Education Advisory Group Meeting 12.03.2007

Co-Chairs Richard Shaink and Tim Herman called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

1. Introductions

Dick Shaink welcomed all in attendance. Each person introduced themselves and their organization. Tom Svitkovich thanked committee members for their support and for serving on the EAG. He especially thanked the co-chairs, Dick Shaink and Tim Herman, for their time and commitment over the past several years.

2. EAG Membership

Additional membership changes for the EAG for 2007-08 will be presented at the next meeting of March 3, 2008, to be held at Shiawassee RESD. The following membership changes were presented at our last EAG meeting of September 24:

Craig Coney, Interim CEO/President, Career Alliance, Inc., replacing Pamela Loving

Fred Stanley, CTE Director, GISD, replacing Gary Tower who retired

Linda Thompson, Superintendent, Flint Schools, replacing Dr. Walter Milton

Cindy Weber, Superintendent, Durand Schools, replacing Jan Amsterburg

Clyde Bell, Principal, GASC Technology Center, replacing Doug Weir

Larry Ford, Jr. asked to be removed from membership

Darryl Grace removed from membership (no longer employed at Job Corps)

Dr. Gary Lipe, Superintendent, Grand Blanc Schools, retired, removed from membership

3. Career Technical Education (Handout)

CTE Enrollment Data for 2007-08

Handouts listing CTE student enrollment data for Genesee County schools and the GASC Technology Center were distributed. Enrollments are down nearly 300 students across the county. Local districts are running 94 programs with 10,678 students. The Area Center is presently running 19 programs with 2,273 students.

Expenditure Reports VE-4033

Fred reported that all expenditure reports have been received from local districts and submitted to the state department. Added cost dollars must be matched. Approximately 90% of funds are spent in program improvement.

Tech Prep Professional Development

A handout of all planned activities for Tech Prep professional development for Genesee and Shiawassee counties was distributed. Tech Prep is a part of the Career Initiatives Grant.

Brian Pyles reported on the “Educator n the Workplace 2008” program being sponsored by the Genesee/Shiawassee Tech Prep Consortium, which includes Genesee ISD, Shiawassee RESD, and Mott Community College. This program provides a hands-on business experience for vocationally certified instructors teaching in an approved CTE program. Criteria includes completing two days at the worksite; submitting a technology-based lesson plan electronically to be used in 2008-09; participants are responsible for selecting their own worksite and making their own placement arrangements with a prospective employer. Worksites are not limited to Genesee and Shiawassee counties. Stipends are paid once the lesson plan is received and approved. Plans will be posted on the Genesee ISD and Shiawassee RESD websites. Tim Herman stated that he would be willing to direct potential business partners in this initiative.

Sherry Bradish reported on the “Braids & Brains” Conference for middle school girls held at Mott’s Regional Technology Center on Saturday, December 1. The conference, hosted by the GASC Technology Center, was well attended by middle school students, parents and educators. Special speakers were present from across the state and country. The conference built an exciting program around STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Over 70 girls participated.

Amy Fugate reported that Mott Community College is partnering with Mott Middle College in remedial skills development for math.

Renita Mikolajczyk shared regarding the Site Selector Event that took place in Shiawassee County on December 1. This event brings in potential new business or relocation of current business owners from across the country. During this two-day event, business owners and their families tour Shiawassee County that includes the North Pole Express, which is a visit to Santa’s Village in Chesaning on the famous “Polar Express” train.

Troy Napier reported that Baker College of Owosso will be starting a new diesel tech program next term.

Perkins

The Perkins piece of the Career Initiative Grant, awarding $1.3 million to Genesee/Shiawassee counties, is spent primarily to support special populations and at-risk students. These students are identified in the 9^th grade. Shiawassee County focuses on supporting paraprofessionals in CTE and professional development for instructors.

CIP Self-Review & GAP

Conducting a CIP Self-Review helps to insure that students are receiving quality instructional delivery. It is also designed to provide instructors with a growth experience. The instructional growth occurs when the instructor completes the survey and becomes aware of the critical parts of a CTE program, i.e., certification, student completer information, advisory committee utilizations, allowable expenditures, facility requirements, safety, course standards, elimination of barriers for “at risk” students, etc. The student gains when the instructor incorporates all of the critical elements into his/her program.

The state has asked that each instructor complete a CIP Self-Review by June 2008. Fred will be working with local districts to achieve this goal. The GAP Analysis is a comparison of local program curriculum to the state standards that have recently been developed in cooperation with Ferris State University. In a side-by-side comparison when a state standard is not present in the local curriculum, a “gap” is identified and, of course, the correct response is to fill the gap.

4. Career Cruising Management Training

In order to train new administrative staff in Career Cruising, Genesee County superintendents requested a workshop be scheduled. The interactive training has been scheduled for December 4, 2007. Available sites for this training are Atherton, Fenton, and Genesee school districts and Genesee ISD. Currently, ten persons have registered for the training. Monthly training for Career Cruising has been ongoing for Career Resource Center staff and instructors. Chery Wagonlander stated that the EDP process at Mott Middle College has been outstanding, and she has been very pleased with the training.

5. Integration of Academics

Brian Pyles reported that at their last leadership meeting, a process to identify curriculum to align with the state standards was developed. Meetings will begin in January and run from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. Determining standards and developing a process will be the focus. Smaller groups will work jointly. A regional group will meet and plan for the larger groups to make sure they are going in the same direction. This entire process must be completed by June 30, 2008. The integration of academics will be the greatest challenge facing CTE this year. That process will require that highly-qualified academic instructors work with CTE instructors to identify when and where math and science are taught in CTE courses. When this identification occurs, a local district could then decide to award a “math-related” or “science-related” credit to fulfill some of the new graduation requirements.

6. Other Business

Tom Svitkovich shared with the EAG that the dedication of the new Transition Center is being held today. The Center is located in the old Office Max building on Lennon and Linden Roads. The facility will house a new 23,000 square foot school designed to equip special education students in transitioning from school to the community. The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce has played a big part in this endeavor. THA Architects/Engineers and Wolgast Company have been instrumental in the development of the Center. Capital funds and special education dollars were used to renovate the facility which produced a cost savings of nearly $1.2 million.

7. Future Meeting Dates

Monday, March 3, 2008, 8:00 a.m., Shiawassee RESD

Monday, May 5, 2008, 8:00 a.m., Genesee ISD, Room 101

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:55 a.m.

If you are interested in receiving any of the handouts from this meeting, please contact Cindy Thurlow at www.cthurlow@geneseeisd.org .

Approval of Minutes:

December 6, 2007