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Co-Chair Dr. Dick Shaink called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.

1. Introductions/Welcome

Welcome and introductions were made.

2. National ACTE Conference Update

Brian Pyles reported that he attended the National ACTE Conference,

December 4-6, 2008, in Charlotte, North Carolina. A highlight of the conference was speaker Willard Daggett, President of the International Center for Leadership in Education. Dr. Daggett is recognized worldwide for his proven ability to move education systems toward more rigorous and relevant skills and knowledge for all students. His enlightening, entertaining and motivating messages will help you look at education differently by challenging your assumptions about the purposes, benefits and effectiveness of American schools. Daggett inspires his audiences both to embrace what is best about our education system and to make the changes necessary to meet the needs of all students in the 21st century. He also shared on high-performing schools that integrate CTE into their curriculum. The conference provided input from many national speakers as well.

Lisa Siegel shared that she was very appreciative of the opportunity to attend the national conference. The information obtained will be beneficial to middle school and high school students. Great information on career coaches was also shared.

She will be sharing this information with Sherry Bradish as well.

Brian is working on a document providing information on BioTech alternative energy that he plans to share with Fred Stanley. This information will be valuable for CTE instructors and guidance teachers.

MACTE will be hosting a forum for CTE staff, ISD directors and area center directors in February 2009. A spring conference is also being planned.

Fred reported that Oakland, Macomb and Genesee County are involved in the Design Manufacturing Alliance. They have been discussing alternative fuel and sustainable energy.

3. Michigan Merit Curriculum through CTE Courses

Brian Pyles reported that the Michigan Merit Curriculum through CTE courses changed two years ago. Algebra I and II, and Geometry are now needed as a 4^th year math related credit. He has been working with instructors in Shiawassee aligning curriculum to meet graduation requirements. Alignment has been done in accounting, agriscience and machine tool trade. Recommendations have been made to principals to grant the math credit. Superintendents are being reminded that approval may be needed by their boards.

Brian distributed a 13-page document on proposed Michigan Merit Curriculum (MCC) credit in the areas of accounting, BMA, alternative fuels, teacher cadet, building and construction trades, drafting, electronics/engineering, family & consumer science, child care, machine tool programs, and woodworking programs.

Fred Stanley reported that curriculum alignment in similar programs is being done in Genesee County to meet the new graduation requirements. Currently 16 programs have been identified for math related credit; six more are being considered. Clyde Bell is assisting Fred in identifying science related courses at the area center and Kim Fischer will lead the project. Donna Burmeister will lead the VPAA (visual performing and applied arts) project.

Tom Svitkovich stated that recruitment and registration for CTE classes is about to start. With the potential of a two-year Algebra II program for two credits, we may be facing a new set of dynamics. Local districts do not have a structure in place to address this probable scenario. On-line courses may possibly be an avenue to assist students. Tom reiterated the importance of the EAG to monitor this progression.

4. Tech Prep Posters

Brian Pyles shared that Genesee and Shiawassee counties have purchased posters displaying the message “earning free college credit” to inform students of articulation options into postsecondary education. The two-sided posters provide the option of flipping them showing the different career pathways. This marketing tool has been sent to guidance offices and all tenth grade classrooms at the high schools in both counties.

5. Tech Prep Activities

Sherry Bradish distributed a handout of all Tech Prep professional development activities that have taken place or are planned for 2008-09. High school and college instructors discussed professional development and Michigan standards for six career pathways. Segmenting of classes has also been discussed and is moving forward. Three segmenting workshops took place this fall at Mott Community College in the area of business, management, marketing and technology.

6. CTE Enrollment

Fred Stanley reported that the 2008-09 CTE Enrollment Summary has been completed. A handout of local district and GASC CTE enrollments by career pathway was distributed. Countywide enrollments are down in both wage-earning and non-wage earning programs. Local districts are showing a decrease of 1,058 students in CTE classes, and Family and Consumer Science is showing a decrease in enrollments of 1,070. On a positive note, the GASC Technology Center increased enrollments by nearly 150 students. Enrollment Summaries will be shared with local district staff and administrators, as well as being available on the GISD website at www.geneseeisd.org > CTE Department.

7. New Program Applications

New program applications have been submitted to the State and approved in both Genesee and Shiawassee Counties as follows:

Genesee County

Carman-Ainsworth Finance

Fenton Drafting/Design; Marketing, Sales & Service

Grand Blanc Construction Trades; Education General Digital/Multimedia & Information Resources Design

Linden Drafting/Design Technology

Shiawassee County

Corunna Construction Trades; Machine Tool; Woodworking

Durand Woodworking

Owosso Education General; Woodworking; Infinity Project

New programs generate added cost dollars for districts.

8. Discussion Item

Dr. Shaink invited Alicia Booker to speak about the role of the EAG as it relates to Career Alliance and the Workforce Development Board. Alicia stated that she has been meeting with Fred Stanley and Clyde Bell on the role of the EAG. One area of discussion focused on the new administration at the federal level and how this will impact our area. The infusion of public dollars for training initiatives will most likely be a factor with the new coming infrastructure. Consensus was that Career Alliance, the Genesee ISD, the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce (Partners in Progress program), and the GASC Technology Center must continue to work in partnership to deliver the necessary training initiatives needed to meet the needs of this area at this time. The EAG will play an important part in helping to direct these anticipated funds. Much discussion surrounded the topic of economic hardship -- locally, regionally and globally -- as well as unemployment, underemployment, displaced workers, transportation and logistics, the decline in the auto industry, the competitive job market for graduating students with displaced workers, adult learning, and the needs and concerns of business owners in terms of employment trends.

Alicia shared that a second extension of unemployment benefits have been granted. This will allow recipients to receive an additional seven weeks of aid.

Discussion was also held on bringing new business leaders to the EAG meetings.

Career Alliance will be sharing their end-of-year report for strategic planning.

A green sector meeting is planned for May 11, 2009, in Lansing.

Amy Fugate revisited the need for Tech Prep student identification in order to grant articulation at Mott Community College.

Next Meeting:

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:00 a.m. Location to be determined.

With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 9:40 a.m.

NOTE: If you are interested in receiving any of the handouts from this meeting, please contact Cindy Thurlow at www.cthurlow@geneseeisd.org or 810-591-4437.

Approval of Minutes:

December 10, 2008

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

Tim Herman

December 10, 2008

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

MRS/TH/FS:ct

Meeting Summary

December 8, 2008

Genesee I.S.D.