Career and Technical Education

One of the most significant changes introduced in the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V) is the comprehensive local needs assessment (CLNA). The law states local eligible recipients must complete a comprehensive local needs assessment related to career and technical education once every two years. The 2024-2025 CLNA (SC5600) is required for local education agencies (LEAs) applying for 2024-2025 Perkins funding. The local needs assessment process is intended to be a regular part of a LEA's data-driven decision making and program improvement system.

If your district needs any assistance in completing your CLNA, please reach out to Vicki Hayhurst or Jennifer Seekins. We are happy to help!

The CLNA guidebook is posted on the TEA Perkins V site.

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) currently has two grant Requests for Applications (RFA) open for career and technical education (CTE) programs in Texas.

The complete RFA packets, including requirements and submission documents can be downloaded from the TWC Procurement Portal website.

To prepare a submission for either grant opportunity, please log into the portal or you can create an account by clicking the "Log in/Register" button on the portal. Registration is free.

Opportunity #1:

The Jobs and Education for Texans (JET) Grant Program is accepting applications from Public Junior, State, and Technical Colleges, School Districts, and Open-Enrollment Charter Schools. The JET program was allocated approximately $15 million to provide grants to these applicants in FY 2024. Funds can be used to defray equipment costs associated with new or expanding CTE programs and courses.

Visit the JET website to learn more about JET and access the grant Tool Kit. Use this resource to answer questions, access the flowchart, watch guidance videos, and learn about common disqualifications to ensure you are preparing more effective applications.

Opportunity #2:

TWC is also accepting applications for the Dual Credit Grant Program for Public Junior, State, and Technical Colleges, and Texas Independent School Districts. Approximately $1.3 million is available in FY 2024. Funds can be used to purchase, repair, or install equipment used for new, expanding, or existing CTE programs. All questions regarding these RFAs should be e-mailed to RFAGrants@twc.texas.gov.

To learn more about the specifics of these grants, please read the Grant Comparison Overview.

Please reach out to us or Amelia Reeves amelia.reeves@workforcesystem.org

Link to Grant Comparison Chart

Location: Abilene Christian University- Onstead/Packer Bible Building

Join us for our 3rd Annual GT, CTE, STEM Conference! (Yes! We are adding CTE this year and it is a 2 day conference!). This conference aims to bring together educators and professionals to share their knowledge, experiences, and best practices in the fields of Gifted & Talented (GT), Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Career and Technical Education (CTE). Come hear about STEM, CTE and working with GT students in the area you teach. Hear from several experts in their field. This conference counts as an update for GT. Registration Link

Presenter: Cisco Welding Instructors

Location: Abilene Cisco College Campus

Participants will be discussing alignment of secondary and college pathways, dual credit options, AWS certifications, operation and maintenance of welding labs and equipment, welding procedures and processes. Participants will be engaging with vendors and industry partners. Instructors will have the opportunity for weld procedure certification testing. Registration Link

Presenters: Ameila Reeves, Vicki Hayhurst, Industry Partners

Itinerary will be sent to participants with directions

Immerse yourself in a dynamic three day experience where educators will have the opportunity to collaborate with professionals, dive into hands-on activities, and bring the real world into your teaching toolkit. We encourage CTE and
all secondary educators to join us for inspiration, learning and forging connections that will elevate the classroom experience. Attendance and participation for all three days are required. Educators will be eligible for a stipend upon completion of the three day training and corresponding lesson plan. This event is in partnership with Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas. Limited space. Registration Link

We are currently scheduling 1-1 conversations with interested districts to fine tune details for bringing this certification to your students. Please reach out to Jennifer Seekins (jseekins@esc14.net) or Vicki Hayhurst (vhayhurst@esc14.net) for scheduling a conversation.

What we offer:

• Program Director for CNA per Nurses Aide Competency and Evaluation Program (NATCEP)
• Technical assistance for prerequisite coursework and capstone course
• Technical assistance for staff development; coordination of scheduling with long-term care facilities; management of MOU between R14 and facilities; interagency collaboration
• Management and maintenance of grant opportunities

• Opportunity for students to earn IBC aligned with Healthcare Therapeutic and Diagnostic Program of study
• Opportunity for CCMR IBC credit
• Opportunity for potential CCMR outcome bonuses
• Funding for CTE level 4 course

Students in the Family and Community Program of Study could have an opportunity to participate in the community healthcare worker certification. If your district is interested, the Big County Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is offering to support teachers who earn their CHW-instructor certification.

This certification is offered through Region 10. They are offering a summer class that will run virtually from June 10-September 5. Any interested teacher is encouraged to contact Spenser Adams at Region 10. spenser.adams@region10.ort

Curious about cheese? Plan a visit to Great Lakes Cheese factory in Abilene, Texas. Great Lakes Cheese is an award-winning, premier manufacturer and packager of natural and processed bulk, shredded, and sliced cheeses. Give students (and adults) an experience they won't forget!

Contact Amy Hernandez (325-283-5501) to schedule a tour for your students.

www.greatlakescheese.com

Write an Advisement note on a student's Xello profile to keep track of your notes, resources, and meeting summaries with them. This is a useful way to organize and monitor their progress, and it can also improve collaboration with other teachers, and communication with your student and their parent/guardian.

Your notes will sit on the student's profile in your educator account for you to review. A note can be up to 2000 characters. If you'd like to add more, upload a file to the note to attach longer documents and relevant resources. Only you can edit or delete your own.

You can select who can view the note. Keep it exclusively to yourself, or allow other educators, the student, and the student's parent/guardian to view the note as well. If you allow other educators visibility, only those at your school who have a Xello account and can see the student's profile can read it. This means educators with Limited access can only view the notes on students assigned to them.

If your district would like to set up training around Xello, contact Jennifer Seekins, jseekins@esc14.net. Book NOW for August and September.