| Announcements: November 29, 2004 - December 14, 2004 | |||||
Tech Prep Tuesday Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium Transition and Transfer December 7, 2004 Tech Prep Fall Semester Highlights • Highlighting the fall semester were Tech Prep staff visits to the 31 ISDs and two colleges that comprise the Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium. It is such a treat to visit your schools and campuses and hear about all the wonderful CATE and Tech Prep programs in your districts. This year more than ever, we have sensed increased enthusiasm and excitement about Tech Prep and Career and Technology Education. • In September, 25 counselors, teachers, advisors and administrators attended the Bridges workshop at Temple College. This year, the Consortium is sponsoring subscriptions to Bridges’ online career exploration system for about 18 partner middle schools, high school and colleges. • Fourteen Tech Prep Ambassadors from seven area high schools attended a training session on October 26 and are currently preparing presentations to promote Tech Prep on their campuses and in their communities. • In November, 30 area high school counselors and college advisors and personnel attended a Central Texas Counselors’ Network Workshop sponsored by the Consortium. • This fall also brought the beginning of the implementation of the CATEMA system for Consortium high schools. Facilitators and teachers from numerous school districts have received training and are in the process of implementing the system on their campuses. CATEMA (Career and Technology Education Management Application) is an online system for managing Tech Prep information relating to courses, classes, school districts, high schools, teachers, counselors, college registrars, college advisors, and students. The Consortium has offered subgrant money this year to help districts implement CATEMA. • A study to determine the feasibility of an Advanced Technology Center for East Bell County has progressed under the leadership of Chuck McCarter who has conducted surveys of area ISDs and studied other centers extensively. • Other Consortium activities include Eight Year Plan Committee Meetings, Mid-Tex College Night at the Expo Center and attendance at the Fall TACTE Conference and the National Tech Prep Network Conference. Next semester we look forward to working with many of you as we update and add local articulation agreements and continue implementation of the CATEMA system. Happy Holidays from the Tech Prep Staff! Chuck, Sherry, Misty & Trish ============
About 30 area ISD counselors and college advisors attended a Central Texas Counselors’ Network Workshop and Luncheon November 17, 2004, at Temple College. Featured speaker was Linda McDonough, Director of the Center for College Readiness at the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Ms. McDonough spoke on issues related to the Texas Success Initiative. “It was great to get ‘hot-off-the-press’ information from someone in the know!” remarked one of the attendees. Other guest speakers included Becky Howard, Region 12 Texas Scholars/GO Center Coordinator who gave an update on regional activities and Robyn Crawford, Membership Development Coordinator of the National Technical Honor Society. Attendees received a notebook of Health Science program information for Central Texas College and Temple College. Neil Coker, Director of the STAR Programs at Temple College conducted a tour of the Health Sciences Center for the group. Several counselors noted that the experience of seeing the facilities first-hand and learning about the programs offered will help tremendously in advising students interested in health careers. The workshop was sponsored by the Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium. Dr. S. Chuck McCarter, Executive Director of the Consortium welcomed the group to Temple College. Consortium Director Sherry Hollinger and Outreach Coordinator Misty Harrell served on the planning committee for the workshop, and Patricia Goodman, Administrative Assistant, helped with the arrangements.    ============
Fourteen area high school students along with peer managers from each school participated in a workshop October 26, 2004, at Temple College. Dr. Karén Clos-Bleeker, Vice President of Educational Services and Chief Academic Officer at the college, welcomed the students to the campus. Jody Askins, Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium Board Member and Manager of Training and Development for Wilsonart International, served as trainer for the group. Following lunch, the group toured the Health Sciences Center at the college with Neil Coker, Director of the S.T.A.R. Programs. The Tech Prep Ambassadors promote Career and Technology Education and Tech Prep among their peers and in their communities. Schools participating this year are Copperas Cove HS, Ellison HS, Harker Heights HS, Killeen HS, Marble Falls HS, Shoemaker HS and Star HS. The program is in its second year. Central Texas College provided funding for t-shirts for the students. Outstanding seniors from the group will have the opportunity to compete for $500 scholarships at Central Texas College and Temple College.  ============
Tech Prep Tuesday Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium Transition and Transfer November 16, 2004 Temple College GIS Week Temple College will celebrate GIS week with events scheduled November 17th and 18th. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are spatial analysis tools used in environmental science, urban management, archeology, geology, sociology, public health, business planning, marketing and geography. Events scheduled include: Wednesday, November 17 – Temple College Downtown Center (Main & Adams) 9:30am to 11:00am – Schools visit: Map Gallery, Demonstrations, Lectures, Tours 11:45am to1:00pm – Room 107 Dr. Gary Coutu as speaker Student Presentations will follow 1:30pm to 2:30pm – Mini-Lectures and Demonstrations Thursday, November 18 - Temple College Main Campus @ One College Centre 12:00 noon to 1:00pm – Brown bag lunch lecture (Dr. Coutu) OCC Room 1153 11:00am to 1:30pm – Map Gallery in One College Centre Texas Career Education Conference Scheduled The Midwinter Texas Career Education Conference, Making A Difference, is scheduled for January 19 – 21, 2005, at the Renaissance Austin Hotel. The conference, sponsored by the Career & Technology Association of Texas (CTAT) and the Texas Education Agency (TEA), will offer extensive professional development and networking opportunities for career and technology educators. Registration information is available on the CTAT website at www.ctat.org. Ken Von Gonten, Belton ISD, is President of CTAT this year. ============
Tech Prep Tuesday Central Texas Tech Prep Consortium Transition and Transfer November 9, 2004 Tech Prep Subgrant Reminder Applications for this year’s ISD subgrants are due by noon on Friday, November 12. Please call the consortium office at 254-298-8482 if you have any questions about the application process. It’s not too late to register for the Counselors’ Network Workshop! The Central Texas Counselors’ Network Workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, November 17, 2004, from 9:30 AM until 2:00 PM at Temple College. The workshop will be in the Leopard Room of the Arnold Student Union. Speakers include: Linda McDonough, THECB, Texas Success Initiative – First Year Summary Robyn Crawford - National Technical Honor Society Becky Howard – GO Center Update Attendees will have the opportunity to tour the Health Science Center at Temple College. Cost for the workshop is $15 and includes lunch. You may register through the Consortium website at http://www.centraltexastechprep.com. Go to Teacher Training, Register Online, complete the form and click the “Sign me up!” button. Checks may be mailed to the Consortium office. Deadline for registration is November 10, 2004. ============ |
