Pennsylvania Department of Education Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Education 333 Market Street Harrisburg, PA 171260333 Professional Education Report Tuesday, June 07, 2011 (Last Approved: Wednesday, October 01, 2008) Entity: Eastern Westmoreland CTC Address: 4904 Route 982 Latrobe, PA 156502399 Phone:724.539.9788 Contact Name: Marie Bowers
Professional Education Planning Committee Name Affiliation Membership Category Appointed By Ben Shaw Eastern Westmoreland CTC Secondary School Teacher Gary Zacur Eastern Westmoreland CTC Secondary School Teacher Joy Gezo Jeanne Gundy Heather Kaecher Marie Bowers Lisa Newhouse Todd Weimer William Beldham Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center Tech Prep Facilitator Eastern Westmoreland CTC Special Education Representative Ed Specialist School Counselor Ed Specialist School Counselor Peers EWCTC Education Association Marie Bowers Administrator Administration Director Eastern Westmoreland CTC Administrator EWCTC Administration EWCTC Other EWCTC Administration Eastern Westmoreland CTC Administrator EWCTC Administration Eastern Westmoreland CTC Ed Specialist Instructional Technology EWCTC Administration Needs Assessment Eastern Westmoreland CTC conducted a comprehensive assessment to determine the educational needs of the staff, students and the community. Information for the needs assessment was gathered from research and surveys of the school, the community, and local business and industry. The following components and their elements were the sources of information used by the Professional Education Committee to formulate the Professional Education Plan. Enrollment/Student Population enrollment statistics for secondary and postsecondary students, enrollment of handicapped and educationally disadvantaged students, student population by district and grade level, percent of students from sending school districts, enrollment projections. Curriculum/Assessment/Graduation Requirements plan for curriculum development, portfolio description, district graduation requirements. Local Advisory Committee, Perkins Participatory Planning Committee, Professional Advisory Committee, Strategic Plan Steering Committee, Occupational Advisory Committee and Joint Operating Committee input was solicited to determine the needs of the school. PSSA data was used to identify the academic needs of our students. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI) data was used to assess students technical needs.
Support Services overview of Career Education, Learning Support Programs, Job Placement, Post Secondary Opportunities. Business/Industry Occupational Advisory Committee recommendations, partnership designs, Tech Prep, Apprenticeship, workbased learning, SchooltoWork. Job Outlook/Followup studies Graduate Follow Up Survey, Job placement summaries of previous years, summary of placement into employment and post secondary education for high school and adult students. Technology Survey Students and staff were surveyed regarding technology use and needs. The results indicated a strong need to increase the technology skills for all students, staff and community residents. Employers indicated the use of computers in all occupations and industries, substantiating a need for students to possess the computer skills necessary to compete in today s workforce. Teacher/Staff Survey Teachers and staff were asked about their professional development needs through a local survey ( Professional Education Needs Assessment ) as well as the the SREB Technology Centers that Work Teacher Survey Report. The results were compiled to help the Professional Education Planning Committee identify specific needs by cluster and those concerns which should be addressed in the school s Act 48 Professional Development and Induction Plans. The results of the surveys follow. Results of Professional Education Survey The Professional Education Needs Assessment survey was distributed to the faculty in January 2011. The response rate of the surveys was one hundred percent (100%). The survey instrument collected two types of information faculty background and areas of need. Faculty Profile The first section of the survey collected information describing the staff s work experience, educational background, and certification. Highlights of the results are summarized below: Seventyone (71%) of EWCTC staff members have over 5 years teaching experience. Fortyone percent (41%) have over 10 years experience. The average years teaching experience is 18. Fiftythree (53%) of EWCTC have bachelors degree or higher. Fiftythree percent (53%) are currently working on a degree or certificate. The average years work experience in business is 15.
Areas of Need The second section of the survey asked respondents to rate possible instructional areas as either not applicable, unimportant, important, and extremely important. A summary of the results is outlined below: Fiftynine percent (59%) or more of the staff rated the following topics as important or extremely important: 1. Keeping up to date with Business and Industry 2. Industry certification for your program 3. Creating a positive school climate 4. Improving communication among EWCTC and sending districts 5. Curriculum writing / development Fiftytwo to fiftynine percent (5259%) or more of the staff rated the following topics as either important or extremely important: 1. Recruitment strategies to promote Vocational Education 2. Improving Academic Skills (Meeting academic standards SAS) 3. Strategies for working with disadvantaged and handicapped students 4. Closing the Achievement Gap 5. School Safety / Violence Prevention / Crisis Management Fiftythree percent (53%) of the staff rated the following topics as least important: 1. Search engines 2. Editing and formatting documents 3. In house webinars videoconferencing 4. Powerschool 5. Creating a web page
Response Analysis Number of Years Teaching Most Important Topics Least Important Topics Experience Under 8 Years School to work activities Creating a web page Industry certification in your program Using a digital camera 8 15 Years Keeping up to date with business and industry Recruitment strategies to promote vocational education Search engines Use of a projector 15 + Years Occupational advisory committees First Aid Improving communication among Inhouse webinars EWCTC and Sending Districts Highest Degree Obtained Most Important Topics Least Important Topics PreBachelor Industry certification in your program Email / search engines Bachelor Master Keeping up to date with business and industry Improving communication among EWCTC and Sending Districts Use of a laptop Classroom management Currently Working on a Most Important Topics Least Important Topics Degree or Certificate Training Occupational advisory committees Email School to work activities Search engines Keeping up to date with business Creating a web page and industry Industry certification in your program Not Training Keeping up to date with business and industry Recruitment strategies to promote vocational education Powerschool Creating a web page
Professional Development Needs The following list includes, but is not limited to, approved providers for the district. These providers meet the identified needs stated in the plan. Other professional agencies that address the goals and identified needs of the plan and of other specific district goals are also approved. Providers approved by the administration or Board of School Directors Pennsylvania Intermediate Units Professional continuing education courses offered by the local I U. The Pennsylvania Department of Education approved inservice courses as initiated by a local area inservice council or intermediate unit Providers approved by the Department of Education Pennsylvania colleges and universities Formal programs of study at an institution of higher education approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Agencies that have formed school/business partnerships with the CTC Subcontractors, paid or unpaid, who are providing services that meet the CTC s needs, including but not limited to, online training courses, national or local consultants, and experts in the areas identifies as needs in this plan. County, district, state, and national professional organizations Professional conferences and workshops. This option includes educationally related seminars, or workshops, which may be sponsored by companies, professional organizations, institutions of higher learning, or similar agencies. Attendance is approved by the Administrative Director based upon budget restraints and in conjunction with the district s Act 48 Plan. Education in the workplace, where the work is related to the professional educator s area of assignment, certification, or potential certification and is approved by the administration. CTC inservice programs that comply with the professional education criteria presented in the Professional Education Plan Guidelines and Strategic Plan. Visits to other schools, districts, or industries that are aligned with the goals of the CTC, to observe programs, and gather data. Special education strategies for all staff members including ADAPT I and ADAPT II. Teacher Induction Plan new teachers in the CTC will complete the district s Teacher Induction Plan which provides new teachers professional development opportunities. Approved online and videoconferences courses Professional education courses, programs, activities or learning at the state or national level
Professional Education Action Plan Goal: COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION ACCESS Description: By maintaining and expanding our technology infrastructure, our communication information access will be improved. Strategy: Use technology to improve student achievement, staff productivity, and schoolwide communications Description: By digitizing our CTE curriculum we will make it more accessible to parents, students and staff through technology. Activity: Electronic Task Tracking Description: Develop and implement electronic task tracking through powerschool system Weimer, Todd Start: 9/1/2011 Finish: 9/13/2013 Activity: Digitizing Curriculum and Developing OnLine Learning Systems Description: Train teachers in moodle and other online learning techniques. Develop introductory online curriculum modules for each program. Provide updated task lists and grades through the school database for parent, student and teacher access. Weimer, Todd Start: 1/1/2012
Goal: RELEVANCE Description: By increasing career and industry relevance in our program areas, all students will achieve advanced scores on the NOCTI test, achieve industry certifications, and be prepared to enter the workplace. Strategy: Provide CTE programs that adopt nationally recognized industry standards and demonstrate relevance to the 21st century economy Description: Educators will stay abreast of industry trends, employment outlook, and needed skill sets for emerging workers. Activity: Educator in the Workplace Description: Develop and implement Educator in the Workplace program for teachers to do job shadowing in a local business Marie Bowers Start: 9/2/2011 $3,000.00 Activity: Industry Standard Training Description: Develop opportunities for industry standard training in specific workforce education areas Marie Bowers Start: 9/2/2011
Activity: Update Task List Description: Update task list and gain Occupational Advisory Committee approval of competencies twice each year Marie Bowers Start: 12/1/2011 Goal: RIGOR Description: By increasing academic and technical rigor in our program areas, all students will be proficient as measured by local, state and national assessments by 2014. Strategy: Increase academic and technical rigor in program areas to achieve a higher standard of learning Description: The 12 Powerful Words video and strategies by Larry Bell will continue with our 9th graders and each year will be reviewed in order to maintain the strategy. The technical vocabulary and NOCTI reviews as well as the word walls are integrated in order to increase academic and technical rigor in program areas. Activity: Academic Integration Description: Provide opportunities for technical and academic instructors to jointly review curricula and identify interrelated competencies Marie Bowers Start: 9/2/2011 $3,000.00
Activity: Assessment and Progress Monitoring Description: Provide training in benchmark assessment and its application to improving student achievement Marie Bowers Start: 1/6/2012 Activity: Communication/Literacy Skills Description: Provide writing workshops using the PSSA writing rubric and incorporate into portfolio best works Ben Shaw Start: 9/2/2011 Status: Upcoming Activity: Content Literacy Description: Provide training in content related literacy such as MAX teaching, teacher modeling and visits to schools to observe best practices Ben Shaw Start: 9/2/2011
Activity: Data Analysis and Progress Monitoring Description: Provide training on data analysis and progress monitoring of student performance Gezo, Joy Start: 9/2/2011 Status: Upcoming Activity: Integrating Academics Description: Identify and integrate additional academics in each program and develop lesson plans integrating/intensifying academics including PSSArelated performance assessments Todd Weimer Start: 9/2/2011 $18,000.00 Activity: Portfolio Skills Description: Provide training in portfolio development and employability skills Newhouse Lisa Start: 9/2/2011
Activity: Response to Intervention Description: Provide inservice training including Response to Intervention and Differentiated Instruction for staff to enhance student learning outcomes for special needs students None Selected Start: 9/3/2012 Activity: Special Needs Assessment Description: Develop assessment instruments to measure special needs student progress in their academic and industrial skills. Gezo, Joy Start: 9/2/2011 Activity: Special Needs Lessons Description: Provide workshops where staff adapt curriculum, lesson plans, tests, and materials used for special needs with different learning styles Gezo, Joy Start: 9/2/2011
Activity: Special Needs Training Description: Provide professional education in gifted and/or limited English Proficiency instructional methodology for teachers of exceptional students Gezo, Joy Start: 8/26/2011 Finish: 6/30/2014 Activity: Teaching Strategies Description: Provide staff training in teaching methods and technology integration to improve achievement in mathematics Gary Zacur Start: 9/2/2011 Finish: 6/30/2014 Activity: Team Teaching Description: Plan team teaching experiences with academic teachers to further integrate academic curricula Marie Bowers Start: 9/2/2011 $5,000.00
Goal: RELATIONSHIPS Description: By developing and expanding relationships with business, industry, postsecondary institutions, and the community, our school will increase/expand postsecondary enrollment and relevant job placement for our students. Strategy: Develop and expand relationships with business, industry, postsecondary institutions, and the community Description: Occupational Advisory Committee membership will be updated to include appropriate industry representation to provide valid advisement to the CTC Programs. Activity: Occupational Advisory Committees Description: Meet twice a year with each program's advisory committee to identify new trends and technologies in business and industry Marie Bowers Start: 12/1/2011 $6,000.00
Goal: SCHOOL SAFETY AND WORK ENVIRONMENT Description: By improving school climate we will create an atmosphere conducive to learning. Strategy: Create a positive, safe, learning and working environment Description: Our goal is to provide an atmosphere that is positive and safe in order to maximize academic progress and encourage well being in the work environment. Activity: Classroom Management Description: Provide education in classroom management using a researchbased program and implement a comprehensive discipline program school wide Todd Weimer Start: 1/2/2012 Finish: 6/30/2014 Activity: Employability Skills Training Description: Provide training in human relations skills, such as team building, communications and public relations Marie Bowers Start: 1/2/2012
Activity: Safety Training Description: Provide MSDS and fire extinguisher safety training Todd Weimer Start: 9/2/2011 Activity: School Safety Training Description: Provide training for all faculty members to become certified in CPR, First Aid, and Emergency Management System Training Todd Weimer Start: 1/2/2012 Activity: Violence Prevention Training Description: Conduct workshops related to violence prevention and bullying Todd Weimer Start: 1/2/2012 Status: Upcoming
Annual Review Process Committee Responsibilities The responsibilities of the Professional Education Committee are not over once the plan is accepted and approved. The Professional Education Committee is a regular, standing committee that meets a minimum of three times a year to monitor and adjust the Education Plan. Amending the Plan It is the responsibility of the EWCTC Professional Education Committee to ensure that the goals of the Professional Education Plan are achieved. The Plan is designed to meet the educational needs of the school's community and its professional employees. The Committee reviews the plan annually to determine whether or not it continues to reflect those needs. The Professional Education Plan shall be amended if major changes are made in the substance of the Plan while it is in force. At the onset of each school year, recommendations for amendments from the Professional Education Committee will be incorporated into the Professional Education Plan. The revised/amended plan is presented to the School Board for annual approval and signature and then submitted to the Department of Education. The Eastern Westmoreland Career and Technology Center shall maintain the letter that acknowledges acceptance of the amendment(s) with this plan Minor changes in the substance of the plan in order to maintain its effectiveness and responsiveness to the needs of the EWCTC may by made by approval of the EWCTC Professional Education Committee. Minor changes shall be documented through the minutes of the meetings of the Professional Education Committee. Recommendations for minor changes in the substance of the plan in order to maintain its effectiveness shall be done in writing to the Administrative Director.
Appendix B Entity Information Page Entity: Eastern Westmoreland CTC Address: 4904 Route 982 Latrobe, PA 156502399 Superintendent or Chief Administrative Officer: Roberta McCahan Email: rmcchan@wiu.k12.pa.us Telephone: 7246941401 Fax: 7245391907 Professional Education Committee Chairperson: Joy Gezo Email: jgezo@wiu.k12.pa.us Telephone: 7245399788 Fax: 7245391907 Act 48 Reporting Contact: Marie Bowers Email: mbowers@@wiu.k12.pa.us Telephone: 7245399788 Fax: 7245391907