EAG Meeting 03/18/2007

Co-Chair Tim Herman called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m.

I. Introductions

Dick Shaink, co-chair, welcomed all in attendance and asked them to introduce themselves and their organization.

II. Economic Development Update

Karen Easterling, Baker College of Flint, gave an overview of ACT WorkKeys, a job skills assessment system measuring “real world’ skills that employers believe are critical to job success. These skills are valuable for any occupation -- skilled or professional -- and at any level of education. It benefits businesses, educators, individuals and the community. WorkKeys has been developed by ACT, an international leader in educational assessment and workforce development services for more than 40 years, best known for the ACT Assessment college entrance exam. WorkKeys links education and workforce partners within a community, offering a common language to help them communicate about job skill requirements needed to develop employees and build a better workforce.

Many questions were presented to Karen regarding current use of WorkKeys in our area. The key question was if the business or economic development community would value the gold WorkKeys certificate. For more information about this comprehensive job skills assessment system, call 1-800/WORKKEY or visit www.workkeys.com . Also, you may contact Clifford Burks, Director of Corporate & Community Services, who has replaced Karen at Baker College of Flint, at 810-766-4256 or at cburks02@baker.edu .

III. Letters of Intent/New CTE Programs

Gary Tower informed the committee that the statewide program approval process for new programs is more complex than it has been in the past in regards to support and use. The process for application is now web-based. Following the recommendation and support of this EAG last fall, several letters of intent were submitted to the State for approval to begin implementation in the 2007-08 school year. The application deadline is March 23, 2007. Program applications have been submitted for the following programs:

GASC Technology Center

Education General - Teacher Cadet

Agriscience changed to Natural Resources

Drafting/Design and Fabrication/Prototype

Medium/Heavy Truck Technician - Diesel

Flint Northwestern

Business Administration Management and Operations

Accounting/Finance

Mt. Morris Consolidated Schools

Public Safety/Protective Services

Information Technology/Network Administration

CAD Drafting/Design

Building Property Maintenance and Management

IV. Career Planning/EDP Updates

Gary Tower reported that $1.7 million has been allocated for local districts for the Career Planning/EDP initiative in Genesee County. Teams from local districts are being formed and will meet in April to plan for next year. Final plans will be reviewed and approved in June. Mid-year reviews show that seven of the eight districts cited for noncompliance in January have earned compliance status.

Governor’s Conference

Gary Tower, Brian Pyles, Rhetta Hunyady, David St. Aubin, Donna Burmeister, and other ISD and local district staff made presentations at the Career Education Conference on February 11-13. Presentations included “Ten Easy Lessons - Integrating Entrepreneurship into CTE Programs” (which was a ‘Top 20’ presentation last year) and “Career Planning/EDP” regional vision and leadership.

Follow-Up Study

Gary Tower reported on the 2006 Follow-up Study results of 2,500+ graduates:

§ 97% graduated

§ 75% continued their education

Ø (41% university, 30% community college, 3% technical school)

§ 63% working

§ 1% military

§ Less than 1% unemployed

Technical Review, Assistance and Compliance (TRAC) On-site Review

A State CTE/TRAC Onsite Review was conducted February 27 - March 1, 2007 in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. Twenty-three (23) CTE programs were visited and reviewed. Many favorable comments were shared by State staff on local programs that were visited during the first two days of the review. Interviews and a wrap-up session with state and CTE staff was held on the final day at Genesee ISD. Much positive feedback was made regarding the three-day visit in terms of the overall organization, assistance of staff, and findings of the onsite visit. A TRAC team from Genesee ISD and Shiawassee RESD will meet on April 24 in Lansing to develop improvement plans.

Shiawassee County

Sharon Ganssley reported that staff from Lincoln Alternative High School has been trained on Career Cruising which will be integrated into all classrooms serving approximately 175 students.

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce

Rhetta Hunyady shared a handout listing events/workshops that are planned through June 1 to support career preparation and career planning. Event topics focus on resume’ writing, job/teambuilding, interview preparation, mock interviews, how to keep a job, worksite visits, business etiquette, senior exit presentations, classroom speakers, city tours, career fairs, etc. The activities align across all grade levels (7-12) in Genesee County. These services have been provided through grant dollars from General Motors, The Community Foundation and Genesee ISD. This handout is available on the GISD website at www.geneseeisd.org/careertech/resources.htm (see Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce event activities link).

Summer Youth Initiative 2007

Rhetta also reported on the SYI program for 2007. Teens living and attending school in Genesee County are eligible to apply for SYI for summer employment with area nonprofit organizations. Initial eligibility requirements include:

Ø Age 14-18 (must be 14 by June 18, 2007)

Ø Live in Genesee County or attend a Genesee County school

Ø Entering the 9^th-12^th grade in the fall of 2007. Students who are currently in the 12^th grade may also apply

Approximately 400 students will be selected. Last year 1,400 initially applied. Applications are due Friday, March 23, to the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. You may obtain an application by contacting the Chamber at syi@thegrcc.org or 600-1413, or Cindy Thurlow at www.cthurlow@geneseeisd.org or 591-4437.

V. Perkins/Tech Prep Update

Gary Tower reported that OVAE (the U.S. Office of Vocational and Adult Education) is showing strong support through the House and Senate for Perkins and Tech Prep through year 2011. A $1.35 million allocation has been made to Genesee and Shiawassee Counties to further this initiative. Perkins dollars are once again earmarked for program improvement and technology, and Tech Prep dollars will support professional development. New legislation will focus on improving academic skills in Career Technical Education, moving away from special needs. Currently Flint Schools and Shiawassee County receive an allocation for special needs. Gary stated that there are some political concerns regarding the issue of legislative intent vs department guidelines/regulations.

Sherry Bradish distributed a handout of Tech Prep activity that has occurred or is planned for 2006-07. Activities include areas of professional development, curriculum alignment, EDPs, use of technology, all aspects of industry, and authentic instruction. A Tech Prep funding application was also distributed for planning future Tech Prep activities. The Tech Prep Regional Advisory Board met on Friday, March 9, to begin writing 2007-08 plans.

Sharon Ganssley reported that Shiawassee County has 13 career and technical student organizations. Brian Pyles has released the money for competitive event competition. The program improvement money for all CTE programs has been allocated.

Sharon also reported that the Shiawassee Countywide Health Careers program has 24 students of which 10 are members of the Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA). Students recently attended a regional competition at Delta College where all ten students qualified for state competition.

Professional development continues for Shiawassee County CTE paraprofessionals. Parapros attended a non-violent crisis intervention training held at the Shiawassee RESD. They also attended the Michigan Occupations of Special Populations Association (MOSPA) Regional Conference held at the GASC Technology Center Base Camp. Shiawassee County joins with Bay-Arenac, Tuscola, Lapeer and Genesee Counties to link CTE paraprofessionals and professional staff. Two Shiawassee County individuals were presented awards: Confers Family Market in New Lothrop as the “Outstanding Business” and Christina Seydell, a Byron High School student, as the “Outstanding Student.”

Brian is also planning a professional development day for the CTE instructors and paraprofessionals to share student data as it relates to the Perkins indicators.

Beverly Brown reported on GASC Technology Center’s Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) organization that encourages leadership, community service and competition. The student organization of 100+ members sent 67 students to Delta College on March 3 to compete. Of the 67 students, 28 received medals and 32 placed in the top ten. These students will now advance to the state competition to be held in Traverse City April 19-21. Students who qualify at the state competition will advance to the national competition to be held in Orlando, Florida.

V. WIA Updates

Gary Tower reported that 29 students with disabilities were placed in work experience settings for 2006-07. Jan Russell and Gary are planning to meet with Career Alliance to discuss an increase in the number of work experience opportunities for students at the new GISD Special Education Transition Center.

Lisa Seigle reported that Shiawassee RESD has 25 senior transition students who are in a paid work experience through the WIA program. They have had a 95% graduation rate as they partner with the school and transition coordinator to provide services.

A modification was given to the Shiawassee RESD which provided the opportunity to work with 25 students from Lincoln Alternative High School. The SRESD WIA staff are providing employability/occupational training to the students after school on Mondays and Wednesdays. One of the field trips will be to a Teen Summit on March 29 at the Baker College of Owosso Welcome Center. The Summit is sponsored by Relief after a Violent Encounter (RAVE). Topics will include on-line sexual predators, dangers of MySpace, Cyber-bullying, dating violence, healthy relationships, dangers of Meth, and suicide.

VI. Future Meeting Dates

Monday, May 7, 2007, 8:00 a.m., Broome Center, Flint

Dr. Shaink thanked the committee for their commitment and participation that creates a solid foundation for partnerships between education and business.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:25 a.m.

Approval of Minutes:

Dr. M. Richard Shaink, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)

Mr. Tim Herman, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)

GT/RS/TH:ct

3.13.07

Meeting Summary

March 12, 2007

Sylvester Broome Center

Governor’s Conference

Follow-Up Study

Technical Review, Assistance and Compliance (TRAC) On-site Review

Shiawassee County

Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce