Vol. 25, No. 1: Great Things Happening in the New Year

The Career Pathways Effect
Professional Development Workshops

Professional development workshops based on the major themes of the book

The Center for Occupational Research and Development (CORD) and the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) recently collaborated on the development of The Career Pathways Effect: Linking Education and Economic Prosperity. CORD and NASDCTEc have developed professional development workshops based on the major themes of the book to support practitioners in the implementation and improvement of career pathways. Below are descriptions of available workshops. Each can be customized to meet local needs.

CAREER PATHWAYS OVERVIEW
An introductory workshop designed to be the catalyst for the development and implementation of a career pathways system. The workshop is based on the Department of Education Office of Vocational and Adult Education's Programs of Study (POS) Design Framework. Topics: Legislation and Policies • Partnerships • Professional Development • Accountability and Evaluation Systems • College and Career Readiness Standards • Course Sequences • Credit Transfer Agreements • Guidance Counseling and Academic Advisement • Teaching and Learning Strategies • Technical Skills Assessments. Participants complete a self-assessment for each of the 10 components of the POS Framework and are encouraged to attend the workshop in a team (minimum of two per team). Team members might include secondary and/or postsecondary administrators, faculty, and counselors.

THE ADMINISTRATOR’S ROLE IN A CAREER PATHWAYS SYSTEM
It takes exceptional leadership to successfully implement a career pathways system. Topics: Leadership traits • Leadership case studies • Leadership among stakeholders • Leadership roles and opportunities that support career pathways

PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
A career pathways system requires multiple partnerships within a community. Topics: Partnership advantages • Partner identification • Goal setting • Model structures • Partner roles and responsibilities • Action plan development • Partnership management—operating and sustaining

TEACHING FOR SUCCESS
This workshop is designed to support teachers in their role as learning facilitators within a career pathways system. Topics are centered on evidence-based practices that promote student engagement and the application and transfer of knowledge. Topics: 21st century teaching and learning challenges • Brain-based learning research • Connecting knowledge and application • Contextual teaching and learning strategies • Teacher effectiveness • Support systems • Role of business and industry • Case studies • Recommendations for success

COUNSELING FOR SUCCESS
A career pathways system requires a progressive counseling system beginning in early childhood and continuing through adulthood. Topics: Career guidance theory • Career guidance tools (assessment, databases, technology) • Career guidance support • Role of career counselors in programs of study • Counselors as the lynchpin and facilitator • Individual learning plans

BUILDING PROGRAMS OF STUDY
Topics: The POS design process • Equipping your toolbox with the nuts and bolts of career pathways (career clusters, POS framework) • Delivery system models (dual enrollment, middle college, apprenticeships) • Implementation plan development • Case studies • Communication strategies • Technical skill attainment/evaluation • Capacity analysis.

DATA-DRIVEN DECISION-MAKING
This workshop focuses on using data for decision-making, accountability, and evaluation. Topics: The necessity of quality data • Evaluation strategies and trends • Perkins accountability • Using data to inform decisions • Using labor market data to set priorities • Return on Investment (ROI) models • Using data to demonstrate success • K-20 statewide systems (optional)

All workshops include copies of The Career Pathways Effect book and can be augmented with pre- and/or post-workshop webinars.

To learn more or schedule professional development for your team, contact:

Debra Mills
Director, National Career Pathways Network
Vice President, Partnerships
Center for Occupational Research and Development
dmills@cord.org, (254) 741-8370

© 2015 CORD