Going for the Gold
Going for the Gold: California CTSO Conference Leads the Way
Sacramento, CA July 22, 2010. Leading Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSO), education professionals and Information Technology representatives will be gathering together at a roundtable to explore how to improve student outcomes in California. The goal of this event is to explore how to best support students in the classroom and to empower them with leadership and career skills to ensure success in a global economy.
The roundtable will be held in conjunction with the 2010 Career Technical Student Organization Enrichment Conference taking place in Sacramento, CA on August 2nd-4th, 2010. California’s Career Technical Student Organizations offer services to 2.5 million students and their teachers and administrators interested in learning more about and promoting Career Technical Education (CTE) in California.
Sponsored by the not-for-profit WebProfessionals.org organization WhyITNow.org initiative and established to promote IT and New Media education and jobs in California, the roundtable discussions will cover topics ranging from how to implement effective practices and gaining industry support.
Roundtable participants will include stakeholders representing a wide range of views and experiences, such as middle school, secondary and post-secondary education, professional associations, Education and Career Technical Student Organizations include the Future Farmers of America (FFA), DECA, California SkillsUSA, Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), California Association FHA-HERO, and the California Health Occupations Student Association (Cal-HOSA).
Participating panelist included:
• Alyssa Mangan, FFA Advisor from Elk Grove High School
• Cindy Beck, State Advisor, Cal-HOSA
• Dara Dubois, State Advisor, SkillsUSA
• Jayne Campbell, Competitive Event Coordinator and Past President, FBLA
• Melissa Webb, Home Economics Careers & Technology Education Programs Consultant, California Department of Education, California Association FHA-HERO
• Ryan Underwood, California DECA Executive Director
“To remain competitive in a global economy and to ensure prosperity we must foster innovation, creativity, and education excellence in California” said Bill Cullifer, Chair of the WhyITNow.org initiative.
Event Outcomes
CTSO Conference – August 3, 2010
Sacramento, CA
Categorical Suggestions
There are six sections each having recommendations. The number in parenthesis indicates total votes.
1. Industry Partners
a. (15) Partnerships and sponsorships to provide learning opportunities. Examples include: materials, job shadow, guest speakers, etc. Help provide what the state budget cannot.
b. (4) Commit staff/resources to collaboration activities. Examples: participation in CTSO activities and efforts like judging, internships, industry panels, etc.
c. (4) Mentor students and teachers and helping with preparing students for competitions and soft skills.
d. (5) Industry needs to be materially involved in promoting and supporting CTE financially, with internships and by providing feedback. In turn create a pool of qualified workers, and also to support local industry during a down economy.
e. (2) Get industry more involved in CDE’s to keep current with today’s ever changing industry standards.
f. Would like them to participate in career exploration day at schools.
2. State CTSO Level
a. (14) National CTSO should create commercials/PSAs promoting benefits and life-long learning opportunities for students. Bring awareness to community and stakeholders.
b. (6) Advisers need training on how to better coach their student members to be able to achieve more affectively. Pair up new advisers with experienced advisers.
c. (1) Promote more opportunities for A-G acceptance for CTE programs.
d. (1) State CTSO develop partnership training for enhancing student learning via online tutorials and internships.
e. Should have direct partnerships with colleges – articulating classes, etc.
3. National CTSO Level
a. (18) Provide marketing/promotion materials tailored to the stakeholders – administrators, industry, government and community. Include a nationally recognized spokesperson. Address what is currently being done, planned, etc.
b. (4) CTSOs need to promote competitive events that reflect the most current and needed skills in the field.
c. (2) Develop targeted lesson plans related to CTSOs to integrate into classrooms & curriculum.
d. More scholarships for winners.
e. Need resources: current skill guidelines; technical assistance; leadership training; easy centralized registration;
4. Government:
a. (13) Districts need to understand the value of CTSOs in order to direct funding and resources
b. (7) Districts and schools should be held accountable with their Perkins’ funding and be requiring to have a CTSO to receive Perkins’ money
c. (3) Teachers need the freedom to explore alternative approaches to delivering and assessing curriculum in order to support CTE in the classroom.
d. (1) Look at graduation requirements to support students is A-G, how can we make them just as successful
e. (3) CDE or County should allow experimenting with contextualized learning collaboration- needed hours to plan to improve students understanding; commit more resources to supporting CTE state –wide and at the local level. Gov/state should bring teachers together for sharing best practices to collaborate ideas and improve students’ learning.
f. Support from administrators and local districts
g. More in-service time between teachers and industry and training
5. Teachers
a. (9) Student presentations at staff, district and community meetings show-casing student activities and achievements. Highlight program serve lunch to staff, but they need to tour progress facilities / work for lunch tickets.
b. (6) Externship opportunities to experience real life applications of what you’re teaching. Job- shadow a career you teach about.
c. (2) Networking- need opportunities to network.
d. (1) Teachers should take programs seriously and promote high expectations to build credibility and pride for students.
e. (1) Advertise what you do – let your administrator know what you do
f. ALL TEACHERS need CTE training… it should inform all curriculum since the goal is to get a job and become a member of society.
g. Teachers continue to expand/improve rigor and relevance and fun in classes and organizations.
h. Academy concept
i. Create site support teams for CTSO advisers.
6. Students
a. (8) Students need to promote and recruit students and peers to grow program to enhance marketing skills and create organization relationships
b. (7) Parents need to become active players in developing programs … many have resources and ideas that can benefit and inform our programs.
c. (2) Students and parents need to see value and relevance in the CTE program.
d. (1) Allow students to explore their avenue of interest, get them involved, give them chance to explore.
e. Students need exposure to CTSO’s without cost in order to see the value/ opportunities.
f. Students market their programs to parents, teachers and community proof it works!
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