program analysis – part a

Program Analysis – Part AHealth Sciences CTE ProgramBy: Sarah Miles

CTE Mission: To empower all students to be successful citizens, workers and leaders in a global economy.

RationaleI chose Health Science Education program to

analyze because it is such a big part of the CTE program at my school and in my county.

Each year, North Wilkes High School graduates an average of 20 students who are eligible for CNA certification and licensure.

Each of the other three high schools in our county graduate with a similar average figure, which means that roughly 80 students are graduating from Wilkes County high schools annually with the potential to acquire work in the medical field as a CNA.

RationaleThe students who graduate as a completer in the

CTE Health Science program are some of the brightest students in the CTE arena; they must go through rigorous course work, compete for a limited numbers of slots for clinical internship, and complete all program requirements before they are eligible to test.

Not only has the program become one of the most elite in the county, it produces quality students who desire to pursue training and/or a career in the medical field. Additionally, and of great note, students who focus on CTE courses in high school have a higher graduation rate than those who do not participate in CTE courses

RationaleAdditionally, and of great note,

students who focus on CTE courses in high school have a higher graduation rate than those who do not participate in CTE courses.

Why CTE? Fast FactsIn 2012, 94% of North Carolina’s students

graduated from high school when they completed a 4-credit CTE pathway compared to 80.4% for all graduates statewide.

Nearly 800,000 seats are filled each day in CTE classes within North Carolina.

In 2010, the statewide youth unemployment rate (ages 16-19) was 27.0%. This rate dropped to 5.4% for high school graduates with a CTE concentration.

Source: NCACTE, 2012

More Fast FactsIn 2011-2012, nearly 29,250 students

earned 91,629 industry-recognized credentials in varying areas, from Microsoft Office Specialist to Certified Nursing Assistant to automotive technology.

6,172 career and technical educators serve our state’s students.

Career and Technical Education develops high quality programs through business and industry engagement.

Source: NCACTE, 2012

Program DesignHealth Science Education is a broad curriculum at the

middle and high school levels that provides students with meaningful instruction for and about health care careers.

Health Science Education plays a major role in meeting present and predicted needs for health care professionals within a health care delivery system characterized by diversity and changing technologies.

Health Science Education is designed to prepare graduates as viable competitors in the health care industry and for advanced educational opportunities. Literacy and numeracy skills are an integral part of the health science program.

Source: NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2015

Program DesignDevelopment of 21st century skills including

collaboration, critical thinking, economic literacy, entrepreneurial skills, and problem-solving is a part of each of the career pathways. Opportunities to develop and apply leadership, social, civic, and health care skills are provided through Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA), the Career and Technical Student Organization for health science education.

Integration of the health science program with appropriate academic concepts/courses is strongly encouraged.


Program DesignThe Health Science Education curriculum is designed to enable students to:1. Select health career majors suited to their individual needs,

aptitudes, abilities, and career development plan.2. Develop sound fundamentals based on National Health Care Skill

Standards.3. Successfully pursue advanced education and/or entry-level

employment in a health career cluster.4. Develop basic workplace skills and function as ethical and moral

health team members.5. Acquire and use information relevant to remaining technologically

abreast of their chosen health career majors.6. Develop a professional philosophy as evidenced in personal

qualities and practices that improve the delivery of quality health care and health maintenance to consumers.

7. Become knowledgeable consumers of health care in a consistently changing technological environment.


Standard Course of StudyThe standard course of study

may include the following:◦Health Team Relations◦Health Science I◦Health Science II◦Nursing Fundamentals – student cap

at 10◦Advanced Studies – this course may

vary in curriculum

Source: NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2015, p. 14

Intended PopulationThe intended population for the Health Science Education program is high school students who express an interest in medical training and/or careers. The program provides an opportunity for students to explore possible careers in the health science arena.

Student Achievement DataHealth Science Education courses

provide students opportunities to obtain industry certifications. Students may prepare to earn certifications in Nurse Aide I and Pharmacy Technician.

Wilkes County is 6th in North Carolina for credentialing in Nurse Aide I (CNA)

Source: NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2015.

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATAWilkes County ranks 5th overall for credentialing students in CTE programs.

Source: NC Dept. of Public Instruction, 2015.

Student Achievement DataAccording to NC CTE performance indicators,

76% of students at North Wilkes High School are proficient in Health Science assessments.

73.9% of Health Science students in Wilkes County are proficient.

Proficiency is classified as scoring 77% or better on VoCATs testing.

The current state average proficiency is 83%.

Source: "CTE planning & performance management system," 2014.

Student Achievement Data100% of Health Sciences students at

North Wilkes High School graduate

Source: "CTE planning & performance management system," 2014.

Conclusions from DataThe Health Science Program is

successful in Wilkes and at North Wilkes High School for the following reasons:◦Students are interested in learning

about and pursuing careers in the medical field

◦Students are provided and taught a robust curriculum that is aligned with state testing

◦Students are taught by experts in their field of study

AssessmentVoCATS is a competency-based instruction management system that supports North Carolina’s public school career and technical education (CTE) program. North Carolina’s public school CTE program is based on the state’s career clusters model. VoCATS is used throughout the state, primarily by high school CTE (i.e., vocational) teachers, counselors, and administrators for:• Course and lesson planning;• Student assessment before, during, and after instruction;• Documentation of student achievement, including evaluation of the mastery of required competencies; and• Accountability and generating reports by student, teacher, class, school, and district.

AssessmentAll VoCATS materials are available throughout the state and are distributed electronically for use by teachers, counselors, administrators, and other instructional support personnel. Four interrelated products are supported and available through VoCATS:1. Course blueprints;2. Aligned curriculum documents;3. Classroom assessment banks; and4. Accountability assessment banks.

Exception to VoCATSIf a student gains certification as

a Nurse Aide I prior to VoCATS testing, the student is exempt from VoCATS.

Source: NCWD/Youth, 2012

Teacher Qualifications Health Occupations Education Registered Nurse (May teach all Health Occupations Education courses and Nursing Assistant

I/Feeding Assistant) Eligibility Requirements: Degree Bachelor’s degree in Nursing OR Associate’s degree in Nursing OR nondegreed Registered Nurse (diploma graduate) from a state or nationally accredited

institution Work Experience

◦ BS Nursing--two years within past five years◦ AD Nursing--four years within past eight years◦ Diploma Nursing – five years within past eight year.◦ Two years work experience for AD Nurse and three years for Diploma

Nurse is held in escrow and released for pay purposes if a four year nursing degree is completed

An active North Carolina license as a registered nurse; license must be clear of restrictions.

Note: Post-secondary teaching experience is considered relevant is if clinical observation of students is a job function.

Source: NCWD/Youth, 2012

Teacher QualificationsCertification Credential Certification/Documentation must be submitted to NCDPILicensure. Clearing specific requirements: Registered Nurse Coursework (18 semester hours

with a minimum of 6 semester hours per school year) A total of 15 semester hours are required from the following courses:

◦ Curriculum, Instructional Planning, and Assessment◦ Instructional Methods◦ Reading in the Content Area Methods◦ Meeting Special Learning Needs; Exceptionalities; Diversity◦ Classroom Management OR Learning Theory; Learning Styles; Motivation; How Adolescents

Learn 3 semester hours are required from one the following elective courses:

◦ Career and Technical Student Organizational Management◦ Educational/Instructional Technology◦ Health Careers/Health Industry Survey◦ Biotechnology

Praxis II is not required The 80-hour Health Occupations New Teacher Induction Program approved by the

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Division of Career and Technical Education is required.

Source: NC DPI, 2012, p. 21-27

StrengthsTeachers must have experience

in the medical field; content expert

Provides students opportunity to explore interests in medical careers

Students may obtain credentialing as a CNA

Produces job and/or college ready students

WeaknessesVoCATS test bank and formal

curriculum are not regularly aligned and updated with industry standards

Training equipment and clinical experiences are costly

Difficulty finding qualified medical professionals who are willing to take a pay cut for teaching

Future Health ScienceThe long range plan for Wilkes County high schools that participate in Health Science program include:

◦Add Medical Assisting as a CTE pathway◦Add additional pathways that result in

certification or credentialing◦ Increase enrollment in program◦Continue to collaborate with stakeholders

to meet educational and workforce needsSource: "CTE planning & performance management system," 2014.

ReflectionNorth Carolina is far ahead of many states when it comes to CTE programs. In a recent article in the Telegraph Herald, Iowa leaders are trying to change public opinion about stigmas surround CTE programs, formerly known as vocational training. Sean Lynch, a spokesman for the Virginia-based Association for Career and Technical Education recently shared the following wisdom to Iowa lawmakers when consider the cost and benefits of CTE, “"if they don't understand what CTE looks like, they might not understand why investing in it is a wise decision” (Associated Press, 2015). I’m extremely proud of North Carolina for leading the way in CTE programs so our students and economy can meet the needs of our state and nation.

ReferencesAssociated Press. (2015, November 1). Officials: Skilled labor training near overhaul. Telegraph Herald [Des Moines]. Retrieved from http://www.thonline.com/news/iowa-illinois-wisconsin/article_6391acf7-8ba2-5dba-a99a-306369bae0ad.htmlCTE planning & performance management system. (2014, May 15). Retrieved from http://ctelps.dpi.state.nc.us/ctelps1415Plan.nsfHealth science. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/cte/program-areas/health/NC Dept. of Public Instruction. (2012). Executive summary: Revisions to CTE licensure (TCP 2). Retrieved from http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/sbe-archives/meetings/2012/02/tcp/02tcp02.pdfNC Dept. of Public Instruction. (2015). Career and technical education health science. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/cte/program-areas/health/NC Dept. of Public Instruction. (2015). 2014-15 credentialing data. Retrieved from http://www.dpi.state.nc.us/docs/cte/certification-report.pdfNCACTE. (2012). NCACTE Official Website. Retrieved from http://www.ncacteonline.org/news.htmlNCWD/Youth. (2012). North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Division. Retrieved from www.ncwd-youth.info/node/1338