Click here for a printable version of this newsletter. ©2009 CORD	In this issue of Connections we continue to highlight some of the almost 200 presentations that will be given at the NCPN conference in Atlanta this fall. (Read more) With high school drop-out rates on the rise—about 30 percent nationwide—coupled with an anticipated severe workforce shortage as baby boomers retire, now is the time to engage our future workers. (Read more) Jim Brazell is a forecaster, strategist, public speaker, and facilitator focusing on 21st century issues. He will be a featured speaker at upcoming NCPN, NATPL, and HI-TEC events. (Read more) Research has shown that many students learn best when information is presented contextually, that is, in contexts that are familiar to students and in which they can perceive the usefulness of the information being presented. For three decades CORD has been an advocate of an approach to contextual teaching that it calls the REACT methodology—for relating, experiencing, applying, cooperating, and transferring. (Read more) Roane State Community College (RSCC) is partnering with the Tennessee Department of Education to offer a dual enrollment First Responder course. The partnership opens postsecondary health science courses to high school juniors and seniors. The success of the model encourages higher education institutions to pursue similar educational opportunities. (Read more) The Georgia Bioscience Technology Institute (GBTI) is a collaboration created through a Community Based Job Training Grant from the United States Department of Labor. The collaboration is between Gwinnett Technical College in Lawrenceville, Georgia, and Athens Technical College in Athens, Georgia. (Read more) North Carolina has recognized the need for high school students to begin their college careers early. Because of new initiatives in the state, more students under age 18 will be able to enroll at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Read more) Are your graduates Work Ready? Do they have the skills to meet the needs of business and industry today? (Read more) (Back to the beginning of this issue)	Connections is distributed to members of the National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) as a benefit of membership. For information on becoming a member, visit ncpn.info. NCPN is an organization of CORD (cord.org). NCPN Conference Just Around the Corner The 2009 NCPN conference, September 30 through October 3 (Hyatt Regency Atlanta), is fast approaching. NCPN members qualify for registration discounts. Go here for the latest information.