S.D. No.34 - AbbotsfordCareer Program Review Action Plan

Presented to the Board of Education Nov. 2, 2009

Patricia Tebbutt,

District Principal - Career Programs

RECOMMENDATIONS to

The Board of Educationof

School District No. 34 - Abbotsford

The following recommendations are the outcome of the 2008/09 Career Programs Review prepared by Consultant, Mrs. Vicki Munn.

They hinge on the recognized need for strong District direction and consistency across all schools, and for equity of student access to career development activities.

ACTION PLAN

The following Action Plan has been put together in response to the recommendations made in the District Career Program Review.

The District Principal of Career Programs would like to acknowledge the hard work of the District Steering Committee members: Mr. Steve Carlton - Assistant Superintendent, Mr. Glen Roger, Principal - Yale Secondary, Mr. Rob Comeau, Principal - WJM, Mr. Lance McDonald, Principal - AC, Mr. Brad Hutchinson, Principal - AVS, Mr. George Boer, V.P. Bakerview Centre for Learning, Mr. Rick McDonald and Mrs. Joanne Snow - Career Facilitators.

Recommendation #1:

That the Abbotsford Board of Education support the development of a district-wide comprehensive Career Development Program for all students.

Response:

A District Career Programs Steering Committee was formed in June 2009.

The committee met on Sept. 30, 2009, Oct. 21, 2009 and Oct. 28, 2009 to discuss the recommendations and to provide future direction for Career Development.

Recommendation #2:

That a clearly defined Career Development Scope & Sequence (K-12) be developed and shared throughout the District to reduce ambiguity and promote a cohesive career development program delivery for all students.

Response:

The District Career Programs Principal has initiated discussion with the Director of Curriculum to develop a clearly defined Career Development Scope & Sequence (K-12).

The Career Programs Department has set a goal of Jan. 2011 for the completion of the S.D. #34 Career Development Scope & Sequence (K-12).

Recommendation #3:

The Career Programs Department develop a comprehensive Career Programs Department Policy Manual to support the implementation and delivery of career development programs and initiatives.

Response:The Career Programs Principal has begun the work of compiling a District Career Programs Department Policy Manual to support the implementation and delivery of career development programs and initiatives and has set a target date for June 2010.

Recommendation #4:

The Career Program Review Report recommends the Abbotsford Board of Education review the roles/responsibilities and the administrative structure for the position of the Career Programs Vice Principal.

Response:

The position of the Career Programs Vice Principal was reclassified to District Principal - Career Programs effective July 1, 2009.

Recommendation #5:

The Career Program Review Report recommends the Career Program Administrator review the roles/responsibilities of the District Career Coordinator for the position of CTC Department Head.

Response:The Career Programs Principal along with the Assistant Superintendent responsible for Career Programs has reviewed the roles and responsibilities of the CTC Department Head and recommend that the position be reclassified to District Career Program Coordinator as of July 1, 2010.

Recommendation #6:

That Abbotsford School District Administrators, in consultation with the Career Programs Administrator, assign an appropriate Career Development Facilitator staffing allocation to ensure the implementation and continued support of the career development standards and expectations as required by the Ministry of Education.

Response:

The District Principal - Career Programs along with the Assistant Superintendent will work with Secondary Principals and review Career Program staffing allocations on an annual basis.

Recommendation # 7:

That a part-time clerk typist be assigned to assist the Youth Care Worker responsible for placing Special Needs students on work experience in the community.

Response:The District Principal - Career Programs recommends that the District Clerical for Career Programs (.5FTE) be increased to 1.0 FTE so that additional clerical time be provided to assist the Work Study Coordinator responsible for placing Special Needs students on work experience effective July 1, 2010.

Recommendation #8:

That the Career Programs Administrator maintains the Career Programs Department Budget for all District Career Programs, including ACE IT programs.

The recommendation supports the provision of a centralized budget to support the delivery of District ACE IT Programs due to the complexity of the program funding and student tracking systems.

Response:The District Career Programs Principal will maintain the budget for all District Career Programs, including ACE IT programs starting July 1, 2010.

Recommendation #9:

That Abbotsford School District Administrators support the design of a Career Resource Centre serviced by a Career Centre Assistant (CCA) at each secondary school (Grade 9-12).

Response:

The District Career Programs Principal will continue to work with school principals to promote the design of Career Resource Centres as budget and space allows.

The District Career Programs Steering Committee recommends the addition of Career Resource Centres by Sept. 2015.

Recommendation #10:

The review supports the Regionalization of District Career Programs in support of career development for all students.

The District Career Program staff would assume the administrative and organizational responsibilities for all District Career Programs.

Response:

The District Principal - Career Programs in collaboration with the District Programs Steering Committee has prepared a Regionalization Business Plan (Draft).

Recommendation #11:

That the Career Programs Department, in consultation with Abbotsford School District Administrators, develop career programs specific to the needs of at-risk students.

Response:

The District Principal - Career Programs has initiated discussion with the District Principals of Aboriginal Education and ESL/SWIS as well as with Principals of The Bakerview Centre for Learning and Abbotsford Virtual School to assess need for career programming opportunities.

Proposed District Career Programs Staffing Structure

District Principal - Career ProgramsP. Tebbutt

Dist. CP Coordinator Dist. CP Help Teacher1.0 FTE

1.0 Clerical Work Study Coordinator

Secondary Career Facilitators

Career Centre Assistants (CCAs)