3. Describe the process used to develop the local transition plan.
The Perkins Focus Group includes Mary Kay Wurm, NPCC Perkins Coordinator, Dr. Gordon Watts, Vice President of Instruction, Dr. Brad Moody, Institutional Research, Linda Castaldi, Department Chair Nursing Division, David Hughes, Secondary Programs Director, and Maggie Picking, Vice President of Student Services. Meetings were held through out 06/07 to discuss the plans and review the data form previous years programs, Input was gathered and written into the 07/08 plans.
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
All CTE certificate and associate degree programs include academic requirements of math and English in addition to the technical training and clinical components.
Currently there are no programs fully aligned, however, there are articulation agreements in the following programs at NPCC;
Secondary Advertising Design and Postsecondary Communication and Arts Division, Secondary Automotive Service Technology and Postsecondary Auto Service Technology 47.0604, Secondary Medical Professions and Postsecondary Health Sciences Division, and Secondary power Equipment Technology and Postsecondary Marine Technology 47.0616. During the transition year we will start the process of aligning the curriculum between several secondary and postsecondary programs including Advertising Design and Graphic Design 50.0402, Medical Professions and Practical Nursing 51.1613, Registered Nursing 51.1601, Radiography 51.0907, and Medical Lab Technology 51.1004. In the coming year we will have a part time position dedicated to tracking students in articulated curriculum and linking the secondary and post secondary programs of study.
CTE programs all include clinical, internships, job shadowing, or industry visits. Medical Professions classes include a shadowing experience and the Nursing, Radiography and Medical Lab Programs include clinical experiences. The Advertising Design and Graphic Design Programs include guest speakers and labs where students are given projects to complete.
Technology will be updated in a systemized manner across all programs as determined by the technology committee and budgets. Faculty and staff have campus wide in-service meetings twice per year that include technology training sessions. Training sessions are offered at a variety of times through out the year on campus and opportunities for off campus training on an as needed basis.
Transition year administration funds will be used for a professional development retreat in the Spring to analyze progress and plan the next year instructional activities and projects. This will better align the curriculum of secondary and post secondary programs, partner program instructors will decide on class projects relevant to the program curriculum, which will involve both secondary and post secondary students.
Programs will be evaluated annually by the department chairman, secondary and postsecondary faculty, staff, and students. Industry certifications will also be maintained for program accreditation.
Both Grant and program funds will be used to expand the technology in the Graphic Design, Radiography, and Registered Nursing Programs. All CTE programs are allocated limited budgets for improvements. The student testing center will be expanded and improved to better accommodate the CTE students. A CTEL Advisor will expand the linkages available to CTE students.
National Park Community College has a total enrollment of 3000 students annually with a large percent (74%) enrolled in CTE Programs. Transition grant funds will be used to enlarge the capacity of the testing center lab area used for placement of students into course work. Accurate placement is critical to retention and completion of CTE programs of study.
Special populations will be provided services available to all students and will in addition have a non-traditional advisor to assist with unique problems and services related to their CTE programs of study and non-traditional student needs.
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.)
b) 2P1-Credential Attainment (Certificates and Degrees)
All grant activities to align the secondary and post secondary curriculum will be targeted to the final goal of certificate and or degree attainment. A CTEL advisor will obtain information to establish linkages for secondary to post secondary programs and will track student progress throughout enrollment.
c) 3P1-Student Retention and Transfer
All grant activities to update or expand technology will have retention as the goal. The testing center will be upgraded to better serve all CTE students. The graphic design/photography, nursing, and radiography programs will expand the student PDA programs and technology to effect retention rates.
f) 5P2-Nontraditional Credential Attainment
The grant activity for the part time non-traditional advisor will be to assist nontraditional students in credential attainment for CTE programs.
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.
All programs listed in 4b. will be targeted. This transition year will be focused on increasing the secondary to postsecondary linkages and credential attainment.
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.
NPCC’s high school programs will partner with area high schools to identify the common academic elements in the CTE areas. Instructors in the schools and the NPCC center will work with students on projects to reinforce both technical and academic standards. NPCC instructors have identified the math and literacy skills specific to their trade area, these skills will be reinforced during the course and will be cross referenced with skill in the related academic courses.
8. Describe how activities will provide students with strong experience in and an understanding of all aspects of an industry.
Clinical requirements are a part of all of the medical related program curriculums and staff must maintain certifications in their areas in order to teach. In the design areas an advisory board keeps staff current on trends in the business areas as well as certifications of instructional methods. Visits and job shadowing along with internships and community projects give students real work experience. Faculty work in industry or participate in training sponsored by industry. Faculty will be providing in-service activities to the local high schools to begin the process of bridging the information gap by outlining the common academic skill areas in their respective programs and providing hands on examples for the instructors to use in the classrooms.
9. Describe how comprehensive professional development for CTE, academic, guidance and administrative personnel will be provided.
NPCC faculty will be sending a team to the High Schools That Work Conference. HSTW is a data driven decision making model that reviews processes and procedures in order to make changes in program rigor. The premise is to categorically raise standards for students by increasing the rigor and relevance in the technical and academic classes.
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.
Currently, students, faculty, administration, business and industry are involved in the evaluation, development and implementation of program changes.
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.
NPCC will continue to assess all CTE programs of study and to select activities that will serve and benefit the majority of the CTE students.
12. Describe the process that will be used to evaluate and continuously improve performance of CTE programs.
CTE programs and instruction are evaluated by several methods including faculty/ staff evaluations, department chair evaluations, and review by advisory counsel. The director of instruction, president of NPCC and board of Directors are also responsible for review processes.
13. Describe how the institution will address the needs of special populations enrolled in CTE programs.
Special populations enrolled in CTE programs will be identified and targeted for additional services including academic advisors, scholarships and financial aid, support groups, and special events, workshops, and pathways programs of study.
14. Describe how funds will be used to promote preparation for nontraditional fields. (See Appendix D for nontraditional fields.)
NPCC recruiting staff will provide information for all programs to all potential students with out regard for gender. A part time academic advisor position will be provided to non traditional students through the career services area. The academic advisor will be familiar with special populations and the non traditional pathways to careers.
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.
NPCC Career Services are provided to every full time CTE student through the freshman orientation process and courses. Career Services has on going year round activities to assist the CTE students. Academic and transfer counseling is provided by Students Services staff through out the program year.
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.
CTE instructors and staff are recruited from our community, state, and nation. In-service activities and orientation assist instructors coming from business and industry.
17. Describe how funds will be distributed among consortium members, if appropriate.
Not applicable to NPCC
18. Describe how the local recipient will report data that is complete, accurate, and reliable.
National Park Community College will continue to report program data in a accurate manner as a result of a reporting process that involves the collection of data and verification by a team including the registrar, director of financial aid, director of career services, and assessment coordinator. Data is collected at entrance, by semester, and upon exit of the program of study.
