CTE Connections - Summer 2022

Johnny Key Secretary

Department of Education

LeadershipTeam Career & Technical Education

Dr. Ivy Pfeffer Deputy Commissioner Department of Education

Ross White Director

Division of Career and Technical Education

Dr. Sonja WrightMcMurray Sr. Associate Director Division of Career and Technical

Education

Tim Johnston

Mission

To prepare students for future college and career success.

Vision

The Arkansas Department of Education is committed to transforming Arkansas to lead the nation in student-focused education so that every child graduates ready for college, career, and community engagement. In our 21st century economy, the lines between college, technical education, and career have been blurred To succeed on any of these paths, our students need more complex academic skills, including creative problem solving, synthesis, and design; they need interpersonal and teamwork skills; and they need a work ethic and flexibility to thrive in an economic and technological future where change and innovation will be constant

Associate

Director Division of Career and Technical Education

CoreValues

This vision for excellent, student-centered CTE has five key goals that are aligned with the goals in Arkansas’ ESSA plan that was approved by the U.S. Department of Education in January 2018:

As

Through the work of CTE our students are leaving classrooms better prepared with credentials and course work under their belt for their next steps in life We must continue working to ensure that these tools are valued and portable for students Continued engagement with business and industry, post secondary, and workforce leaders is key in ensuring the skills already in our students' toolbelt are being recognized in their post graduation environments. Community engagement is key ensuring the skills, credentials, and training are valued and needed.

As we kickoff the 2022-2023 school year, think without limits to the work that can be done for our students, our state, and our nation! Have a great year!

In the spring of 2021, the Arkansas General Assembly passed legislation and developed Act 319. Through this work, students in the state of Arkansas are provided the opportunity to earn a career readiness certification (CRC) before they graduate high school. With the support of the state board of education, Arkansas has partnered with ACT WorkKeys to offer the WorkKeys curriculum and the National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC). Through the implementation of the WorkKeys curriculum and the career readiness curriculum in school districts across the state, we will have the opportunity for each student to leave high school with a portable work readiness credential As it was implemented across the state this year we are excited to share the highlights of the success of the program thus far. WorkKeys trainings were implemented throughout the 2021-2022 School Year both in-person and virtually reaching approximately 400 educators. This brought 126 more high schools to participate in the NCRCs in 2022. This has brought an excellent opportunity for counties to become certified Work Ready Communities This establishes and identifies what the future workforce will look like in Arkansas. The certification process allows local businesses and industries to use the data to identify the future workforce Being able to recruit and secure new business and industry will become simpler with the implementation of the CRC, as very specific data regarding workforce readiness will be available to all industries. Currently, Arkansas has 34 counties that are certified or are participating in Work Ready Communities. For more information about Work Ready Communities, click on the map.

CTEWithoutLimits

CTE Without Limits is ambitious and forward looking. It puts equity at the center and recognizes that our country needs a CTE system that works for each learner, wherever they are in their career journey and whatever their background.

This vision is not just calling for updates to our CTE, education and workforce systems. Rather, it is calling for a more cohesive, flexible and responsive career preparation ecosystem, with CTE at its nexus, that draws on the capacity of each existing system; leverages these systems’ greatest assets; and pushes for new models of collaboration, learner-centric design and delivery, funding and accountability that create the right incentives and supports

Only through shared commitment and shared ownership among leaders and practitioners at all levels can we realize the possibility and aspiration of a new career preparation ecosystem that provides each learner with limitless opportunity.

DCTE's"GrowYourOwn"Accelerateswith Pre-EducatorProgramofStudyPartnership

The Pre-Educator program of study is designed for students interested in a career in K-12 education and leads to a CTA credential. The CTA will meet all requirements of a paraprofessional and will have completed pedagogical coursework and field experience. This program of study requires a partnership with an Institution of Higher Education (IHE), and districts will work with this IHE to create opportunities for students to earn concurrent credit during the program. Concurrent credit options imbedded in the program of study allow students to begin completion of a degree program leading to Arkansas licensure. CTAs will be encouraged to continue their education and will be provided flexible, affordable opportunities to complete a licensure program while working in a school district.

DCTE is proud of the stronger connections that have come from the hard work that was put into the initiative to design an opportunity to find their passions and pursue opportunities. One connection we would like to showcase is our newest CTSO, Educators Rising. Educators Rising is a CTE movement that aims to inspire high school and college students to serve their communities by entering the field of education. By establishing a pathway starting in high school, Educators Rising assists districts in cultivating their own next generation of highly skilled educators through a “grow your own” initiative. In addition, Educators Rising strives to diversify the educator workforce as future educators explore the necessary skills to teach equitably and add student voice to national discussions around education.

Educators Rising recruits students who are interested in the teaching profession and provide opportunities for networking, college visits, demonstration of hands-on skills through competitions, and community Currently, Arkansas’s membership is 802 high school members and 63 collegiate members representing over 56 school districts and 7 colleges. In April, Educator’s Rising held their state conference where students attended workshops, heard from professionals in the industry, and recognized competition winners and state officers. Teachers present also enjoyed breakout sessions on various topics. Students who participate in the Pre-Educator Program of Study are encouraged to join a CTSO to enhance learning like Educators Rising. DCTE is excited to watch networking unfold for the future educators of our great state.

DCTEWebsiteUpdate

Arkansas Department of Education Division of Career and Technical Education is pleased to announce that Jobs for Arkansas Graduates (JAG) has received the JAG National 5 of 5 award for the 16th consecutive year. The Arkansas JAG program is an affiliate of the Jobs for America's Graduates program and is designed to assist students who are at risk of dropping out of high school. Students enrolled in the program receive supports and services to help them not only graduate high school but also become successful whether pursuing post-secondary education, employment, or military service.

An award ceremony was held at De Queen High School to honor the seniors who completed certificates of proficiency at UA Cossatot in December of 2021. UAC offers technical classes to local juniors and seniors at no cost to the student through the Secondary Career Center. This is a great opportunity for students to get a jump start on their career path. Seven students earned a CP in SMAW Welding and will earn a CP in MIG Welding this May. After graduating high school, they will only lack one class to earn a Technical Certificate in Welding. Rodrigo Arroyo Jr plans to finish his Technical Certificate in Welding, then will begin his Pipe Welding degree. Jesus Camacho Jr plans to transfer to SAU to study Welding and Chemical Insulation. Joel Elizondo will be earning his TC in Welding with UA Cossatot, and will continue his education to pursue a Pipe Welding degree. Alec-Zander Frachiseur plans to earn his Welding TC, then attend UAC to work on his Pipe Welding degree. Juan Gaona plans to enter the workforce upon obtaining his Welding TC. Juan will also be earning an Automotive CT in Brakes, Suspension, and Steering before he graduates from high school. Edwin Garcia plans to finish the Welding TC and pursue a career in construction, where he will work with his uncles in scaffolding and welding. M l S

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The Be Pro Be Proud Mobile Workshop visited Armorel High School Students from grades 7-12 were able to participate Be Pro Be Proud was enacted by the Arkansas State Chamber and its partners in 2016 They wanted to change the perception of how Arkansans saw these career options by highlighting many of them on the mobile workshop.

Student leaders were chosen and went through a training workshop conducted by the tour director. They were given t-shirts with the Be Pro Be Proud logo. These students became Be Pro Be Proud Student Ambassadors who actually led the student body through the activities on the mobile workshop. After each student group went through the workshop, they came back to the classroom and discussed the many job opportunities that were available to them in the particular profession

Students went through the 12 in-demand profession simulators and were able to a get a hands-on feel of doing the job task The professions that were represented include truck drive; diesel tech; locomotive engineer; welder; machinist; computer numerical control operator; tool and die maker; computer programmer; computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing drafter; heating; ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration tech; plumber, electrician, and carpenter.

Har-Ber TV Team Wins Silver Medal at SkillsUSA Summer National Competition

Har-Ber TV students Conner Jenkins and Cesar Batres won silver medals in the Television Produciton competition at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. The conference was held in Atlanta. Georgia June 20-24th where students competed against 48 other states to take home the silver. Congratulations on your achievements!

Jobs for America’s Graduates has begun the process to have the National Career Association recognized as a Career and Technical Student Organization (CTSO). As a part of this process, they are required to host a national competition and have elected officers. Last month in Dallas, TX, JAG national hosted the first ever National Career Development Conference. Students competed in over 10 events and elected national officers for the first time. We are proud to announce that Lauryn Howard, rising Senior at Little Rock Southwest High School was elected the first ever National Secretary. Congratulations, Lauryn!

Rachael Thumma from Bentonville High School was elected Central Region Vice President to the HOSA International Executive Council during the 45th Annual International Leadership Conference on June 24th in Nashville, TN. She is the first Arkansas HOSA Member to serve on the HOSA International Executive Council. The Executive Council represents HOSA members worldwide including Canada, China, Korea, Mexico, and the U S and its territories. Ms. Thumma will be attending Notre Dame on a full academic scholarship this fall while majoring in neuroscience during her year of service State HOSA Advisor, Matt Burns, says "It's incredibly competitive for International Executive Officer positions as Arkansas represents a very small portion of total international membership (less than 1%). She went through an extensive process to showcase her passion and knowledge for HOSA and it paid off We are so proud of Rachael and know she will be a fantastic representative of our state and organization. She earned it!." DCTE wishes her luck as she represents International HOSA this year!

During the 2022 FCCLA National Leadership Conference held in San Diego, California, Reese Owens a senior from White Hall High School, was elected to serve as the FCCLA National Vice President of Community Service for this school year! Reese has previously served as the Arkansas First Vice President, and the Vice President of Parliamentary Law for her district. Arkansas FCCLA is proud to have Reese Owens representing us on a National level and we look forward to seeing her grow and lead through her new role!