1 achievetexas college and career initiative overview and resource materials for social studies...

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AchieveTexas

College and Career Initiative Overview and Resource Materials for Social

Studies Collaboration

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2008.

Helps students plan their educational experience based on their career goals.

Allows students to achieve success by preparing them for secondary and postsecondary opportunities.

Promotes career preparation for high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations, and active citizenship.

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AchieveTexas College and Career Initiative

Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2008. 3

Improve student achievement – both academic and technical.

Promote successful transitions from secondary to postsecondary education.

Support workforce and economic development.

AchieveTexas Goals


Career Development Spans All Grades

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Elementary school focuses on understanding the importance and value of work and jobs.

Middle school focuses on initial career exploration.

High school focuses on programs of study.Postsecondary education or training

focuses on career preparation.


AchieveTexas is based upon…

Concept - Students can succeed in school, career, and life if they plan their own individual college and career success.

Philosophy - No career option is intrinsically better than the other. Whether the choice is right or not depends on the personal goals of the student.

Goal - To prepare students for college and career, and allow them to choose the options that are best for them.


AchieveTexas Framework…

Supports numerous reform initiatives and educational programs, Career Guidance Expectations Career Academies High Schools That Work Small Learning Communities Regional Career Centers Magnet Schools Project Lead The Way Texas Scholars


Exit Level TAKS, 2008Percent Met Standard

Code 0 Code 1 Code 2 Code 3

ELA 91% 89% 91% 93%

Math 79% 75% 79% 83%

Science 81% 77% 81% 83%

Social Studies

95% 94% 95% 97%


AchieveTexas Components

16 National Career Clusters79 Programs of Study (POS)

115+ Models illustrating the POSAvailable at www.achievetexas.org

6 Governor’s Industry Clusters


What are Career Clusters?

A Career Cluster represents a grouping of occupations based on common knowledge and skills required for career success.

Developed in 1999 and encompass virtually all occupations from entry level, through professional.

The 16 Career Clusters are an organizational tool for communities to offer effective preparation for college and a 21st Century Workforce.


Cluster Knowledge and Skills

Academic Foundations Technical Skills Communications Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Information Technology Applications Systems Safety, Health and Environmental Leadership and Teamwork Ethics and Legal Responsibilities Employability and Career Development


What are Programs of Study?

A sub-grouping of occupations within a cluster based on commonalities—there are 79 sub-groupings.

A coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and technical courses that help students prepare for their education and career goals.

Developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among students, parents, secondary and postsecondary education, business, and employers.


Governor’s Industry Clusters for Economic Development

The following careers have been classified as High Demand, High Skill, and High Wage.

1. Advanced Technologies and Manufacturing2. Aerospace and Defense3. Biotechnology and Life Sciences4. Information and Computer Technology5. Petroleum Refining and Chemical Products6. Energy


Social Studies TEKS

Kindergarten - (7) Economics. The student understands the

importance of jobs. The student is expected to: (A) identify jobs in the home, school, and

community; and (B) explain why people have jobs.

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Social Studies TEKS

Grade 1 (9) Economics. The student understands the value of

work. The student is expected to: (A) describe the requirements of various jobs and

the characteristics of a job well-performed; and (B) describe how specialized jobs contribute to the

production of goods and services. (16) Science, technology, and society. The student

understands how technology has affected daily life, past and present. The student is expected to:

(C) describe how technology has changed the way people work.

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Social Studies TEKS

Grade 2 (9) Economics. The student understands the

importance of work. The student is expected to:

(A) explain how work provides income to purchase goods and services; and

(B) explain the choices people in the U.S. free enterprise system can make about earning, spending, and saving money, and where to live and work.

Copyright Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.© Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.1515


Social Studies TEKS

Grade 4 (13) Economics. The student understands patterns of

work and economic activities in Texas. The student is expected to:

(A) explain how people in different regions of Texas earn their living, past and present;

Grade 5 (14) Economics. The student understands patterns of

work and economic activities in the United States. The student is expected to:

(A) analyze how people in different parts of the United States earn a living, past and present;



Implementation Expectations

The goal is for school districts to implement by 2012.

Full implementation means that all of 8 Steps in the Implementation Guide are in place on the local level.


Implementation Guide


8 Steps for System Building

1. Decide to implement AchieveTexas

2. Career Awareness, Exploration, Concentration,

Preparation, and Advancement 3. Add Texas Achievement Plans (TAP)

4. Enhance guidance and counseling

5. Build seamless connections

6. Establish extended learning

7. Build strong partnerships

8. Support intense professional development


Programs of Study Models

Aligned with rigorous academic standards and student achievement standards.

Include Academic and CTE content in a coordinated, non-duplicative progression of courses.

Relevant and challenging at the secondary and postsecondary level.

Reflect employment opportunities in high skill, high wage, or high demand occupations.

Offer opportunities for dual credit. Lead to a degree, certificate, or credential.

AchieveTexas Programs of

Study 115+ Models

Available

What is a Program of Study?

1. Nationally recognized logos identify the Career Cluster for each model.


2. Program of Study names, established in the State's Career Cluster Initiative (www.careerclusters.org ), head each model. They focus attention upon a specific career field within a cluster.


3. Cluster Overviews maintain the 16 U.S. Department of Education Career Cluster definitions.


4. Career goals shown here correlate with occupational names and O*NET codes used by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Use OSCAR (www.ioscar.org) to begin investigating those careers of interest. The "goal" of models is to target In-Demand jobs.


5. Career Options provide examples of contemporary job titles currently appearing in sources, such as WorkInTexas (https://wit.twc.state.tx.us). Jobs are correlated to the postsecondary education typically required for a career.

What is a Program of Study?6. High School Suggested

Coursework highlights the Core Courses and Career-Related Electives recommended to prepare for a career goal. Models are based on the Recommended High School Graduation Plan and can easily be adapted for the Distinguished Achievement High School Graduation Plan. With established models it is easier to anticipate the consequence of curriculum changes, such as when legislation recently increased math and science requirements, or whenever a student decides to modify her/his TAP.


7. Certificates shown on the models are associated with specific courses. Use the Certification Finder at Career InfoNet (www.acinet.org/acinet) to investigate post-secondary certifications.


8. Example Postsecondary program names are identified from the Associates level through Graduate Degrees. Names are based upon the CIP Code Names. Could be edited to highlight local articulation partners.

What is a Program of Study?9. Extended Learning

Experiences include Work-Based Learning, Curricular, and Extracurricular activities. Participation in and support of Career and Technical Student Organizations (i.e. BPA, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, TSA, HOSA, or SkillsUSA) is especially important to AchieveTexas. While campuses might modify their list of Extracurricular and Service Learning Experiences, examples should always cohesively extend meaningful learning in settings suitable and safe for students.

Students could record volunteer service in their portfolios, or participate in a program such as The President's Volunteer Service Award (http://www.presidentialserviceawards.org/index.cfm) where school groups may, likewise, record their service hours.


Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students

1. Ask students to prepare in advance. Equip students with the resources to begin

developing their personalized program of study.

2. Help students choose a cluster. Match student strengths and interests to related

careers.

3. Help students pick a program of study. Refer to the State-recognized programs of study for

suggested academic courses, career electives, and postsecondary options.


Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students Continued

4. Help students identify a career goal . Communicate to students that working

toward a tangible result makes school more relevant.

5. Help students identify a postsecondary goal .

Reinforce the value of lifelong learning by planning for education and training after high school.


Texas Achievement Plan Steps for Students Continued

6. Help students design a course schedule .

Explain that rigorous academic and relevant career classes ensure students can achieve their goals.

7. Encourage extended learning activities. Show students how out-of-class

experiences enhance and expand curriculum.


Career Education Resources

16 College and Career Planning GuidesAvailable in Electronic Magazine Format on

www.achievetexas.org

Counselor Resource GuidePosterResource CD-Rom


College and Career Guides

16Cluster Guides


Each Cluster Guide Includes:

TEA Introduction Governor’s Industry ClustersCareer Planning InformationCareer Clusters and Programs of StudyTexas Achievement Plan


And more great information…

Cluster Profile Career InformationWhat Employers WantCool CareersSpotlight on schoolsExtended learning options


Still More Information…

Portfolio developmentPostsecondary education programsCollege admissionsFinancial AidCareer resources


The Resource Guide…


Talking to Students about AchieveTexas

1. It’s all about them.

2. Exploring career options.

3. Making school matter.

4. Making a plan.

5. Getting a head start.

6. Rising to the top of the pool.

7. Making their diploma worth more.


Talking to Parents aboutAchieveTexas

1. Connecting classroom to careers.2. Every student benefits.3. Designed to fit each student.4. Providing direction5. Taking responsibility.6. Meeting state standards.7. Flexibility.8. Parents play a key role.

www.AchieveTexas.org


Website Resources for Career Education

America's Career Research Networkwww.acrnetwork.org

States’ Career Cluster Initiativewww.careerclusters.org

America’s Career InfoNetwww.acinet.org/acinet

Career Voyageswww.careervoyages.gov

CollegeforTexans.comwww.collegefortexans.com

O*NET (Occupational Information Network)online.onetcenter.org

Reality Checkwww.cdr.state.tx.us/RealityCheck/

Texas Workforce Commissionhttp://www.twc.state.tx.us/

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Outlook Handbookwww.bls.gov/oco

www.achievetexas.org

www.lmci.state.tx.us/index.asp

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Elementary School Career Resources

Currently limited resourcesCollaboration between CTE and

Social Studies for resource development

Resources that address an understanding of work and jobs

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Elementary level activities workbook Activities are intended to be fun and

challenging. Designed around the building blocks of the

elementary National Career Development Guidelines with the goal of raising career awareness.

50 Copyright Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.© Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.

Middle School Tabloid Exploration Generate Alternatives Parent’s Guide Predict Outcomes Select An Option Re-Evaluation

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI), and Career Development Resources (CDR)


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High School Tabloid Step 1: Engage Step 2: Understand Step 3: Explore Step 4: Evaluate Step 5: Act Step 6: Reflect

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), Labor Market and Career Information (LMCI), and Career Development Resources (CDR)

Copyright Copyright © Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.© Texas Education Agency, 2008. All Rights Reserved.