El Paso (TX) Administrators to Present Session on Career and College Readiness Efforts to Meet Post-Secondary Realities, at Model School Conference
Kingston, TN (PRWEB) June 12, 2014 -- Bob Dylan's lyrics, “The times, they are a-changin',” have never been more relevant as educators face new mandates for preparing students for the future. School administrators must ensure their high school graduates are both college and career ready. The importance of this demands that schools enhance their curriculum offerings to help student develop the essential academic and soft skills.
On June 23, Dr. Royce Avery, chief school officer, Area 2 for El Paso Independent School District (EPISD) will present two workshops at the 2014 Model School Conference to be held in Orlando, FL. Dr. Avery -- joined by EPISD's Eric Winkelman, career and technical education director and Matthew Farley, principal at the Center of Career and Technology Education -- will share the district's successes as they continue to develop six-year strategies using a College and Career Readiness Planner with a Personal Graduation Plan. The sessions are scheduled for 10:15 AM in room Asia 5 and again at 3:45 PM in rooms Southern 4-5. This year's conference will be held in Orlando, Florida.
“District and school leaders looking for ways to transform their current career and college readiness 'standards' will learn a great deal by attending this session,” said Dr. Royce Avery. “Our academic and integrated technical learning model combines career focused programs of study along with a portion of the award-winning e-learning platform from WIN Learning with 'added values' from our team and local community businesses such as internships, industry certifications, and dual credit courses. We have successfully made classwork relevant to students whether they elect college, workplace, military or certification training programs.”
The Personalized Career Readiness System from WIN Learning encompasses four main modules - two of which, Strategic Compass and Soft Skills are being piloted in the EPISD. The modules include:
o Strategic Compass - offers a personalized career-planning tool for each learner based on skill, work and career interest, and then provides a framework for the education and path to succeed.
o College Readiness Courseware - For students looking to continue on to college, this courseware prepares learners with the necessary foundational skills in Pre-Algebra, Algebra, Geometry, Reading, Writing and English. Subjects include practice and application of concepts addressed by commonly accepted college placement exams.
o Career Readiness Courseware - Nine career-focused modules prepare learners for career readiness certification. Topics include Reading for Information, Applied Mathematics, Locating Information, Listening, Observation, Applied Technology, and Business Writing, among others.
o Soft Skills - Professional attitudes, work habits and other key competencies are critical to success in college and the work place. Soft Skills teaches employability and social skills including conveying professionalism, communicating effectively, promoting teamwork and collaboration, thinking critically, and problem solving.
Avery added, “Career readiness must go hand-in-hand with academic standards, and both must meaningfully prepare students for productive lives. This needs to be a priority for school administrators if they are going to successfully prepare students for life after high school. We are anxious to share how El Paso CCTE incorporates Soft Skills as a critical element to success in a career and technology classroom, which will result greater success in 21st Century workplaces.”
About Dr. Royce Avery
A life-long educator with classroom, building and district level experience in the Woodsboro, Lubbock, and Waco Independent School Districts, as well as the Texas Education Agency, Dr. Avery was superintendent of the Aransas Pass Independent School District prior to joining EPISD. He received his undergraduate degree from Rice University, and holds a Master's degree in educational leadership and administration from Texas A&M. Dr. Avery earned his Ed.D. in educational administration and supervision from the University of Texas at Austin.
About WIN Learning
Since 1996, WIN has become the leading provider of career readiness solutions to help districts prepare pathways for students' futures, whether they are college, trade school, military or workplace bound. To date, more than 10 million students worldwide have participated in the specialized career-driven courseware and education intervention initiatives as well as career-readiness certification programs. For more information, go to http://www.winlearning.com or call 888-717-9461.
Leslie Eicher, APR, WIN Learning, http://www.winlearning.com/, +1 (314) 965-1776, [email protected]
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