News from Partnerships for Innovation

Creating value for Nebraska's Career Education system

Partnerships for Innovation Newsletter

May 2012

Greetings!

This is the last newsletter of the school year! It's hard to believe another year has come and gone.

Those who registered for the Summer Standards Writing Workshops should either have received their contract, letter and agenda or should be receiving it within the next week. If you have not received a letter and registered, we appreciate your interest in participating and look forward to engaging you in the future in other opportunities!

On April 19 the Obama Administration published their Perkin's Blue Print for reauthorized legislation. They highlight four areas of emphasis:

(1) Alignment. Effective alignment between high-quality CTE programs and labor market needs to equip students with 21st-century skills and prepare them for in-demand occupations in high-growth industry sectors; (2) Collaboration. Strong collaborations among secondary and postsecondary institutions, employers, and industry partners to improve the quality of CTE programs; (3) Accountability. Meaningful accountability for improving academic outcomes and building technical and employability skills in CTE programs for all students, based upon common definitions and clear metrics for performance; and (4) Innovation. Increased emphasis on innovation supported by systemic reform of state policies and practices to support CTE implementation of effective practices at the local level.

I think you will find by the themes that Nebraska has been strategically positioned to easily transition into a new iteration of the legislation. How it will be administered and reported are still up for debate, and we have a long ways to go before something will be in place, but I am really grateful to work in a state that prepares local consortia for the road ahead, even if it bends and curves now and then.

If you know of others who would benefit from receiving this newsletter, please forward it to them and ask them to click on the "Join Our Mailing List" button to automatically receive it once a month. In August the newsletter will have a new look and feel. If there are resources you'd like PFI to share in the newsletter, please let me know.

I hope to see you at the NCE Conference, the standards writing or a professional development activity this summer! May you have a safe and enjoyable summer.

Sincerely,

Erika Volker, Director

402-305-9480

Partnerships for Innovation

LB 870 and Career Academies

In light of LB 870 (p.5) passing, PFI will not be holding a statewide Career Academy meeting this June prior to the NCE Conference as in the past. Instead, PFI in collaboration with NDE will invite Career Academy coordinators, directors and stakeholders to a late summer/early fall workshop to review the drafted LB 870 components.

Prior to and during this gathering, folks will have the opportunity to reflect on the proposed rule and make recommendations. NDE and PFI will work to keep the drafting process as transparent as possible and will provide many opportunities for input. A website is currently under development and will be linked from the PFI Career Academy web page for updates.

Thank you very much for your patience during this engaging process and we look forward to getting together later in the year.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us.

NCE Conference: Registration Open Now!

www.nceconference.com

Join hundreds of career educators from across Nebraska and plan to attend the2012 Nebraska Career Education Conference to be held Tuesday, June 5 through Thursday, June 7 at the new Younes Conference Center at the Holiday Inn, Kearney, Nebraska.

Featured Keynote Speakers:

Todd Whitaker, "What Great Teachers Do Differently"
Dan Thurmon, "Get Off Balanced On Purpose"

Conference Registration Fees:
Preconference only: $80.00 (includes workshop and lunch)
Conference only: $160.00 (includes two lunches and materials)
Preconference and Conference: $190.00 (a $50 savings)
(Late fee after May 3: $25.00)

Pre-service NCE teachers may be provided complimentary registrations (excluding professional organization meals and activities).

The NCE Conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Education, Nebraska Career Education and in cooperation with the Association for Career and Technical Education of Nebraska.

Deadline May 11 - NDOL: Game & Parks Commission Summer Employment Opportunities, Youth and Adults!

The Nebraska Department of Labor and Game and Parks Commission have partnered to offer summer employment opportunities for at-risk youth ages 16 - 20. They also need adults, 21 years of age or older who have a bachelor's degree to manage and mentor these youth across the state. If you like to work outside during the summer, or know of youth who do, this might be the opportunity you are looking for! This is available statewide. Please click below for more information posted on the PFI website.

Crew Members:$7.35/hour, transportation, lunch and protective gear provided, more than 100 positions statewide

Requirements: At-Risk Youth, ages 16 - 20

Crew Leaders: $14.89/hour, lunch and equipment provided

Requirements: Adults, 21 years of age or older, valid Nebraska drivers licsense bachelor's degree

Contact Persons:

Lincoln - Troy Larson 402-471-2438

Omaha - Peggy Kotschwar 402-595-3007

Norfolk - Darlus McWilliams 402-370-4400

Grand Island - Liane Philmalee 308-385-6300

North Platte, Lexington, McCook, Valentine & Ogallala

Nikole Huber 308-535-8341

Scottsbluff - Mary Hinojosa 308-632-1416

To apply www.neworks.nebraska.gov

* Please note, this is not a PFI funded or supported activity, this communication is for information purposes only.

In This Issue

LB 870 & Career Academy Meeting

NCE Conference

Summer Employment: DOL

Innovation Corner

The PFI Leadership Council is reading DRIVE, by Daniel Pink and 3 Signs of a Miserable Job by Patrick Lencioni. For a quicker version, click the links to watch the videos.