*Image source: http://www.globalfoodschool.org/
I received 2 emails from friend and mentor, Mike Thompson, this week. Mike is a fellow member of the PA Career Development Leaders Network. He has asked that I share this information. This information is important to all educators but if you are currently working to comply with PA Chapter 339 school counselling plan, you will find this information particularly useful.
#1
Dear Colleagues,
At a recent board meeting of the Capital Region Partnership for Career Development a motion was approved to allow non-profit school districts in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania the right to print the “I” Statements without a cost under the condition that recognition be given on all printed documents to the Partnership. A finalized draft of this statement will be forthcoming. In the meantime, permission to print the attached documents is allowed (links to I Statemnents and ASCA Crosswalk below). The attached documents are without the watermark that says, “Do Not Copy”. Please keep the statement at the bottom and the attached logo.
The intent of these “I” Statements is to give school districts a manageable way to integrate the Career Education and Work Standards into all grade bands (K-12) and across disciplines. Another possible benefit of using these outcome statements is to develop a K-12 gap analysis where educators can strategically develop career development interventions to address all 4 grade bands and 4 strands over time. Additionally, these can serve as a great resource for parent and even IEP transition conferences when used in the form of a Career Portfolio.
A revised statement at the top of all four of the documents describes the intent of the “I” statement outcomes.
Currently, I am contracted to assist counselors within school districts across Pennsylvania to comply with the Chapter 339 requirement of developing a K-12 Guidance plan. The Pa. School Counselors Association has developed a Companion Guide to the ASCA National Model and a corresponding toolkit/implementation guide. The three domains that counselors are to impact for all students are:
v Academic Development
v Personal/Social Development
v Career Development
The CEW Standards and the ASCA Career Standards are aligned to enhance the career development/maturity of all students K-12. (Attached is a first draft crosswalk of the ASCA Career Standards and the Pa. Career Standards, compliments of Donna Cartia and Judy Bookhamer).
The “I” Statements can be used by school districts to assist counselors developing a K-12 plan for cross discipline integration. I am very excited about the opportunity that school districts and all of their stakeholders have in developing a plan for career development for all students. Forward this email to as many people that you feel may benefit from its contents.
Please contact me if you have questions.
Mike
PA CEW and ASCA Crosswalk & “I” Statements
PA Career, Educaiton and Work Standards
#2
Dear Colleagues,
Attached is a PDF of the 16 career clusters and the 5 career pathways model that is used by Middletown Area School District(and many others across the nation). The statement below is the rationale for using a cluster/pathway approach in education. Notice that this addresses academic and career maturity simultaneously. All stakeholder groups are addressed in this approach. Thinking with the “end in mind” for all students is critical. College and Career Readiness for all students and potential workers is our goal! Comprehensive Career Development leads to greater workforce development and ultimately the economic development of local communities and the nation(The“3 D’s”).
Career Clusters/Pathways Deliver Multiple Benefits
High Schools can be organized around career clusters/pathways to prepare students to meet the demands of postsecondary education and the expectations of employers.
Educators can use a curriculum framework that can be adapted to meet local needs. Assessments will be developed for each cluster, which educators can use to gauge how well they are meeting the academic and career needs of all students, regardless of their interests or employment goals.
School Counselors can use career clusters/pathways to help students explore options for the future. Current information on the academic,technical, and college requirements students need for a wide range of careers can be found in the current Career Clusters/Pathways Knowledge and Skills and Career Clusters/Pathways Plans of Study.
Employers and Industry Groups can partner with schools to contribute to the development of high academic standards that help students prepare for work and help workers keep their skill up-to-date. Employers gain workers prepared to learn new skills, adjust to technological change, and advance in their careers.
Parentscan learn what academic and technical courses their children need for college and a variety of career fields. Clusters/Pathways and the high standards that go with them reassure parents that their children will be fully prepared for college and the workplace.
Students can use career clusters/pathways to investigate a wide range of career choices. The career cluster/pathway approach makes it easier for students to understand the relevance of their required courses and helps them select their elective courses more wisely.
www.careerclusters.org —–Check it out!
Mike
Popular Career Cluster Format in PA high schools
Michael D. Thompson
Filed under: Career Development K12, Curriculum and Instruction, K12 | Tagged: American School Counselors Association, ASCA, Big Picture, Career Development, Common Core, Curriculum, Education, graduation requirements, PA Chaper 339, Pennsylvania, Professional Development, SAS, School Counseling |
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