We have all been in situations where we do our best to prepare. We line up our ducks, check off everything on our list, and are ready to roll. Then, something happens. A wrench is thrown into the plans, a whammy comes out of nowhere, there's a kink in the chain. Sometimes it is something big and dramatic, other times it is something small and fixable. Regardless, all of your planning and preparation could not prepare you for the hiccup that has occurred. This was my life yesterday. Everything ready to go, and then, a small wrench thrown into the plans. It made me feel as if I had not done all that I could. I should have worked harder, or smarter. But then, something amazing happened. I was shown grace.

People were kind and understanding. It was in that moment that I realized the power of grace. The power in not only granting grace to others, but to ourselves. There are going to be kinks in the chain and wrenches thrown in our plans, but what we need to remember is that each of us is doing our best to create the best possible outcomes for our students and stakeholders. As we move forward in learning more about Programs of Study, the movement of Tech Apps courses under the CTE umbrella, the Comprehensive Local Need Assessment, and the plethora of changes coming our way, remember to extend yourself some grace. You may not know it all, and there may be some mistakes made along the way, but have faith that in the end, what your doing is for students and the outcome will be worth the effort.

It is a new year and there is a lot of "new" in CTE. We are here to help navigate the changes, kick the wrenches out of your way, un-kink the chains, and realign the ducks wherever you may need. Let us know how we can help. Happy new year to all!

Please use the link below to access the recording of the meeting from Tuesday, January 14th in Anna.

Link to Meeting Recording

Below is a link to statewide computer science data that includes each service center and specific data for schools. It may be a good resource when you are planning your Programs of Study or completing your Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment.

https://www.tacc.utexas.edu/epic/research/cs-regional-data

Below is a link to a document that highlights the changes to Chapter 126 and 130 that will be proposed to the State Board of Education (SBOE). These changes will not be voted on by the SBOE until the end of April. Implementation timelines and changes (if any) to teacher certification requirements have not been shared. This document is to make you aware of proposed changes so that you are able to look ahead and begin thinking through how these changes will impact your programming/course offerings should they be approved.

Chart with Tech Apps Proposed Changes

Texas Cybersecurity Teacher Training

If your school district is considering adding a cybersecurity pathway, The University of Texas at Austin’s Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC) is offering two introductory workshops for teachers that will help to orient them to the big ideas in cybersecurity and student competitions (Jan 27) and provide them with sample curriculum and hand’s on lessons to teach the Foundations of Cybersecurity course recently approved by the SBOE.

Jan 27 Cyber Encounters FREE

Jan 28 Cybersecurity 101 $200

Details about both workshops can be found at https://utakeit.tacc.utexas.edu/events/

A dilemma that is faced by LEAs is in regards to Agriculture Mechanics courses versus the Welding courses offered in the Manufacturing pathway. In the past, students were able to complete two courses in the Agriculture pathway, then take the Welding courses in Manufacturing and still compete in FFA. The policy that allowed for this is listed below. Moving forward, as Programs of Study are implemented, this will no longer be an option. There are still discussions being had on how to deal with those students that will be in the gray area of having started the current allowable process. Once decisions have been made, we will communicate that information. This information is important for those that are determining which courses to offer in the upcoming school year. If you want your students to be able to compete in Agriculture Mechanics project shows under FFA, make sure that your courses are aligned to allow for that. Again, as more information is provided, we will share that with you.

FFA Policy on membership Eligibility. The section you are looking for is 1.3 (b)

https://www.texasffa.org/docs/PH%201-Active%20Membership%20Policy_012017_07150.pdf

Join us for a special CTE Director meeting on February 14th, 2020! We are asking that you invite Principals, Curriculum Director's, and any other decision makers for your campus that are involved with CTE. This event will bring Texas Instruments representatives to you to explore how to prepare your students to have electrifying futures. Participants will work to look at how to implement IT, Engineering, and Manufacturing into your LEAs. We will dive into the skills that business leaders are looking for. Don't miss this interactive event.

SIGN-UP HERE!

Website: https://txr10.escworks.net/catalog/session.aspx?session_id=2627860
Location: Region 10 Education Service Center, East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA

Tuesday, April 28, 2020

9:00 – 1:00

Plano Event Center, 2000 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, Tx 75074

A few notes:

• This event is open to all schools, public and private, located in Collin, Ellis, Hunt, Kaufman, Navarro, and Rockwall Counties.
• Outside food and drink is not allowed at the Plano Event Center – lunch will be on your own (or bring a sack lunch).
• There will be photography/video present at the event. If releases are needed, that will be the responsibility of the ISD.

Please visit https://dfwjobs.com/iwork2020 to see the latest updates.

TEA is announcing the availability of grant funds for the 2019-2020 Summer Career and Technical Education Grant. Request for Application (RFA) #701-20-112 is authorized by the General Appropriations Act, House Bill 1, Article IX, Section 18.114(c)(v). The RFA is available on the TEA Grant Opportunities Page.

Eligibility

See the General and Fiscal Guidelines, Eligibility To Apply for LOIs.

Applicants must currently receive Perkins funds and/or be a part of a Shared Service Agreement through the Perkins grant.

Grant Period

• May 1, 2020, through August 31, 2020.

Funding

• It is anticipated that approximately 100 grants will be awarded up to $50,000.

Description

The purpose of this grant is to assist applicants in:

• Fostering innovation through the identification and promotion of promising and proven CTE and WBL programs, practices, and strategies that prepare individuals for college and career; and
• Promoting the development, implementation, and adoption of programs of study or career pathways aligned with state identified high skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations or industries.

Career and Technical Education Courses (Focus Area 1)

The purpose of Career and Technical Education Courses (Focus Area 1) is to assist districts with providing high-quality CTE programs to students during the summer months.

Grant funds may be used to:

• implement a CTE summer bridge program for incoming 9th graders.
• implement a CTE summer bridge program for students continuing from high school into a postsecondary program.
• Example: High school student earns Certified Nursing Assistant certification (CNA) and completes a postsecondary bridge program over the summer for a licensed vocational nurse program.
• partner with local districts to offer CTE courses during summer months through shared use agreements.
• implement acceleration programs designed to help students complete advanced courses in a CTE program of study.

Work-Based Learning Experiences (Focus Area 2)

The purpose of the Work-Based Learning Experiences (Focus Area 2) is to assist districts in facilitating and monitoring work-based learning experiences for students during the summer months.

Grant funds may be used to:

• establish, facilitate, and monitor internship programs with local employers.
• implement pre-apprenticeship training programs and/or youth apprenticeship training programs.
• facilitate and monitor project-based learning where students complete a project of value to a local business through Career Preparation or CTE Practicum courses.

Application Deadline

Applications must be received by the Texas Education Agency by 5:00 p.m. (Central Time), January 7, 2020, to be considered for funding.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) will soon publish two Requests for Applications (RFAs) for Career and Technical Education (CTE) equipment grants. These projects are designed to provide funding to grantees for the purchase and installation of equipment that will support training in CTE programs.

Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program - $8 Million Available

Expected Publication Date: November 2019*
Min/Max Award: $40,000 - $300,000
Expected Deadline: January 2020*
Match Requirement: 5%
Length: 12 months
Anticipated Number of Grantees: 35-45

The JET Grant Program provides grants to public community colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges and Independent School Districts to purchase and install equipment necessary for the development of career and technical education courses or programs that lead to a license, certificate, or postsecondary degree in a high-demand occupation. Approximately fifty percent of available funds will be awarded to eligible Independent School Districts, and approximately fifty percent will be awarded to eligible Institutions of Higher Education.

Dual Credit and Technical Education Equipment Only Grant Program - $1.1 Million Available

Expected Publication Date: January 2020*
Maximum Award: $220,000
Expected Deadline: March 2020*
Anticipated Number of Grantees: 6
Length: 12 months

The Dual Credit Equipment Only Grant Program provides grants to public community colleges, public technical institutes, public state colleges and Independent School Districts to purchase and install, or repair, equipment necessary for the development of career and technical education courses or programs that lead to a license, certificate, or postsecondary degree in a high-demand occupation.

*Please note all dates above are best estimates and subject to change

Funding Source

Both the JET and Dual Credit programs are funded through General Revenue State Funds.

Subscribing to GovDelivery

Interested parties who would like to receive notifications of procurement opportunities can subscribe using GovDelivery by going to TWC’s website at https://twc.texas.gov and locating the box at the lower right-hand corner that says, “Sign up to receive workforce updates you can use.”

Follow the instructions to create notifications:

1. Enter an email address.
2. Click the Submit button.
3. Scroll down to the topic heading “Doing Business with TWC.”
4. Check the box next to “Requests for Applications.”
5. Click the Submit button.

To unsubscribe, go to Manage Subscriptions. Follow the instructions to delete specific topic subscriptions or the entire subscription account.

If you need assistance subscribing to GovDelivery, please email RFA Grants.

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CTE Consultant

Teaching & Learning Services

Email: julie.anderson@region10.org
Location: 400 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 348-1758

CTE Consultant

Teaching & Learning Services

Email: travis.waddell@region10.org
Location: 400 East Spring Valley Road, Richardson, TX, USA
Phone: (972) 348-1334

TEA Statewide Approved Programs of Study:

https://tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/approved-cte-programs-study

Perkins V Information:

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/PerkinsV.pdf

Industry Based Certifications (IBC):

https://tea.texas.gov/sites/default/files/2019-2020%20Industry-based%20Certification%20List%20for%20Public%20School%20Accountability%202.pdf

iWorks Tips:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecphy71LEO8&feature=youtu.be