BOB VINES Northern Wyoming Daily News | Posted: Monday, February 27, 2006 12:00 am
WORLAND, Wyo. (AP) - Just how do you prepare a young student for the local work force?
This is a question Worland High School vocational teachers, local business leaders, parents and even students intend to answer through a program that brings all groups together.
The Career Technical Education Advisory Committee meets at Worland High School a couple times each year to discuss curriculum, grants and purchasing opportunities. The group was formed over two years ago with the purpose of preparing students for the work force.
"The committee was put together to help us receive advice and input on skills needed in the community by our students," said Vocational Coordinator and business instructor Sandy Bishop.
Bishop said that the input from the group helps guide the curriculum the vocational educators use in the classroom.
The committee discusses a wide range of topics during their meetings including interview techniques, how students should approach an employee for job opportunities and equipment and tools needed for additional education.
The group also watches demonstrations from vocational educators.
At a recent meeting, the group watched a presentation from family and consumer science instructor Dawn Bellis about the classroom benefits of a Smart board. The instructional tool combines Internet capabilities, Powerpoint presentations and can even be used for manual lesson plans, that can be saved and used at another time.
The group also watched a presentation by auto/diesel instructor Mike Sapp on his class' projects.
The existence of the committee is necessary for the school to take advantage of the Perkins Vocational Education grant which supplies funding strictly for vocational programs for high school, community colleges and universities. Funds from the grant are used to purchase state of the art equipment for the vocational education department, according to Bishop.
But Bishop also says that the advice the educators receive from the business leaders is valuable whether grant money is at stake or not.
"In our society now, people want more training. They're looking for more skilled workers," Bishop said. "We get input from (the business leaders) on what skills they need. That helps us guide our curriculum."
Bishop also said that the committee has been valuable in finding instructional tools, supplies, additional funding and even an engine on occasion. "Their connections are really helpful to us. We run on a tight budget. We need items at low or no cost."
"I think it helps the teachers out," said committee member Terry Tommerup of Tommerup Machine, "It also gives us a chance to see what they are doing with the kids."
Bishop said that the group will meet again prior to the end of the school year.
Information from: Northern Wyoming Daily News, http://www.wyodaily.com