3. Describe the process used to develop the local transition plan.
A Perkin’s Work Team was initiated for the ASU Beebe campuses. Representatives from Student Services, CPI, IR, Instruction, Academic Affairs, Economic Development, various CTE Program Department Heads and Directors, and Vice Chancellors, as well as the Perkins Coordinator met numerous times and established a workable plan for the university.
4. Describe how career and technical education programs will be carried out using activities designated as required and permissive use of funds.
Required Use of Funds
The ASU Beebe campuses will continue to require programs of study with a Technical Certificate and above to complete a math and/or English or communications requirement in order to complete the program of study. Students seeking an Associates degree are required to take Freshman English I and II, a minimum of Intermediate Algebra, as well as other general education classes.
The Searcy campus will continue to offer training to secondary students. These students may take classes in Automotive Technology (47.0604), Auto Body Repair (47.0603), Machining Technology (48.0507), and Welding Technology (48.0508). A continued effort is being made to bridge the working relationship with local secondary schools. We currently have articulation agreements with 21 secondary schools through our Bald Knob High School Career Center and will continue to increase this number as possible.
Perkins funding may be used to expand and align new areas of linkage between secondary and post-secondary programs.
ASU Beebe campuses will continue to offer work-based learning experiences as part of the training for various programs. Clinical situations are provided at the local hospitals and nursing homes for nursing, EMT, paramedics, and Medical Lab Technology students. SimMan simulation also provides real-life experiences for nursing, EMT, and paramedic students. On-the-job training and internships are also made available to Business, Electronics, Air Conditioning Technology, Auto Body Technology, Diesel Technology, Early Childhood Education, Health Information Assistant, Machining Technology, and Pharmacy Technology students. Students enrolled in the John Deere Agriculture Equipment Technology program must be sponsored by John Deere dealership and are required to work for that dealership during the summer as part of the program requirements.
Instructors will continue to use a variety of technological resources for presenting material. Please see attached Information Technology Plan for the university.
Instant Response Systems are utilized on the Beebe and Searcy campuses to provide immediate feedback to instructors regarding student understanding and interaction. The Tegrity system is being utilized to assist student learning as well as the SimMan which provides a simulated real-life experience for medical students. WebCT, My Math Lab, Campus Connect, and various program specific software is utilized by faculty and students in order to enhance student learning.
Training and professional development will be provided to faculty and students when new technology is purchased or made available.
Professional development will be offered through various means to faculty in order to improve, develop, create, and modernize instruction in the classroom and lab situations. These opportunities will give a variety of options to improve presentation and skills assessment in order to better instruct the students in the classrooms and labs.
The ASU Beebe campuses will continue to evaluate CTE programs of study by an end of course evaluation (completed by students) and through the review/guidance of Advisory Committees. Advisory Committees are made up of local business and industry representatives.
The university is also evaluated through the North Central Association accreditation.
The university is always exploring possible avenues to offer CTE programs that are needed by
business and industry as well as looking for ways to improve, update, and stay on the cutting edge of technology in the CTE program areas. Recently, a Welding Technology Program was added to meet the needs of the gas/oil drilling industry and a Veterinary Technology Program was developed to meet the needs of that industry as well.
These findings are guided by advisory committees, changing technologies, changing industries, demand lists/employment opportunities, and faculty guidance.
In 2003, we had 304 CTE students on the ASU Beebe campuses. The number increases with each passing year with an expectation of continuous growth. In 2004, ASU Beebe had 416 CTE students; 2005, 511 CTE students; and in 2006, 628 CTE students.
In January 2006, Arkansas State University Beebe was one of the initial 11 schools to adopt the Career Pathways Initiative for our area. This program will help provide additional assistance to the special population groups.
The university is currently working on ways to better identify and evaluate the needs of these special population groups. Perkins funding will be used in a variety of ways to identify, address, educate, and better deliver CTE opportunities to these special populations.
The university has available for single parent students, information about the White County Single Parent Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to single parents seeking a post-secondary education.
Permissive Use of Funds
5. Describe how CTE activities will be carried out in order to meet state and local levels of performance. (See Appendix B for description of accountability measures.)
a) 1P1-Technical Skill Attainment (pending state decision on measurement)
Guidance has not been provided by the state at this time.
b) 2P1-Credential Attainment (Certificates and Degrees)
The university awards certificates of proficiency, technical certificates, and various associate degrees.
c) 3P1-Student Retention and Transfer
This information will be gathered through the university’s database and transfers will be tracked using the National Student Clearinghouse database.
d) 4P1-Student Placement
Student placement information will be collected through student follow-up surveys, instructor input, and contact with the student when possible.
e) 5P1-Nontraditional Participation
This information is collected using the university’s database in conjunction with CIP codes and the list provided by ADHE.
f) 5P2-Nontraditional Credential Attainment
This information will be collected using the university’s database referencing the appropriate CIP codes.
The university is also trying to evaluate (with Perkins in mind) a way to better track the above mentioned areas. Perkins funding may be used in the above areas to meet state performance standards.
6. Describe how the institution will offer the appropriate courses of not less than one of the CTE programs of study. Identify and describe any existing secondary to postsecondary linkages and how Perkins funds will be used to improve or expand such programs.
Currently ASU Beebe, Searcy campus, offers linkages between secondary and post-secondary in several CTE program areas. Linkages are established within Automotive Technology, Auto Body Technology, Machining Technology, and Welding Technology. Students receive concurrent credit in these areas of study.
Perkins funding may be used in an effort to continue bridging the linkage between secondary and post-secondary programs with the intent being increased availability and expansion of the CTE programs of study to secondary students.
7. Describe how the academic and technical skills of students participating in CTE programs will be improved and how CTE students will be taught to the same standards as are all other students.
All students are required to meet specific guidelines (GPA 2.0 or better) in order to graduate. The standard is not different for one set of students as opposed to another; however, the curriculum will vary according to program area. The university’s curriculum committee evaluates and reviews program curricula on an annual basis.
Programs with Technical Certificates and above all have a math and/or English or communications requirement for completion.
8. Describe how activities will provide students with strong experience in and an understanding of all aspects of an industry.
Clinical situations are provided at the local hospitals and nursing homes for Nursing, EMT, Paramedics, and Medical Lab Technology students. SimMan simulation also provides real-life experiences for Nursing, EMT, and Paramedic students. On-the-job training and internships are available to Air Conditioning Technology, Business, Electronics, Auto Body Repair, Diesel Technology, Early Childhood Education, Health Information Assistant, Machining Technology, and Pharmacy Technology students.
9. Describe how comprehensive professional development for CTE, academic, guidance and administrative personnel will be provided.
Professional development needs are evaluated by input from business and industry representatives, advisory committees, student surveys, area specific professional organizations, and changing technology.
The majority of our CTE faculty members have come from the industry in which they teach.
10. Describe how a wide variety of stakeholders are involved in the development, implementation and evaluation of CTE programs, and how such individuals and entities are informed about, and assisted in understanding the requirements of Perkins, including CTE programs of study.
Stakeholders evaluate the CTE programs on an annual basis. Based on the evaluation and recommendations from these stakeholders, changes are incorporated when possible and as funding allows.
Meetings have been held, and are being held in order to inform stakeholders about the requirements of Perkins as it relates to CTE programs.
11. Provide assurances that the recipient will provide CTE programs that are of such size, scope and quality as to bring about improvement in the quality of CTE programs.
Continued growth on all ASU Beebe campuses proves sufficient size and scope. Efforts are made on a regular basis to ensure good quality CTE programs with guidance and input from local business and industry representatives, faculty, staff, administrators, students, and professional organizations.
12. Describe the process that will be used to evaluate and continuously improve performance of CTE programs.
Student evaluations are completed at the end of the program, advisory committees are consulted on a regular basis with at least one annual face-to-face meeting with faculty, as well as the university’s curriculum committee (made up of faculty, staff, and administrators) reviewing and approving various program area curricula.
13. Describe how the institution will address the needs of special populations enrolled in CTE programs.
The university will continue to offer services to those students, with proven disabilities, services through our counseling center and with direction from our Disability Coordinator. Students that are economically disadvantaged have Pell grants, loans, scholarships, and work study options available to them, as well as the CPI avenue on campus to provide assistance.
Currently a means is not in place to identify most of these special population groups; however, meetings are being held in order to establish a means of identification for these special population groups.
14. Describe how funds will be used to promote preparation for nontraditional fields. (See Appendix D for nontraditional fields.)
ASU Beebe is currently meeting the state levels for nontraditional students. However, funding may be used to promote nontraditional fields and educate prospective students about the benefits and opportunities of enrollment/participation in those fields.
15. Describe how career guidance and academic counseling will be provided to CTE students, including linkages to baccalaureate and above education or other training opportunities.
Academic advising and career guidance is provided to all students, including CTE students as they prepare for, enroll in, and begin their educational endeavors.
All campuses are equipped with a guidance counselor available to prospective and enrolled students. Kuder and Career Scope are available for those students who are not sure of which career pathway to enter.
We offer baccalaureate and masters linkages with the ASU Jonesboro campus. ASU Jonesboro classes are held on the ASU Beebe campus in order to assist with the efforts.
16. Describe efforts to improve the recruitment and retention of CTE teachers, faculty, and guidance and academic counselors, including under-represented groups, and the transition to teaching from business and industry.
The majority of the university’s CTE instructors came from industry. Retention of these instructors has not been an issue for the university with most of our instructors having 3 years or more with the university. Instructors are mentored by fellow faculty during the initial transition into teaching. Continued education is encouraged as well as continued professional development in order to maintain a true level of excellence.
17. Describe how funds will be distributed among consortium members, if appropriate.
NA
18. Describe how the local recipient will report data that is complete, accurate, and reliable.
effort is being made to reevaluate the university’s method of flagging, collecting, and submitting data to ensure that it is clean and reliable. Meetings have been, and are being held concerning the collection of data from students. This is a progress in work and is being addressed through the university’s IR department in conjunction with department heads, directors, faculty, vice chancellors, and the Perkins Coordinator. The university will hire a Data Collection/Assessment Coordinator in order to prepare for Perkins IV. This coordinator will work closely with the Perkins Coordinator to develop, review, assess, and collect appropriate data needed to ensure that data is valid, reliable, and complete.
