Volume 7                                  November 25, 2008                              Number 6

Special Topics | CTE In the NEWS | CTSO Related | Updates: Credentialing, CTA, VE-135

     ***Click here for the latest information on reporting for VE-135!***

Special Topics

To Better Serve You

Beginning with the last issue, #704, CTE Trends is now available online as a web page. The direct address to the CTE Archive is: http://www.coloradostateplan.com/CTEarchive.htm

Town Hall Meeting in Colorado Springs Wednesday, Dec. 3 on Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness

The Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Higher Education will jointly host a town hall meeting in Colorado Springs on Wednesday, December 3 as part of the ongoing effort to establish a description of “postsecondary and workforce readiness.” S.B. 08-212 requires that the Colorado State Board of Education and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education adopt a description of “postsecondary and workforce readiness” by Dec. 15, 2009. S.B. 08-212 seeks to establish a seamless pathway from preschool into college or the workplace. Essential to that pathway is an understanding of what it means to be ready for education or the workforce after high school and a plan to ensure that students take the necessary courses and master the content to do so.

The meeting will be held from 5 – 7 p.m. at the El Pomar Foundation’s Penrose House (1661 Mesa Ave.) in Colorado Springs.

Educators, students, parents, business and community members and interested citizens are invited to the meeting, which will be facilitated by David Skaggs, Executive Director of the Department of Higher Education and Dwight Jones, Commissioner for the Colorado Department of Education.

The gathering in Colorado Springs will be the second of 10 statewide meetings planned to solicit a broad spectrum of community thinking. The work was launched by Senate Bill 08-212, the “Preschool to Postsecondary Education Alignment Act” also known as the Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids (CAP4K).

“If Colorado successfully implements this legislation, we will lead the nation in preparing our children to be successful and competitive in the global economy,” said Dwight D. Jones and David Skaggs in a joint letter asking community leaders to spread the word about the meetings andtheir significance.

The description of postsecondary and workforce readiness will provide a bookend to a description of “school readiness” due to be adopted by the Colorado State Board of Education in December, 2008.

These descriptions of school readiness and postsecondary and workforce readiness will guide the final selection of new statewide model content standards, which are being revised for the first time since they were adopted 13 years ago.

Similar community meetings are scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 27, in the Denver Metro Area (location is to be announced), Thursday, Feb. 12, in Fort Collins at the Colorado State University’s Lory Student Center (4—6 p.m.) and Wednesday, March 4, in Grand Junction at the DoubleTree Hotel.

Meetings are also tentatively planned for 2009 on Tuesday, March 17, in Alamosa; Thursday, April 16, in Pueblo; Wednesday, April 22, in Sterling; Thursday, May 14, in Glenwood Springs; and Tuesday, May 19, in Durango. Precise locations and times are to be announced.

Get your Nominations in for the upcoming CACTA Awards

It is that time again, for outstanding administrator awards and retirement recognition at the Mid-Winter Conference in Colorado Springs in February. Anyone wishing to nominate one of their peers for an award or self declare a pending retirement please let me know. You can find Award information on the CACTE website: www.cacte.org. Please take a moment to think about someone deserving that has not been recognized for their tireless work in Career and Technical Education, as there are many! Do it now, the Conference will be here before you know it! Thank you. Contact: Glen March, 303-734-3871 with any questions or if you require assistance.

CTE Related Positions Accepting Applications at CCCS

The following positions are currently open and accepting applications: Coordinator of Educational Support Services and CTA & Credentialing Manager. To see a complete listing of jobs available through CCCS: http://www.cccs.edu/HR/ccjobs.html.

Regional Workshop Schedule

The Colorado Community College System (CCCS) will be hosting four full-day Regional CTE Workshops this year.  The purpose of these workshops is to provide an opportunity for all CTE educators and counselors to meet with state Career and Technical Education staff.  CCCS staff will cover a range of topics and will provide the latest information affecting Career and Technical programs in Colorado.

If you’d like to find out more about the workshops listed below, please review the flyer and agenda posted on http://www.Coloradostateplan.com.  If you’re interested in registering right now, please go to http://www.rsvpbook.com/event.php?417896.  Registration is free of charge, but space is limited so register early!

Workshop Schedule:  (8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

One graduate continuing education credit through CSU will be available for $53.00 plus the submission of an assignment.  Continental breakfast and lunch will be served. Questions can be referred to any Program Director (see http://www.coloradostateplan.com/CTEcontacts.htm) or Pat Sagrillo at 303-595-1568 or pat.sagrillo@cccs.edu.

CTE in the News

Colorado Culinary Academy at Western Colorado Community College students win state competition

Nine students on two teams dedicated the wee hours of the morning three times a week perfecting recipes in preparation for The American Culinary Federation Colorado Junior Team Competition. The competition was held on Saturday, November 8 at Pikes Peak Community College in Colorado Springs. All that cooking paid off as the results came in and the senior team found itself the student team of the year for the ACF’s Colorado chapter. The senior team also won a silver medal in the contest, and the junior team won a bronze based on points given in the competition. To read the complete story in the Grand Junction Sentinel dated November 11, which also includes a video on the different courses of the menu.

Regional General Motors Training Center Moves to Arapahoe Community College

General Motors has relocated its Denver-based four-state regional training center, known as the Denver Region GM Service Technical College (STC), to Arapahoe Community College. The relocation occurred September 8 and classes began September 11.

“General Motors chose to expand their partnership with Arapahoe Community College in this manner because of the quality of our programs and our affiliation with their educational programs,” said Automotive Technology Director Jerry Viola. “All regional General Motors training at the technician level will be done right here. This is one more validation that our automotive program is ‘the Harvard’ of Automotive Technology Training.”

ACC’s regional center will provide training for GM automotive technicians throughout a region including Colorado, Wyoming, Montana and Nebraska. Center instructor Tony DeGeorge will provide the instruction for the GM technicians.

Viola explains, “Because Colorado is a desirable setting and technicians can study at any training center in the country we’ll have people coming from all over the United States to our program. Any time General Motors puts out new technology, technicians will have the opportunity to be trained on it right here at Arapahoe Community College.”

“Because we’re an ASEP school, we can share tools and equipment for the benefit of our college program and GM’s training efforts. The end result will be that our students receive a leg up on their competition,” Viola said.

The associate degree programs at ACC are designed to provide competent automotive technicians for dealerships and independent general automotive repair facilities. The curricula for these programs were designed in conjunction with dealership representatives. The entire program at ACC is two years in length with approximately 50 weeks of technical and academic training. The remaining time is allocated for on-the-job training at sponsoring dealerships or independent shops. Each semester of training at ACC is followed by on-the-job work experience to reinforce the technical curriculum. For more information on the ACC program, click here.

Colorado Springs Utilities Turns to TSJC and PPCC to Create New Rocky Mountain Lineman School Addressing Workforce Shortage

On October 29, Trinidad State Junior College held a Grand Expo for its new Rocky Mountain Lineman School that included a keynote address from Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Director Don Mares. The Lineman School seeks to address an imminent worker shortage in this skilled trade. The Rocky Mountain Lineman School is the result of a partnership between TSJC and Colorado Springs Utilities to provide the first-ever electric lineman pre-apprenticeship certificate training for the El Paso County Region. The program offers both certificate and associate degree options. To launch the school, a 15-week lineman course began in August. The program also offers an associate degree option offered through Pikes Peak Community College.

According to Carnegie Mellon University's Electricity Industry Center, about half the nation’s 400,000 power industry workers, largely baby boomers, are eligible to retire in the next five to 10 years. Experienced journey-level linemen can earn $60,000 to $100,000 annually. Linemen do everything involved with constructing and maintaining overhead and underground electrical systems that deliver power to their customers. This includes standing poles and installing cross arms and insulators, pulling and sagging wire, setting transformers, installing vaults and setting meters.

Graduating from the new Rocky Mountain Lineman School provides prospective employees with a pre-apprenticeship certificate. This is a pre-cursor to being hired by a power and electric utility company and completing a lengthy, yet-paid, apprenticeship program. The pre-apprenticeship program offered by TSJC lasts one semester and includes 500 hours of instruction. This certificate proves to potential employers that an aspiring lineman has what it takes and it gives those exploring the career a real feel for the line of work. After completing this training, graduates are eligible to be hired by an electric utility company and complete their formal apprenticeship training which typically takes three to four years to achieve journey level status. TSJC touts the Rocky Mountain Lineman School as a comprehensive program that enables those seeking employment with an electric utility to be recognized by the industry with a “very marketable” accredited certificate.

The Rocky Mountain Lineman School is an expansion of TSJC’s lineman program it developed earlier in concert with industry in Las Animas County. For more information on this program, click here.

9Teachers Who Care Awarded to ACE Teacher in Douglas County

“I’ve always loved the idea of teaching kids who don’t fit into the traditional box of sitting, going home and doing homework” says Kristy Baumgartner, ACE At-Risk teacher at Chaparral HS in Parker. Kristy’s students run their own sign and engraving shop while learning subjects like finance through real business management. The key, “Miss B” says, is to teach in a way where students engage themselves and challenge each other in a polite and constructive way. Go to 9News for the complete story.

The following overview was submitted by Cindy LeCoq after a visit to Kristy’s classroom:
Kristy Baumgartner has been with the ACE At-Risk program at Douglas County Chaparral High School for four short years. In that time Kristy has developed and implemented an incredibly successful business management print shop project called “ACE Premier Lettering and Design” that is an integral part of her ACE curriculum. Students enrolled in ACE at Chaparral can receive credit for an English class they have previously failed, a Practical Arts credit, a Social Studies Elective credit, or an Elective credit. There are over 95 students enrolled in this invitation only program.

“ACE Premier Lettering and Design” was partly funded with Carl Perkins grant money and with Kristy at the helm the program is financially self sustaining this year. The print shop is one year old and has handled over 300+ contracts rendering over $124,000 in sales. This is a “start to finish” business beginning with a cost estimate and culminating with the final billing for each sale. All students are involved in the various projects that the shop is handling. During my recent class visit I observed three different projects being worked on by students: 1) Engraving dog tags commissioned by Meadow View Elementary School; 2) Name plates for poster-size picture frames identifying each photo of the senior football team commissioned by the Chaparral Booster Club; and 3) Production of large plastic hanging banners with important messages commissioned by Ranch View Middle School. The students are self directed and obviously excited by what they are doing. They are so competent at what they do they have helped Kristy train more than four other schools on the ins and outs of running a school business print shop.

Each class has an elected officer for the Executive Team that parallels a typical business company starting with a CEO, Director of Sales, Director of Marketing, Director of HR/Finance, and a Director of Product Development. This team was responsible for developing a business plan for the print shop and then applying for a loan to purchase additional printing equipment that involved researching amortized monthly payments and writing a contract for paying off the loan with projected sales and establishing documented collateral backing. The Executive Team reports to Kristy Baumgartner, who in turn, reports to the Principal of Chaparral, Ron Peterson; to the ACE Advisory Board; and to the program’s important business and industry partner, Denco Sales. Clearly this is an exemplary ACE program that prepares at-risk students to successfully transition into the workplace, the community, and postsecondary education! A job well done!

CTSO Related

Colorado Technology Education Association (CTEA) Holds Annual Conference

More than 100 educators from across Colorado attended the 2008 CTEA Fall conference held November 6-7 at Warren Tech and Red Rocks Community College. This year’s conference theme was “Back to Basics.” In addition to special interest sessions, instructors had the opportunity to network with fellow instructors as well as attend hands-on workshops. Educational tours to the National Renewable Energy Lab, (NREL), and Coors Brewing Company in Golden were scheduled for attendees. This year’s keynote speaker was Matt Gianneschi, Senior Policy Analyst for Education and Initiatives to Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. Gianneschi discussed the important role CTE will play in education reform in producing the necessary workforce that Colorado needs in the 21st century.

As part of the conference, CTEA was honored to host the annual Technology Education Collegiate Association (TECA) competition. The University of Wyoming and Fort Hays State University students competed in technology-related events designed for future technology education instructors.

The annual CTEA Awards Luncheon was held on Friday. CTEA Classroom Improvement Grants were awarded to both middle and high school applicants. Middle school winners were: Evan Biddulph, Euclid Middle School; Les Stern, North Arvada Middle School and Joe Buzzitta, Clark Middle School. High school winners were: Jay Moore, Grandview High School; Pamela Wilkins, Littleton High School and Ted Seilor, Cherry Creek School District. Instructor Casey Wood from Ft. Morgan Middle School was named Instructor of the year. Program of the Year was awarded to Jay Moore, Rob Combs and Alan Rydlund of Grandview High School.

First Annual Technology & Engineering Career Day

The Denver Nuggets, in conjunction with the Technology Student Association (TSA) and SkillsUSA, would like to invite all students in technology education classes to attend the inaugural TSA/SkillsUSA Technology & Engineering Career Day at the Pepsi Center on Thursday, December 4, 2008, from 3- 6 PM. The event will include a hands-on “Techspo” as well as a special “Professionals Behind the Scenes” seminar designed to highlight many of the off the-court careers in pro sports, including many in technology-based fields. Following Career Day, everyone is invited to watch the Denver Nuggets take on the San Antonio Spurs. Cost for the Career Day and Nuggets game admission is $17. To order tickets or for more information: contact Kenny Keblaitis, 303-405-7635

UPDATES: Credentialing, CTA, and VE-135

CTA (formally known as CVA)

The new CTA (Career and Technical Act) is in effect for FY 2009. 

In November 2007, CCCS put together a team to review the Rules and Regulations and to make recommendations for changes. This team consisted of Secondary CTE Administrators (both urban and rural), CACTA Board members and CCCS staff from Accounting, Internal Audit and CTE Compliance. With the recommendations from this team, CCCS started the process to have the Rules and Regulations changes coincide with the effective date of CTA. This process included receiving approval of the changes from the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. The new Rules and Regulations became effective August 6, 2008.

The next step for implementation of the CTA was to make changes to the Administrators’ Handbook. Over the summer, the team that made recommendations to the Rules and Regulations did the same for the Administrators Handbook. The final version of the CTA portion of the Administrators’ Handbook has been completed and is effective for FY 2009 financial reporting for CTA.

***2008-2009 VE-135/VE-130 Reporting Announcements***

There are significant reporting changes for the 2008-2009 year that will affect how you are required to collect and submit the VE-135 enrollment and follow-up.  
You are strongly encouraged to review the VE-135 and VE-130 collection and submission procedures for 2008-2009 in the PDF document listed under “Section VI - Data Reporting” of the CCCS Administrators’ Handbook on the state plan website at http://www.coloradostateplan.com/admin_handbook.htm.  We also recommend that you watch the CTE Trends e-newsletter for VE-135 announcements throughout the reporting year.

CCCS is required by law to collect the VE-135 follow-up and enrollment data each year in order to comply with the accountability requirements set forth by both the state-funded Career Technical Act (CTA) and the federally-funded Carl D. Perkins Act.  You must report the VE-135 data even if you do NOT receive state or federal funding for your approved CTE programs because the data is used in the program renewal process.

The VE-135 submission deadlines have changed for the 2008-2009 academic year and are as follows:

• Follow-up deadline- March 15, 2009
• Enrollment deadline-July 30, 2009

The VE-135 data will NOT be accepted after the deadline has passed unless your institution has been granted an official extension for extenuating circumstances from CCCS for either the enrollment or the follow-up.

Important changes to the follow-up for this year include:

• Follow-up surveys should not begin until December 15, 2008.
• Placement questions now are specific to student outcomes between the time period of October 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 only.
• Follow-up questions have changed for this year.  Questions for secondary and postsecondary are now the same. Placement criteria have been redefined and there are now new questions pertaining to apprenticeships and technical skills assessments.

Important changes to the enrollment for this year include:

• There are both new and redefined secondary and postsecondary fields in the enrollment for 2008-2009 that are critical to defining CTE student populations.
• Definitions regarding enrollment and completion have changed.  You will also be reporting concentration status for all students.

The VE-130 active teacher data is still required from all institutions with active CTE programs.  CCCS program directors’ strongly encourage all institutions to report this data completely so that important CTE correspondence reaches all instructors.

The VE-135/VE-130 data collection site at https://ve135.cccs.edu/login.aspx will be undergoing extensive redesign this year in order to meet the changing reporting requirements for 08-09.  Sections of the website will be launched in phases as they are developed.  Phase I has been launched and when you go to the website you will be able to update your VE-130 Active Teachers and retrieve your VE-135 Follow-up completer lists.  Please note that system colleges, egos, pickens, aims, cmc, and mesa do not yet have postsecondary completers listed. We will be posting those very soon.

Contact Julie Eddy, CTE Accountability Director by email at julie.eddy@cccs.edu or by phone at 303-595-1527 with any CTE data reporting questions or comments.

Thank you for your continued cooperation as we work toward documenting our successes in career and technical education in Colorado.

Valuable CTE Websites

This is issue #706 of CTE Trends. The next issue will be released December 9, 2008.

Scheduled publication dates: Jan. 13, 27; Feb. 10, 24; Mar. 10, 24; Apr. 7, 21; May 5, 19

Distributed to more than a 1,000 CTE educators and administrators throughout Colorado, CTE Trends is made possible through The Carl D. Perkins Vocational-Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 federal funding as administered by the Colorado Community College System.

Editor:          Victoria Ekelund