE Communications Toolkit, crafted in 2022, is a comprehensive resource that includes templates, social media content, and communication strategies tailored for Oregon CTE. Access the toolkit to maximize the impact of your messaging.
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Support the #ThisIsCTE Campaign:
In conjunction with CTE Month, the CTE Youth Advisory Council is launching the #ThisIsCTE social media campaign in February 2024. This campaign, sponsored by the Oregon Department of Education and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, aims to gather videos, photos, and content to increase awareness of CTE. Submissions are welcome until January 24, 2024. Please encourage students, instructors, and partners to participate using the provided FLYER and/or this submission FORM.
Get Involved and Make a Difference!
National CTE Month is not just an event; it's an opportunity to showcase the transformative power of Career and Technical Education in your area. By implementing these best practices and utilizing the resources provided by ACTE, the ODE CTE Communications Toolkit, and sharing Oregon examples of CTE through the #ThisIsCTE campaign, we can collectively contribute to a memorable and impactful celebration. Let's spread the word, share our success stories, and champion the importance of CTE throughout February and beyond. Together, we can inspire, educate, and pave the way for a future filled with endless possibilities for our students, seamlessly connecting the realms of CTE and the vitally important principles of CCL.
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Navigating CCL Across Oregon
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January is National Mentoring Month. Join MENTOR for exciting opportunities to grow the movement and celebrate the power of supportive and meaningful mentor relationships! Learn how you can participate by exploring MENTOR’s resources, toolkits, social media hashtags, and events. Take the National Mentoring Month Pledge. |
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Empowering Career Connected Learning through Safety: The Evolution of CTE Safety Training and its Impact on Student Success
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Discover how prioritizing safety not only protects students but also becomes a cornerstone for successful career connected learning, laying the foundation for a secure and thriving professional journey. Several years ago, construction teachers at a PACTEC (Portland Area Career Technical Education Consortium) meeting voiced their concerns over the lack of quality safety training resources available to CTE programs. They emphasized the need for an engaging, up-to-date curriculum to support students' learning. In response, Joe Mauck, a Construction Technology teacher at St. Helens High School, took the initiative to identify grants that could help fund the creation of professional-quality safety videos for construction. A partnership with the Association of General Contractors, Safebuild Alliance, PACTEC, Construction teachers and Perkins served as the genesis of the first two videos. These videos were well received by teachers and provided a foundation for a complete series of quality videos.
Around that same time, a revitalization grant became available, and with the commitment of several key teachers and industry partners (including OSHA volunteers), an application was submitted. Thankfully, the committee recognized the same needs and awarded approximately $250k to create 13 professional safety videos complete with a website for viewing, test-taking, and online tracking. Educators and industry professionals worked tirelessly to develop scripts and create tests, resulting in a highly effective training program.
Since the website went live just three months ago, over 120 teachers have signed up, and students have taken over 15,000 tests. This is extremely gratifying data, as the website was launched after most teachers had already started their yearly safety training with students. The success of this program has inspired requests for similar initiatives in other industries such as manufacturing, automotive, and culinary.
The website, with the great resources available, is teachsafely.com This amazing resource is free to use. Simply navigate to the site and register as a secure user. Then, take some time to review the videos and documents, create class rosters, and plan your lessons. You’ll find videos in the following equipment: Band saw, Circular Saw, Drill Press, jointer, Miter Saw, Multipurpose Saw Safety, Nail Gun, Planer, Portable Drill, Router, Sander, Table Saw and Wood Lathe. This great resource should improve the learning of your students and is aligned with industry standards. It’s a great resource for students who missed a day of school, need extra instruction or extra support. Use CTE month as a way to celebrate safety in your classroom and recognize all the students in your class who have successfully completed the safety training. Check it out now!
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Career Awareness & Exploration
Are you inspired to ASPIRE? Learn more about the ASPIRE program.
The ASPIRE program helps educate Oregon students to become career and college ready by providing education, resources, and mentoring. Through the ASPIRE program students receive one-on-one or group mentoring and/or engage in activities that support career exploration and college readiness. ASPIRE sites represent middle schools, high schools, and community-based organizations from urban, suburban, and rural communities across the state.
Last year 158 active ASPIRE sites provided support to an estimated 115,000 students, but they didn’t do it alone. They had help from local community volunteers. Community volunteers are a critical part of the ASPIRE program. In 2022-23, over 1,500 community members volunteered with the ASPIRE program as mentors. Additional volunteers were invited to ASPIRE sites to talk with students about local careers, apprenticeships, technical careers, and going to college. Community members contributed their time and support at about 86% of ASPIRE sites.
ASPIRE sites have access to a variety of resources and tools to help support FAFSA/ORSAA completion. Sites receive support from their access specialists, College Goal Oregon, FAFSA Plus+, and more. The FAFSA/ORSAA rates for ASPIRE sites last year was 52% as of July 1st, 2023 which is higher than the state average (48.2%), and higher than schools that don’t participate in the ASPIRE program (43%).
If you are inspired to learn more about ASPIRE checkout the website: https://oregonstudentaid.gov/aspire/.
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Career Preparation & Training |
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Expanding Access and Supporting the Success of Students Experiencing Houselessness in CTE and Work-Based Learning
Oregon learners completing at least two credits in an approved Career and Technical Education (CTE) Program of Study significantly exceeded the average statewide graduation rate (81.3%), graduating at a rate of 93% in 2021-22. Of those graduates that were houseless, 48% participated in a CTE Work-Based Learning experience. Furthermore, CTE provides additional benefits for students experiencing houselessness, including
- Learning about jobs/careers while exploring and planning next steps
- Developing academic, technical, and employability skills connected to immediate employment and/or future career plans
- Making school more relevant by connecting learning to personal, educational, and career interests and post-high school goals
- Building connections with qualified caring CTE teachers
- Option to earn industry credentials or certifications needed to enter a high-wage, in-demand career
- Applying and documenting the knowledge and skills gained through real-world applications by engaging in Work-Based Learning experiences
- Networking with knowledgeable professionals who can support career development, provide access to valuable resources, and make referrals to employment opportunities
Despite the positive benefits, many students experiencing houselessness struggle to access and succeed in high-quality CTE Programs of Study. Both Perkins V and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act direct schools and states to remove barriers and increase access to CTE for students experiencing houselessness. Schools can strengthen support for these students in CTE and Work-Based Learning by implementing practices to
- Expand educator culture competency and understanding about houseless learners and provide professional development to ensure school staff have the knowledge needed to design programs and supports that will meet the unique needs of these students
- Remove any course fees (cannot be charged for courses, see ORS 339.141, 147, and 155), entrance requirements, or registration deadlines that may impact mobile/transfer students’ ability to participate.
- Intentionally reach out to invite individual students to participate in CTE programs and Work-Based Learning experiences, explain processes for participation so students are not made to feel potentially anxious or embarrassed around not knowing next steps, and ensure they feel welcome to join the program.
- Create inclusive classrooms where instruction is individualized to account for outside factors that may interfere with a student’s ability to attend and/or focus on learning.
- build time into class to complete assignments or participate in Work-Based Learning experiences
- provide access to technology/equipment within and outside of the classroom
- ensure that students’ basic needs are met before expecting them to focus on course material
- Remove barriers that may limit access and belonging in CTE, including providing financial support for fees associated with co-curricular learning experiences or items, transportation for Career Connected Learning opportunities, participation in Career & Technical Student Organizations, costs of industry credentials and certifications, wardrobe requirements, etc.
- Collaborate with your McKinney-Vento District Liaison to ensure that the needs of students experiencing homelessness are addressed in CTE which may include access to funding sources.
- Tailor the schedule of Work-Based Learning experiences based on each student’s availability to avoid conflicts with after school jobs or responsibilities. Connect them to paid Work-Based Learning experiences when possible, especially in the summertime.
- Regularly review and share disaggregated data on houseless students in CTE, along with success metrics such as graduation rates. Examine data across schools and programs, including Work-Based Learning participation, to plan continuous improvement and resource allocation.
Thank you for ensuring that your students experiencing houselessness are supported in identifying and realizing their academic and career goals.
For more information about McKinney-Vento, please visit McKinney-Vento Act: Students Navigating Houselessness Education Program.
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Professional Learning Opportunities & Resources
Don’t miss the monthly Career Connected Learning Lunch & Learn gatherings! Click here to register and learn more about the meetings previously known as CCL Office Hours.
Join the Career Awareness & Exploration session on January 10 at noon.
Join the Work-Based Learning session on January 17 at noon to discuss WBL Across the Career Areas. Work-Based Learning experiences sometimes require different approaches across the career areas, particularly when planning Clinical/Internship/Practicum type opportunities in the workplace. We would like to gather insights into successful strategies across each career area, build a repository of helpful resources, and learn about specific career area challenges related to implementing real-world WBL. Please join us to contribute to the discussion, listen in, or bring your own WBL topic to the group as we all come together to shape the future of student experiences.
ACTE WBL Professional Development Webinar - Register: bit.ly/WBLJan2024
Sharing WBL Successes & Measuring Impact - January 25 @ Noon
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Connections
We want to hear from you!
We welcome your submissions to the ODE CCL Newsletter! If you have announcements, want to share best or promising practices, or have other information to share, you can submit them to ODE.CareerConnectedLearning@ode.oregon.gov
Please reach out to us if you have any questions or want to connect on CCL efforts:
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