THE STATE
EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY
OF THE STATE OF |
TO: |
EMSC-VESID Committee |
FROM: |
Jean C. Stevens |
SUBJECT: |
Regents Policy on Career and Technical Education |
DATE: |
February 24, 2006 |
STRATEGIC
GOAL: |
Goals 1 and 2 |
AUTHORIZATION(S): |
|
Issue for Discussion
Is this report on the evaluation, enrollment trends and other data sufficient for the Regents to determine if any adjustments are needed in their policy on career and technical education?
Review of policy.
Proposed Handling
This question will come before the Regents EMSC-VESID Committee on March 20, 2006. Due to time constraints in February, the report has been carried over to the March meeting.
Procedural History
The Regents established new policy on career and technical education in February 2001. Periodic reports are presented to the Regents on implementation of the policy. The last comprehensive report was submitted in December 2004, and it included the first independent evaluation of the program.
The New York State Learning Standards area
for Career Development and Occupational Studies (CDOS) was approved by the Board
of Regents in July 1996. The Career
and Technical Education policy which assists in the implementation of CDOS
Standards 3b was approved by the Board of Regents in February 2001. The attached report builds on the data
and year one independent evaluation results provided to the Board in December
2004.
The attached report includes the year two independent evaluation results,
an update on career and technical education program approvals, enrollment
trends, and follow-up initiatives to address recommendations included in the
year one evaluation report.
Attachment A is a copy of the year two evaluation completed by MAGI
Educational Services, an independent research and consulting firm. Attachment B is a report prepared by the
New York City Department of Education on its newly established small learning
communities for enhanced career and technical education programming. Attachment C provides some performance
data for approved CTE programs in
Recommendation
Staff recommend that the Regents review the
report and determine if additional information is needed as they continue to
monitor implementation of their career and technical education
policy.
Timetable for
Implementation
Not applicable.
Attachment
Career and Technical
Education Policy Review
In February 2001, the Board of Regents approved its policy on career and
technical education (CTE). The
policy has a twofold purpose:
·
Promote
and upgrade career and technical education programs; and
·
Provide
greater flexibility and access in curriculum and courses for high school
students who want to pursue CTE programs to meet graduation
requirements.
The following report provides an update on
implementation of the Regents policy.
I.
Independent Evaluation
In December 2004, the Regents received the year one evaluation report on
implementation of the Regents CTE policy.
It focused on student achievement, curriculum and instruction, and
overall program quality. The report
was prepared by MAGI Educational Services, an independent research and
consulting firm. The findings in
the MAGI Report indicated several positive outcomes as measured by enrollment
increases, academic and technical skills attainment, and stakeholder
satisfaction. The results supported
the Department's documented evidence in these areas through the Career and
Technical Education Data System (CTEDS) and the System for Tracking Education
Performance (STEP) programs.
Recently, MAGI Educational Services completed a year two evaluation
report with key findings on the CTE application process, CTE programs in
context, academic and technical rigor, high school non-participation and the
impact of CTE programs. A copy of
the year two report is provided as Attachment A.
The evaluation examined the impact of the CTE policy on career and
technical education programming.
Information obtained shows transformational changes not only in program
name but also in content, especially in Business/Information Systems and
Engineering/Technologies.
·
Business/Information Systems – vocationally
designated secretarial and clerical programs have given way to career and
technical education programs in communications and graphic design, computer
applications, finance academies and advanced marketing and distribution. Information technology now emphasizes
system design, networking and sophisticated computer modeling.
·
Engineering/Technologies – vocationally
designated carpentry, electricity and plumbing are now part of broader programs
in construction technology that introduce students to entrepreneurship,
computer-assisted drafting and design, architecture, environmental regulation
and public policy.
These changes are consistent with nationwide
transformations as published in an article by Dr. Gary Hoachlander (a member of
the New York State Career and Technical Education Advisory Panel) in the January
2006 issue of The School Administrator. Dr. Hoachlander is President of MPR
Associates which conducts research, policy analysis, evaluation, and curriculum
and professional development for the U.S. Department of Education, State and
local governments, higher education institutions and local school
districts. Dr. Hoachlander has
expertise in career and technical education and served on the New York State
National Advisory Panel for CTE in preparation for the development of the
Regents Policy on Career and Technical Education.
The option for schools to use integrated and specialized courses or a combination to meet graduation requirements is a unique feature of the CTE policy. We have learned from the evaluation study that this feature has motivated schools to update and modify their programs consistent with standards-based instruction, and with assessment support for accountability and targeted professional development for building capacity to sustain the programs. Greater than 90 percent of approved programs use either of these options.
As of February 1, 2006, 26 local educational agencies and 38 BOCES have submitted program approval forms to the Department, requesting approval for career and technical education (CTE) programs. The following chart indicates how many applications have been received and approved.
CAREER
AREA |
Received |
Approved
to Date |
Arts/Humanities
|
72 |
63 |
Business/Information
Systems |
130 |
97 |
Health
Services |
96 |
82 |
Engineering/Technologies |
364 |
340 |
Human
& Public Services |
176 |
166 |
Natural
& Agricultural Sciences |
58 |
58 |
TOTALS |
896 |
806 |
III. Enrollment
Trends
CHART 2
2001-2002 to 2004-2005 School
Years
District |
2001-2002 |
2002-2003 |
2003-2004 |
2004-2005 |
|
6,932 |
6,374 |
6,351 |
5,969 |
|
5,423 |
7,960 |
6,729 |
5,868 |
|
2,479 |
2,727 |
2,671 |
2,788 |
|
116,458 |
118,892 |
109,388 |
109,787 |
|
5,209 |
4,239 |
4,844 |
5,097 |
Total Big 5 CTE Enrollment
|
136,501 |
140,192 |
129,983 |
129,509 |
Total BOCES |
33,940 |
35,064 |
34,330 |
34,459 |
While enrollment has held fairly steady over this period, districts’
examination of their programs, and the closure of those programs that were
outdated or ineffective, has contributed to enrollment declines in some
areas. In the Next Steps section of
this report, we discuss our plans to work with districts to address this
issue.
IV.
Attachment B is a full report submitted by
the New York City Department of Education.
The report provides valuable information on the newly established small
learning communities for enhanced career and technical education
programming. Information is
provided on the organization of each school into academies, specifically the
number of academies in each school, the challenges each school faces and the New
York City Department of Education activities toward ameliorating these
challenges in each school.
The small
learning community CTE schools in
·
Ensuring that
entering students are supported with bridge programs that will help them to meet
standards in English and mathematics;
·
Improving
attendance; and
·
Increasing the
number of students graduating.
Of the 1,074
V. Initiatives
Based on the recommendations in the year one evaluation report, the following initiatives were undertaken by the Department to improve awareness of policy provisions, increase student participation/enrollment in CTE programs and improve overall performance. These were the points of emphasis in technical assistance endeavors undertaken by staff.
1.
Professional Development
A series of
professional development/technical assistance workshops have been or will be
implemented with special focus on academic and technical content integration,
involvement of CTE and academic teachers in planning and instructional delivery,
and program enhancements to ensure graduates are ready for work, the military
and/or postsecondary education.
Examples of these workshops include:
·
Accounting for Investing and
Managing
·
Cyberlaw
·
Stock
Market Game
·
Crosswalking Mathematics and Financial
Application to New Mathematic Standards
·
Developing an Updated Home and Career Skills
Core Curriculum
·
Integrated Academics in Construction
Technology Programs
·
Integrating Forensic Science in Criminal
Justice Programs
·
Strategies for Improving Agricultural
Education in
·
Department of Health Regulations for Health
Occupations Educators
·
Regional/Local Meetings of
The Career and
·
Providing professional
development;
·
Providing technical assistance and a
framework of proven strategies and recommended curriculum to increase student
achievement on State assessments;
·
Disseminating the latest research and school
efforts demonstrating successful practices; and
·
Convening meetings, workshops and
conferences and developing materials specifically designed to increase student
achievement.
Career and technical education policy provisions require that approved
programs be subject to re-approval every five years. CTE programs approved in the 2001-2002
school year are eligible for re-approval during the 2005-2006 school year.
The SED Career and Technical Education team has completed a process
protocol for those schools with programs eligible for re-approval. The re-approval application form was put
together with input from all stakeholders in the field resulting in the
strengthening of all sections of the approval process. The document delineates benefits for
students and responsibilities for schools, students and the community. To improve access to information for
this process, the re-approval document is posted on the Office of Curriculum and
Instructional Support (OCIS), CTE Team website at www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce/careerdevelopment/cdos.htm.
VI. Next Steps
Based on the independent evaluation and
staff analysis, we have identified five major areas that will be the focus for
future directions for CTE in
1.
Promote the Legitimacy of Career and Technical
Education in
Staff will be working in collaboration with the
Destination Diploma Task Force to expand CTE options in schools most in
need. A series of full-day
technical assistance workshops will be held through the
2.
Increase Awareness of and Market the CTE
Program Approval Process
One of the responsibilities of the
3.
Provide
Systematic Technical Assistance
In addition to ongoing technical assistance, staff will focus their attention on strategies to increase enrollments within the Big 5 school districts. Further upgrading and expanding the scope of high quality programs, through the CTE approval process, is one of the approaches currently being used.
A task force of staff from the New York City
Department of Education and the State Education Department was convened to
identify issues of concern. Three
issues which the New York City Department of Education believed were critical
were certification of CTE teachers, data collection and the use of integrated
academic credit within CTE programs.
SED staff with expertise in these areas have met twice in
CTE data from
The majority of the career and technical education programs will continue to refine their components through professional development for staff, securing appropriate certification for staff, and postsecondary articulation with institutions of higher learning. Programs continue to focus on academic and technical content integration and the involvement of academic teachers should continue to be a priority of CTE administrators.
4.
Facilitate an ongoing dialogue between high
schools and postsecondary educational institutions
We are working with the Office of Higher Education to conduct a forum
that will build upon the findings of the November Educational Summit by
specifically addressing how middle schools, secondary schools, postsecondary
institutions, and business and industry can collaborate to develop smooth
transitions in and among these groups and to assist every student in achieving
the highest level of academic and technical skills.
The forum will showcase existing, successful transition models and will
propose ways by which these models can be replicated across
·
Encouraging success in those at
risk;
·
Inspiring those in the middle;
and
·
Challenging the best.
The forum has been proposed for spring
2006. Funding is available from the
U.S. Department of Education, which is being provided to support a series of
national forums on this issue.
5. Data Collection
This will be ongoing in the areas of student performance, technical assessments, enrollment, and placement in participating school districts/BOCES. An effort will be made to maintain a comparative approach in all phases of data gathering for students enrolled in CTE versus those not enrolled in the program.
We continue to work with SED data collection offices and the field to improve data reporting.
VII. Continued
Analysis
Continued work will be done with the independent evaluator, MAGI
Educational Services, in the following areas:
·
A
comparison of CTE students and non-CTE students on high school outcomes and
dropout rates; and
·
A
review of approved CTE courses to confirm that the integrated/specialized
academic content (English and math) is at the commencement level.
Information and data from any or all of these items when completed will assist staff in providing appropriate technical assistance to school districts/BOCES.
Attachment
B
Background of the Eight Small
Learning Communities/Career and
(Submitted by the New York City Department of
Education)
In August 2004,
the Office of School Improvement and Restructuring (known today as the Office of
Secondary Schools) of the New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE)
received a Smaller Learning Communities Implementation Grant from the U.S.
Department of Education. The
implementation process for the years 2004-2007 is named Get REAL
(Relationship-based Education for Adolescent Learning) and includes eight Career
and Technical Education (CTE) high schools. The eight project schools
are:
(1)
(2)
(3) William E.
Grady High School -Region 7
(4) Graphic
Communication Arts High School-Region 9
(5) William H.
Maxwell Vocational High School-Region 5
(6) Queens
Vocational High School-Region 4
(7) Alfred E.
Smith High School-Region 9
(8) Clara Barton
High School-Region 6
(1)
|
|
|
|
Number
of students in SLC |
210 |
220 |
150 |
Grade
Levels |
9th
-10th |
9th
-10th |
9th
-10th |
Currently,
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the three academies
by:
(2)
|
9th
|
Business and
Technology |
Health
Sciences |
Legal
Studies |
Professional Beauty
Care |
Number
of students in SLC |
400 |
442 |
358 |
155 |
202 |
Grade
Levels |
9th
|
10th
-12th |
10th
-12th |
10th
-12th |
10th
-12th |
Achievement on
Regents exams in English and mathematics is improving. Seventy-four percent
(74%) of the 2004 graduating class met these standards in English and 55% in
mathematics – significant increases from 2003-04. The pass rates were higher
than for similar schools and for all city schools. The school has provided staff
in-service and used dedicated departmental meetings to align instruction with
the Regents examinations.
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the five themed schools
by:
(3) William H.
Grady High School
|
Automotive
Technology |
|
|
|
Project
Lead The Way (Pre-Engi-neering) |
Information
Technology |
Number
of students in SLC |
400 |
100 |
200 |
400 |
200 |
200 |
Grade
Levels |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
A review of
school testing data projects that Grady will achieve AYP in both English and
mathematics this fiscal year. In 2004, 71% of the students met Regents standards
in English, but only 34% met these standards in mathematics.
The school’s
commitment to “foster opportunities for success” can be found by touring the
building and seeing the displays throughout the building of quality student
work, pictures and plaques of award-winning teams and clubs and congratulatory
letters to seniors regarding scholarships and postsecondary
acceptance.
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the six technology schools
by:
(4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number
of students in SLC |
142 |
233 |
172 |
176 |
256 |
Grade
Levels |
9th-10th
|
9th-10th |
9th-10th |
9th-10th |
9th-10th
|
The school is
working to create a culture of high expectations. The evaluation team observed
orderly hallways and good discipline in most of the classrooms. The principal
has met with students to emphasize the connection between education and income
and to outline “roadblocks to success.” Teachers felt the assemblies encouraged
students to improve behavior and performance.
The school has
an extensive system of extra help, including double-block English and
mathematics classes for 9th graders who are below grade level.
Students who fail the mathematics Regents exam are required to complete 40 hours
of tutoring. PM school offered
students a chance to make up course work and students are being given help to
pass the Math A Regents exam with parallel content classes and math
labs.
The school has
made some progress in using literacy strategies across the curriculum. Teachers
have developed a reading list for each grade level and use a common writing
rubric. Staff has received extensive professional development in literacy and
mathematics.
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the five academies
by:
(5) William H.
Maxwell Vocational High School
William H.
Maxwell Vocational High School began the process of implementing four
career/technical theme schools in fall 2004: (1) Appearance Enhancement
-Cosmetology and Nail Techno logy; (2) Apparel Design -Fashion; (3) Health
Careers -Medical Assisting and Vision Technology; and (4) Communications Arts
-Communications Media). Maxwell will complete the implementation of its theme
schools, develop new concentrations, and expand the teacher advisement system to
meet the needs of all students as well as implement a more comprehensive
curriculum for teachers to carry out other advisement responsibilities. The
Maxwell SLC has an enrollment of 1,131 students.
|
Comm. Media |
Apparel
Tech Design |
Appearance
Enhancement |
Health
Careers |
Number
of students in SLC |
351 |
155 |
262 |
363 |
Grade
Levels |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
9th
-12th |
Maxwell has
articulation agreements with postsecondary institutions and a number of
businesses provide student internship opportunities. The school made an effort
last year to provide an advisory course for 9th graders that
addressed issues faced by entering students.
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the four academies
by:
(6) Queens
Vocational High School
The
Achievement on
Regents examinations in English and mathematics has been steadily rising over
the past three years. Almost two-thirds of
|
9th
|
School
of Entrepre-neurial Studies |
School
of Skilled Building Trades |
|
Number
of students in SLC |
295 |
360 |
316 |
162 |
Grade
Levels |
9th |
10th
-12th |
10th
-12th |
10th
-12th |
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing the four schools
by:
(7) Alfred E.
Smith High School
Smith will
complete implementation of the academies and offer a strong teacher advisement
system to give every student a sense of belonging. They are also looking at ways
to improve “catch-up” courses for ninth-grade students and continue to support
enrollment in the summer bridge program to reduce the percentage of entering
students who are academically unprepared. The school will provide professional
development to help teachers learn how to use more engaging instructional
strategies, including launching literacy- and mathematics-across-the-curriculum
initiatives. The Smith SLC has an enrollment of 684 students.
|
Gateway |
|
School
of Academics and Construction Skills |
Number
of students in SLC |
168 |
301 |
215 |
Grade
Levels |
9th
|
10th - 12th
|
10th -
12th |
The school’s
extraordinary leadership has created a secure environment and an atmosphere
characterized by politeness and respect between students and staff. A “buddy”
program pairs 9th graders with seniors to help them make a successful
transition.
The
Achievement on
the Regents examinations in English and mathematics has been improving.
Fifty-six percent (56%) of the 2004 graduating class met Regents standards in
English, but despite improvements, only 32 percent (32%) of the students met the
standards in mathematics. Smith established a summer reading program. About 70%
of the students complete their three-book reading assignment.
The NYCDOE is
working toward ameliorating challenges facing three schools
by:
(8)
Programs |
Industry
Certification |
·
Dental
Assistant* ·
Medical
Billing and Coding ·
Nursing
Assistant* ·
Practical
Nursing* ·
Virtual
·
Vision
Technology ·
Dental
technology |
§
Department
of Health (DOH) Certified Nurse Assistant §
Dental
Assistant §
Dental
Lab Technician §
State
Certified Nurse Assistant §
Licensed
Practical Nurse Exam and ATI
Predictor Exam |
*NYSED
Approved
Attachment C
Number of Completers of Approved CTE
Programs
Who Have Passed All Required Regents
Examinations
(of those NYC CTE schools reporting)
(Submitted by the New York City Department of Education)
School |
2004 Program
Completers |
Number Passing |
Percentage
Passing |
|
78 |
62 |
79% |
|
215 |
215 |
100% |
|
9 |
8 |
89% |
|
50 |
48 |
96% |
|
38 |
38 |
100% |
|
70 |
50 |
71% |
|
27 |
20 |
74% |
|
44 |
43 |
98% |
Harry Van Arsdale High
School |
11 |
2 |
18% |
|
29 |
29 |
100% |
|
38 |
38 |
100% |
|
85 |
75 |
88% |
|
53 |
53 |
100% |
|
29 |
28 |
97% |
Samuel Gompers Voc. And
|
99 |
78 |
79% |
Talent Unlimited High
School |
9 |
9 |
100% |
|
127 |
121 |
95% |
William E. Grady High
School |
45 |
28 |
62% |
Wm. H. Maxwell Vocational
High School |
18 |
16 |
89% |
TOTAL |
1,074 |
933 |
87% |