Career & Technical Education News
A publication of ESC Region 11 • February 2021
ESC Region 11 CTE
A Note from Lisa
Happy CTE Month!
February is always one of my favorite months. Typically we are gathered at our statewide winter CTAT conference and enjoying each other's company while learning and networking, and this is dedicated as CTE Month. We may not be together in person yet, but this is still a great time to shine spotlights on your programs. Spend a little extra time sharing your programs through social media, and it is an ideal time to engage with your community and industry partners to make sure they are aware of your student accomplishments. Even though this is not a typical school year, you have all found ways to provide opportunities for student success, and the world should know, so let your light shine!
I have been so impressed by the CTE student recruiting innovation I have seen or heard about! I believe that innovation runs through the bloodstream of CTE staff, and this has been an area others can witness this phenomenon. If you are struggling with how to ensure all students know about CTE Programs of Study and the classes they can take advantage of, be sure to attend CTE Coffee & Conversation on February 3rd and network with your peers.
Here are a few things to keep on your to-do list:
- Review activities for CTE Education Week, Feb. 22-26.
- Download the CTE Month logo to use in postings.
- If you missed the January R11 CTE Leadership Meeting, review website postings.
- Meet with your Industry Partners/Advisory Boards. (Resources)
- Encourage student participation in NASA HUNCH.
You can see by my background that I'm still hopeful that a little winter precipitation will arrive at my home. I look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming CTE Coffee and Conversation Zooms and the CTAT Conference. Stay well and stay connected!
Lisa
#CTEStrong
CTE Coffee & Conversation
This is an opportunity for CTE Leadership to work through local needs in a peer forum. We all need a Professional Learning Network, and CTE Coffee & Conversation meetings provide just that. This began as COVID-19 support but has worked so well in our region that we have decided to continue offering it in the future.
Helpful Information Straight from TEA!
IBC Completion up 6% Statewide in 2020
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released its 2020 Annual Report and School Year 2019-20 Pocket Edition.
The Agency’s Annual Report promotes the progress and advancements taking place in Texas’s more than 1,200 public school systems. It also serves as a helpful resource for illustrating areas where Texas must maintain its investment in ensuring every student, regardless of circumstance, is prepared for success in college, a career, or the military.
The 2020 Annual Report focuses on key areas of achievement based on the Agency’s Strategic Priorities:
- Recruit, Support, and Retain Teachers and Principals;
- Build a Foundation of Reading and Math;
- Connect High School to Career and College; and
- Improve Low Performing Schools.
Notably, the report chronicles the Agency’s comprehensive response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. Through authorization from legislative leadership and Governor Abbott, TEA and the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM) have administered the disbursement of more than $2 billion from the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This funding has provided critical support to schools, students, teachers, and families with immediate educational needs related to COVID-19.
The Agency is also released its School Year (SY) 2019-20 Pocket Edition, which annually provides a detailed, easy-to-access overview of the public school landscape in Texas with details on student population, students by program, Special Education services, Kindergarten readiness, and a summary of public education spending for fiscal year (FY) 2019.
Shared from Kevin Johnson at TEA
Dear Instructors and Administrators,
New Collision Repair Standards – updated standards for Collision Repair and Refinish Programs have been posted at https://www.aseeducationfoundation.org/resources. They are effective Jan. 1, 2021, but there is a six-month transition period. Programs that have already submitted their applications using the 2018 standards don’t need to change anything. If you are planning to submit an application between now and June 30, 2021, you can use the 2018 or the 2021 standards. All applications submitted after June 30 should use the 2021 standards.
Documents on the website include a Summary of Changes, so you can easily see the differences between the old and new versions. We thank the many experts from industry and education who helped with these updates.
Training Opportunities – in addition to the weekly technical webinars that ASE and our industry partners present every Monday and Friday, here are some additional training offerings to help you stay up to date:
- MotorAge Vehicle Repair Virtual Training Summit offers a broad library of 40+ training programs, available on demand for 45 days, starting January 20. Use the code ASESummit2021 at checkout to get the discounted price of $70 for access to all sessions. Visit https://endeavor.swoogo.com/virtualtrainingsummit/training to get more information and register.
- VISION HiTech Training & Expo is virtual this year, but in appreciation of your hard work, full-time educators can attend for FREE. The conference dates are March 2 – 11, and there are a limited number of free packages and a limit of 2 free registrants per school. Visit https://www.visionkc.com for more details. To sign up for the special offer for educators, visit https://link.visionkc.com/2020Educators.
- 2021 ASE Instructor Training Conference is scheduled for July 26 – 29 in Concord, NC. Visit https://aseeducationfoundation.org/events/ase-instructor-training-conference for info. Registration will open in early February.
Scholarships – industry partners are stepping up again this year to help your students continue their studies. A variety of scholarship opportunities are available all in one place at the University of the Aftermarket Foundation. Visit https://www.AutomotiveScholarships.com to get your students started. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2021.
Thanks for all you do. Stay safe until next time.
Mike Coley
President, ASE Education Foundation
Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and DOD: Manufacturing Skills Gap Workshop
WORKSHOP OVERVIEW
Visit tx.ag/skillsgap to learn more and register for a workshop.
- TEES and DOD representatives will present data related to the challenges of filling the manufacturing pipeline with qualified workers.
- Participants from industry, education & communities will have the opportunity to share their perspectives in plenary sessions as well as in breakout groups.
- Summaries from the feedback will be shared during workshops and digitally following the conclusion of the workshops.
- Please direct questions about the workshops and/or the registration process to the following email skillsgap@tamu.edu
Regional Workshops: National Imperative for Industrial Skills
tx.ag
Regional Workshops: National Imperative for Industrial Skills. Online registration by Cvent
Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Update
The OMB released guidance on the new UGG prohibition
on the purchase of telecommunications equipment.
Please note that the prohibition applies to all “expenditures.”
after August 13, 2020, not just new awards after that date.
Please refer to the linked document.
Prohibition on Covered Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment
Recruitment is the life blood of CTE
How are you recruiting?
VIRTUAL RECRUITMENT IS POSSIBLE!
Are you using the most current nondiscrimination required language?
Annual Notification of Nondiscrimination in Career and Technical Education Programs
Date is fast approaching, is your LEA registered to attend?!
Education Pathway Summit
An amazing free VIRTUAL opportunity for Education and Training Students!
Mark February 17th on your calendar and share registration details with your Education and Training Teachers!
Students do not need to register in the ESC system. We will follow up with teachers after they submit their registrations to connect students to the platform. February 17th is the kick-off date; materials will be available for an extended period of time for LEA use.
Did you miss our Region 11 January CTE Leadership Meeting?
Don't fret, we have you covered!
Mark your calendar for the next one on March 31, 2021, at 9:00 a.m.
Associated Industries of Texas
Advocating for students entering the trades!
Texas’ economy is facing a challenge. A significant percentage of our current skilled professionals are at or near retirement age. But our state’s workforce isn’t prepared to fill the positions our retiring workers are creating. Now is the time to act. By working together to change how Texans think about the job opportunities provided by skilled professions, we can inspire this and future generations to pursue a path to high wages and job security that will help strengthen Texas’ position as an economic powerhouse.
FREE K12 Coding/Computer Science/STEM Curriculum
Open to ALL Region 11 LEA Admin/Principals/Teachers
COMPANY: Tynker K12 via a grant
DEADLINE: February 15, 2021, last day to sign up
COST: FREE
REQUIREMENTS:
1) Teachers must attend a 45-minute training/onboarding (Recorded for later access.)
2) Pilot Ends May 31, 2021
3) Students take a pre and post STEM interest survey
4) OPTIONAL Teacher STEM survey
5) OPTIONAL Family Survey
- Web-based and integrates into content courses with access for pre-readers up to Python
- 600+ hours scaffolded curriculum
- 300+ DIY Projects
- 12 STEM Courses with 4 electives: LEGO, micro: bit, AR, drones
- 200+ STEM Coding Course Projects- Integrates coding into all subjects
- Mobile Apps included
- Educator Dashboard with mastery charts included plus 6 other features
- Students are automatically assessed with scorecards and metrics updated in real-time
HOW: Contact Venkat Varada at venkat@tynker.com.
Note: Should any district decide to purchase for the 2021-22 school year, Tynker K12 will work with them on special pricing to help fit their budget needs. Plans for K-2, Elementary and Middle School, or K-8 and High School.
Great Student Competition that Highlights CTE!
Theme: Advancing Space Exploration through Manufacturing
Registrations opening soon!
ESC Region 11 Professional Learning Opportunities
- Managing Work-Based Learning (WBL) for Administrators - April 6, 2021
- Work-Based Learning (WBL) Required Teacher Training - April 20, 2021 (There will be summer opportunities too!)
- Do All Your Students have Equal Access to CTE? OCR Best Practices (Methods of Administration Preparation) - April 27, 2021
Professional Learning that can be done virtually!
Would these teachers benefit from a video showing best practices in action, a glimpse into a classroom where a technique or strategy is being utilized?
This is a great resource!
https://www.teachingchannel.com/
Note: not a free resource, requires a subscription
Texas OnCourse
Understanding Statewide Programs of Study
Need some fresh classroom activity ideas to steal?!
CTAT Winter Conference
Be the change.
Learn from thinkers and innovators in the CTE community.
CTAT Winter brings together CTE administrators, career counselors, and ESC personnel for a three-day event showcasing best practices and strategies, comprehensive CTE program management, college and career guidance, effective business partnerships, and alignment with post-secondary and workforce opportunities.
CTAT Website has updated!
Texas CSTA Chapters Virtual conference 2021
Five Texas CSTA chapters (Alamo, Central Texas, DFW, Greater Houston, and Paso Del Norte) are collaborating this year to offer the Texas CSTA Chapters Virtual Conference 2021 on Saturday, February 13, 2021, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. CST.
Please encourage your CS teachers to participate.
We invite all CTE administrators who support CS to come to learn more about our program.
Check out our website for more information.
https://dfwcsta.com/page/texas-csta-chapters-virtual-conference-2021
Cost:
- $10 CSTA+ members
- $20 CSTA Basic members
- $30 non-members
Call for Proposals: Submit a Proposal - Due December 1, 2020
Student Competition
2020 STEM Video Contest for Middle and High School Students
The 2020 STEM Video Contest, sponsored by State Farm, invites middle school students to describe an engineering career in a self-created video entitled Be An Engineer! High school students are invited to create a fun video around the topic, Improving Life in the Future with Artificial Intelligence! Reaching younger kids to share how inspiring STEM paths are will pay off for these students and our community in the long run.
This contest seeks to help fill the Tech Titans STEM resource vault and provide professionals and educators compelling content to use while working with students. Videos will target elementary students, describe a technology or career, and create excitement about its future and how students can play a part in it. Middle school and high school winners in each area will receive $1,000.
This year, submissions will be accepted starting Thursday, October 1, and are due by Friday, January 15. Winners will be announced by March 1, 2021.
If you know any students who are creative, technical, or think video production is in their future, please let them know about this opportunity. If you know any educators, home-school groups, or parents who would like an activity for their students, please share the STEM Video Contest. Please view our 2019 winners and promotion video to experience some creative and innovative students promoting STEM. All information may be found at STEM Video - Tech Titans.
Volunteers, including technical experts, professionals, educators, and video-production teams, will be needed starting in October to help mentor student teams if they ask for help. Judges are also needed to give feedback to our aspiring producers during an evening set aside for judging in late January/early February 2021. Consider donating some time for this effort or contacting another source to help. Send a note to stem@techtitans.org to sign up for ~5 hours of a time commitment.
ESC Region 11 CTE Website
ESC Region 11 Resources
Other Resources
- ACTE
- CTAT Resources
- Connect CTAT Online Forum
- Resource Google Doc by pathway
- Texas CTE powered by TEA
ESC Region 11 CTE
Career & Technical Education
Email: lharrison@esc11.net
Website: https://www.esc11.net/domain/486
Location: 1451 South Cherry Lane, White Settlement, TX 76108
Phone: (817) 740-7527
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ESC11CTE/
Twitter: @ESC11CTE