Your Logo Here Career and Technical Education in the Great Falls Public Schools
An overview Career and Technical Education courses provide academic and technical knowledge and skills to prepare for further education and careers in current or emerging employment sectors. These programs focus on career preparation, resource management, communication, technical skill development, applied academics, technological literacy, personal skills and leadership. One credit is required by the Montana Office of Public Instruction for graduation There are some 45 high school and middle school teachers teaching 50 courses in these four general disciplines: Health Science (Med Prep) Industrial Technology Business Family and Consumer Sciences
These aren t your Dad s shop or your Mom s home ec classes By the numbers: 2,800 students are in Career and Tech Ed courses 66 percent of all Class of 2012 students earned 3 CTE credits (six semesters). Sort of majoring in CTE 857 students took industrial tech classes in auto, metals, electricity (solar/wind), woods, construction, drafting and agriculture 600 students took business ed courses in marketing, accounting, entrepreneurship 550 Family and Consumer Sciences students took classes in foods, interior design, textiles, early childhood and prep for life 400 students took medical occupations courses that included dual college credits in advanced biology and EMT early responders with another 50 earning their Certified Nursing Assistant credential Our construction tech students build two houses a year in partnership with NeighborWorks and sold to low and moderate income buyers 63 students were part of a GFHS Early Childhood Education class that interned at the Skyline ELF pre-school 32 percent of our Paris students have received 63 percent of our auto students remaining in the auto field
The need Cascade County is at over 6 percent unemployment rate. This has increased from 2.2 percent five years ago. Full employment is 4 percent. There are critical shortages of workers in the skilled trades (carpenters, plumbers, welders, electricians), hospitality workers, and health care workers Many of these jobs pay better than those requiring a college degree
Who s enrolled A credit of career and technical education is a graduation requirement. More than 60 percent of all Great Falls high school students are enrolled in a CTE (hands-on, practical) class at any time.
Special events Career fairs Construction Trades/ Apprenticeship Rodeo and Fair Health Careers Fair
High school houses Two houses are under construction by Great Falls High and CMR students in conjunction with NeighborWorks Interior Design class students help plan furnishings, and a landscape class at CMR helps with outside design.
Pre-construction students sell storage units they build in class. CMR Woodshop class makes and sells swings and beds. North Middle School shop classes run a laser engraver business. Business enterprises DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America) stores for students at CMR and GFHS
Paris Gibson Education Center businesses A number of businesses at Paris Gibson Education Center: The Company that runs a school café and catering business, Lynx Grafix that does T-shirt and mug design, and Paris Gibson Designs, that does business cards, calendars, photos and even Web pages.
Meeting new needs A wind generator was erected in November 2008 at CMR and solar panels at GFHS in spring 2010 anticipating the boom in alternative power source jobs. More solar panels will be installed. The Auto Tech Center opened in Fall 2006 at Paris Gibson School to train technicians. Partnership with five auto dealerships that put up $15,000 each to fund center: Bison, Bennett, City, Taylor Brothers, and Lithia. All business ed classes operate on a Company model Dress up day at Rustler Inc business ed class based on Company model Wind generator goes up at CMR in Fall 2008 Instruction at Paris Gibson Education Center ASE Auto Tech Center.
Beyond the classroom There are more than 715 juniors in the Job Shadowing program that offers 325 shadows. Many students earn credits by taking Work Experience courses and working part-time and a new internship program is rapidly growing.
National Career Readiness Certificate As a result of partnerships with local businesses the district helps students achieve the National Career Readiness Certificate. Some 377 students have earned the certificate and some 20 businesses have agreed to recognize it in hiring in some fashion.
Beyond the district Students are enrolled in dual credit courses at MSU- Great Falls College of Technology in welding and EMT (first responders) basic. Med Prep students train at Benefis with nurses to qualify as Certified Nursing Assistants. We ll have 50 CNAs this year.
Little known facts Enrollment is high. More than 60 percent of the high school graduates are Vocational Concentrators by taking three CTE credits or more before they graduate. Post-secondary credit which saves time and money for students is available through Dual Enrollment opportunities. Work Experience allows students to receive credit while working for wages on a job. Career and Technical Education has strong partnerships with the local business community and uses Advisory Boards for five content areas. Additional funding comes from a state allocation and from a Carl Perkins federal grant.
Student organizations Career and Technical Organizations: Business Professionals of America (BPA), Association of Marketing Students (DECA), Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) Industrial Technology Students (SKILLS USA/VICA) Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) FFA These organizations enhance education with a co-curricular option that motivates students through competitive events with an emphasis on leadership, citizenship and specific skills. GFPS also requires all Middle School students to take a quarter (each year) in Industrial Technology and Family and Consumer Science. These courses familiarize students with woods, technology, home maintenance, textiles, foods and personal/family issues. These curricula provide an introduction to the high school courses. North Middle School Company that uses a laser engraver to learn technology and computer skills as well as how to operate a company and turn a profit.
Other facts: Field trips include local eateries to find out how they cater to clients Career classes include: Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation class, entrepreneurship class, consumer mechanics class, applied physics class, and landscape design class.
Big Sky Pathways GFPS is a leader in developing Big Sky Pathways that help students make college and career choices Pathways are developed in conjunction with colleges, business and community partners and reflect local workforce needs This is a lengthy process but we have seven Pathways developed with many of those in the rigorous phase
Montana Career Information System
The future Career or Learning academies Ready to work certification More partnerships with the community Big Sky Pathways being developed Graduates of the 2012 Paris Ed Center CNA class. The number of CNA classes has grown from one to five in the past several years to meet demand.
How you can help Volunteer to be a Career Presenter at Career Fairs Volunteer to be a job shadow mentor We re looking for sponsors for various events and programs. We re looking for a sponsor for WorkKeys tests to prepare students for the National Career Readiness Certificate Talk up Career and Technical Education Veterinarian Kelly Manzer volunteered her time to present to the 8 th Grade Career Fair in 2006.
Contact Tom Kotynski Career and Technical Ed supervisor Great Falls Public Schools 268 6024 tom_kotynski@gfps.k12.mt.us Career and Technical Education Web page: http://www.gfps.k12.mt.us/departments/careerandtechnical education