IU1 and CTE student transition project kicks off
Career and Technology Education (CTE) centers from Greene, Fayette and Washington counties recently gathered at Intermediate Unit 1 (IU1) to begin their school year with the kickoff of IU1’s CTE Transition Project.
The one-year project, supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) and funded through a grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation, provides the CTE’s in IU1 with guidance and support to strengthen students transitioning into post-secondary school.
“IU1 received a grant for this project to continue to promote students’successful learning, while building avenues that provide career pathways,” said Sue Conrady, IU1 Director of Adult, Nonpublic and ESL Education Service. The goal of the grant is to increase the number of students who successfully transition to post-secondary education and training. Each of the CTE’s selected four to five voluntary team members got to participate in this opportunity and attend the first of three meetings at IU1.
The day started off with a presentation from PDE Director of Career and Technology Education, Dr. Lee Burkett, and ended with a productive strategic planning group session. Teams chose to focus on subjects such as English language arts, math and science, and “transition.” Coaches from their chosen subjects worked closely with teams on developing strategies and are available two days a week at the teams CTE Center.
The program benefits not only participating CTE’s but students as well, giving them access to tools and resources to successfully transition. “Our students need to know about the opportunities available to them. IU1’s CTE Student Transition Project gives us the tools to spread this message and provide a means for our students to achieve their goal,” said a CTE participant.
Team members will walk away from this experience being more equipped to successfully transition students, while building on relationships established with post-secondary schools. “IU1’s CTE Student Transition Program is a great opportunity for teachers to reflect on the transitional process, identify areas for improvement and to help students successfully transition,” said a CTE participant.
At the end of the year, IU1, through the CTE Student Transition Project, hopes to have established a network of support for each CTE in the IU1 area and that the lessons learned can be implemented across the state.