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In the absence of Co-chairs Tim Herman and Richard Shaink, Vice Chair Gary Tower called the meeting to order at 8:10 a.m.
1. Introductions
All in attendance introduced themselves. Bettye Harris, Career Technical Education Director, Flint Community Schools, will be serving (ex-officio) on the EAG replacing Pat Forshee who has retired.
2.
Workforce Investment Act (WIA)
Lisa Seigel, Shiawassee RESD, reported that the WIA year-round program, which is currently serving 25 students, is going well. The drop in numbers from last year’s program is due to the grant reduction of $100,000. All students are enrolled, working, and on track for graduation. Attendance has been good. A student training session focusing on completing employment applications is scheduled for April. ISAFE, an internet safety course, is also being taught. Shiawassee is awaiting the RFP to write for this year’s 2005 summer program.
Troy Napier, Baker College - Owosso, reported on the dislocated worker, adult, and youth programs operating at Baker. The dislocated worker and adult programs use $48,000 of retraining dollars that focus on short-term training for automotive, welding and business classes. Approximately 167 persons have participated in all three programs.
Troy also reported that Baker College is currently running a $3 million building project for a 24,000 square foot conference center which will host administrative, career services, corporate and nonprofit meetings, conferences and activities.
Donna Burmeister reported that all students in the WIA year-round program have been placed. Due to reduced funding, 40 students are participating as compared to 100 students last year. Placements for work experience are made in both the public and private sectors. A transition meeting has been scheduled for March, 2005.
3.
Perkins/Tech Prep Update
Gary Tower reported that all local districts running CTE programs in Genesee County are receiving Perkins and Tech Prep dollars. Funds are designated for program improvement and special needs. The 2005-06 Career Initiative Grant for Perkins and Tech Prep is due to the state May 1, 2005.
Brian Pyles reported that a regional Tech Prep Workshop for Shiawassee County is scheduled for March 4, 2005. The conference will focus on professional development for paraprofessionals. He will also be attending the MOSPA (Michigan Occupational Special Populations Association) Conference in April.
Sherry Bradish reported that the Tech Prep regional partnership with secondary and postsecondary CTE programs and instructors has met three to four times this year to create and update articulation agreements, planning and participating in professional development, and connecting business and industry to support and strengthen the partnership.
Tom Svitkovich recently attended the National School Boards Assocation - Federal Relations Network Conference in Washington, D.C., and updated the committee on the Bush Administration’s education agenda. He stated that it seems the intent of the Administration is to divert/shift Tech Prep dollars. This change would not be favorable for K-12 education, but more favorable for postsecondary education. Gary Tower and Dr. Svitkovich encouraged members of the committee to visit www.acteonline.org for help in generating communication to legislators and senators supporting Perkins and Tech Prep. Tom suggested the new focus is on the three “R”s that seem to be noted strongly in the new legislation (rigor, relationship, relevance). Gary noted that 77% of CTE high school students in our region are pursuing postsecondary education. Of the 77%, there are 42% in two-year and 36% in four-year college programs. Statistics showed that 88% of students graduated, 63% are working, 1% are in the military, and .02% are unemployed.
4. Grant Updates
Donna Burmeister reported on the Bringing Relevancy to Education grant. The grant, which provided female students grades 8-11 an opportunity to explore nontraditional careers, ran from February 2004 to December 2004. Students visited many work sites in Genesee County (Rowe, Inc.; The Flint Cultural Center; Mott Community College - Regional Technology Center; GM Truck and Bus and PowerTrain plants; and the GASC Technology Center and Base Camp). VID Cam produced an impressive video depicting many highlights of the program. This video was shared with the EAG at the close of the meeting. This video will also be shared at the Governor’s Conference on February 14 in Detroit.
Sherry Bradish reported that an Entrepreneurship grant, made possible through the Governor’s Initiative and the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth, was submitted on November 1 and awarded in December 2004. The $66,200+ grant focuses on developing entrepreneurship curriculum, professional development, and implementation through August 2005. The intent of the grant is to introduce entrepreneurship into CTE and core academic areas in Genesee and Shiawassee Counties. The DACUM (Developing a Curriculum) process will be bringing in successful entrepreneurs to share knowledge and experiences and support the development of classroom materials, web resources, and professional development. Brian Pyles indicated that curriculum units will be developed to build the entrepreneurship spirit. The modules will be broad-based across curriculum areas.
Gary Tower stated that 15 marketing instructors attended a regional Tech Prep Workshop on February 4, 2005, at Mott Community College. The group is interested in working with DACUM and screening and identifying community entrepreneurs. Teachers from local districts and instructors from Mott have written 30 articulation agreements for the 2005-06 school year.
Dr. Julianne Princinsky stated that Dr. John Cote, Dean of Business Administration at Baker, works with 100+ family business representatives to develop centers to support entrepreneurship and small business management. Julianne suggested that Dr. Cote be contacted for names of successful entrepreneurs.
TRAC Update
Gary Tower reported that local districts are currently in the TRAC review process. Upon completion, 100 programs will have finished the review process during the current year. A full, on-site review by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Growth - Office of Career and Technical Preparation of our Region 15 will be completed in 2006-07.
5. Career
Planning/EDP Update
Gary Tower and Donna Burmeister will be presenting the Bringing Relevance to Education video and the Career Planning/EDP Initiative for Genesee County at the Governor’s Conference, February 14, 2005, in Detroit.
Donna reported that all schools are working their 2004-05 CP/EDP plans. Planning meetings for the 2005-06 school year are scheduled for March 14, 15, and 22 and April 13. EDP plans will be in place and approved before next school year. GISD staff were interviewed by MOIS (Michigan Occupational Information System) representatives. The EDP Model will be featured in the winter 2005 MOIS newsletter. Donna also reported that parent groups have shown strong interest in the Davison and Flushing School Districts.
Rhetta Hunyady shared about career-related activities of the Genesee Area Focus Council. Over the past three years, the Focus Council has been in the process of examining strategic planning and workforce preparation. They are continuing to partner with schools and employers. They have well surpassed their goal of planning 20 events with 96 events planned. The Greater Flint Educational Consortium - Beyond High School initiative is in its second year. Eighth grade students are bused to postsecondary institutions to introduce them to educational options beyond high school. The Focus Council will be managing the Summer Youth Initiative this year serving approximately 300 14-18 year olds. Please contact Rhetta if you are interested in participating in this program at
810-232-6420.
Dr. Julianne Princinsky, Baker College - Flint, updated the group on the new admissions center and classrooms building project at Baker. She offered to host the fall EAG meeting at Baker, along with a tour of the new facility.
Beverly Brown, GASC, informed the group of the GASC Technology Center Open House, Thursday, February 10, 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Demonstrations and activities of the various program offerings will take place. Gary Tower stated that Genesee County superintendents recently toured the facility and were impressed with new programs and professional staff.
Next Meeting
The next meeting of the
EAG is scheduled for Monday, May 2, 2005, 8:00 a.m. (location to be
determined).
With no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 a.m.
Approval of Minutes:
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Dr. M. Richard Shaink, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)
Mr. Tim Herman, Co-Chair, EAG (Date)