More than 70 superintendents, principals, school counselors, teachers and BOCES staff attended Questar III’s seventh annual Career and Technical Education (CTE) alignment meeting on November 17.
Seven years ago, the BOCES convened this regional meeting of school leaders to review and improve the organization’s CTE programs. Today, the group continues to meet annually to review local/regional data and to identify action steps (both individually as districts and collectively as a BOCES) to better prepare students for college and careers.
The November 17 meeting provided attendees with:
- a review of past accomplishments in partnership with the Superintendents’ Subcommittee on Academic Programs (which includes new CTE programs and improved technical endorsements achieved by students)
- an update on the New York State Board of Regents’ Pathways Plan
- a look at Questar III CTE student data
- reports by Rensselaer and Catskill CSD addressing their own pathway development (six-year scope and sequence)
The group also watched two videos on the Regents’ Pathway Plan and a video that illustrates the chances for economic success in the United States.
Attendees then broke into table conversations to discuss and report out on several critical questions, including:
- What action steps need to be taken in your district that will move students toward pathways to prosperity?
- What is truly needed to align our curriculum towards a pathway model?
- How do we work to change the mindset within the systems we serve regarding the significance of CTE programs?
- How do we most effectively establish on-site work experience for students?
Questar III Deputy Superintendent Matt Sloane credited school leaders for their willingness to come together and discuss ideas.
“I appreciated the level of dialogue and willingness to explore collaborative solutions. This meeting is an opportunity to come together to connect and align our individual and collective work so we can better prepare our students for the future,” said Sloane.
For more information on Questar III’s CTE programs (including New Visions and Career Studies) please visit https://old.questar.org/education/career-tech-ed/index.php. Each program has a fact sheet listing high school and college credit available, curriculum and materials used and courses recommended to take before enrollment.
