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Research Reports
Author: Victor K.A. Gbomita
Institution: Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University, Philadelphia.
Abstract:
The project was initiated, commissioned and supported by Mike Snyder, PDE School-to-Work Liaison. Cooperative research and development effort was made by the 3 Centers for Vocational Education Professional Personnel Development at Temple University, Penn State, and Indiana University of PA. It was financially, supported by PA Departments of Education, Labor & Industry, and Commerce.
Purpose of the project is to define the functional role of the work-based mentor, so that training needs could be considered. Specific objectives are to identify the specific activities that mentors perform for proteges at the workplace during the period of their work-based interaction and to identify the activities performed by mentors for proteges in the workplace that are important for proteges to succeed at work. The project also aims to develop a protocol appropriate for training work based mentors in the Commonwealth's School-to-Work system. Specific objectives are to identify which of the activities performed by mentors for proteges in the workplace are relevant competencies for developing a training program for work-based mentors and to develop content outlines for the general categories of competence identified in the research and which, collectively, would provide a protocol for training work-based mentors.
Title: Searching for a Responsive Curriculum to Develop the 21st Century Workforce
Author: Victor K.A. Gbomita
Institution: Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University, Philadelphia.
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to use the SCANS' employability skills to identify the criteria that companies in southeastern Pennsylvania use for hiring and employment retention.
The goal was to provide information that would enable institutions responsible for developing human resources in the region align their workforce training outcomes and human resources preparation curriculum with the hiring and employment needs of industries in the region.
Title: Using the Internet to Assist the Technical Skill and Knowledge Updating Needs of Vocational Teachers
Author: Victor K.A. Gbomita
Institution: Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education , Temple University, Philadelphia.
Abstract:
The Internet is a great educational tool. It provides an excellent opportunity for teachers and students to get information without leaving their classroom. The Internet provides teachers with a good way:
- to help develop the curriculum (resource, authenticity, currency);
to plan instruction (sample lesson plans);
to facilitate management of instruction (cooperative/collaborative teaching/learning);
to provide information for student projects (resource, ideas, research);
to motivate students (promote self-directed learning).
Presentation Title: "A School/University Partnership Focused on School Improvement"
Description:
The panel of presenters provided an overview of how a university faculty came together with a small learning community of high school academic and vocational educators, and by using the SIAVE (status of the Integration of Academic and Vocational Education) Self-Assessment, initiated staff dialogue for two purposes: 1) to improve the academic education for career-bound students and 2) to design appropriate staff development.
Names and Titles of Co-presenters:
Dr. Edward B. Brower, Professor and SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University
Dr. Nancy B. Erwin, SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University
Dr. Edward S. Lyba, Director of Pupil/Administrative Services, Hazleton Area School District, PA
Ms. Nancy P. Tkatch, Culinary Arts Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center, PA
Date: July 12, 1996
Location: High Schools That Work Conference, Atlanta, GA
Workshop Title: A School/University Partnership Focused on School Improvement (Part 2)
Description: A second, one-hour session will allow the workshop participant to select two one-half hour sessions from among the following four round-table discussions pertaining to the first general session:
- establishing and sustaining small learning communities;
- using the SIAVE Self-Assessment;
- designing appropriate staff development activities from the "inside out;" and
- the role of teacher leaders in facilitating change. The small learning community formed within the Hazleton Area School District represents a good example of how a collaborative, team effort can effectively contribute to accomplishing whole school goals and overall school improvement.
Dr. Edward B. Brower, Professor and SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University
Dr. Nancy B. Erwin, SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University
Dr. Edward S. Lyba, Director of Pupil/Administrative Services, Hazleton Area School District, PA
Ms. Nancy P. Tkatch, Culinary Arts Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center, PA
Ms. Anne Klotz, Cosmetology Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center
Ms. Maria Bama, Child Care Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center
Mr. Tom Widitz, Math Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center
Mr. George Yacina, English Instructor, Hazleton High School
Mr. Joe Clark, Social Studies Instructor, Hazleton High School
Mr. Wil Nause, Science Instructor, Hazleton High School
Date: July 13, 1996
Location: HSTW Conference, Atlanta, GA
Presentation Title: "A School/University Partnership Focused on Professional Development"
Description:
The panel of presenters described the SIAVE (Status of the Integration of Academic and Vocational Education) Self-Assessment process used to initiate staff dialogue for the purposes of designing appropriate staff development. The discussion focused on the following:
- the university's role in combining sound research practice in the field of integration with existing change theory, coupled with the dynamics of collegial dialogue to develop a process by which groups can identify their own specific needs for staff development concerning the integration of academic and vocational education;
- the school administrator's perspective regarding the importance to a school district of designing appropriate staff development activities from the inside out; and
- the vocational teachers' perspective regarding the importance of participating in quality teaming activities, not only to empower teachers as a group but to model them for their students. The overall goal of the process is to improve the academic competence of career-bound students.
Dr. Nancy B. Erwin, SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University;
Dr. Edward S. Lyba, Director Pupil/Administrative Services, Hazleton Area School District; and
Ms. Nancy P. Tkatch, Culinary Arts Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center.
Date: March 13, 1996
Location: Pennsylvania State Teacher Leadership Conference, Hershey, PA
Presentation Title: "Schools That Are "SIAVEing" Themselves"
Description:
Following a brief introductory explanation of the SIAVE process in which the schools have participated, the panel presented and discussed outcomes that their schools have identified as a consequence of taking part in a SIAVE Self-Assessment.
Presenters:
Dr. Nancy B. Erwin, SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education, Temple University;
Ms. Peggy Lloyd, Cosmetology Instructor, Berks Career and Technology Center, West Campus;
Ms. Alice Clabaugh, English Instructor, Fleetwood High School;
Dr. Edward Lyba, Administrative Assistant, Hazleton Area School District;
Ms. Nancy Tkatch, Culinary Arts Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center;
Mr. Wil Nause, Science Instructor, Hazleton Area Career Center;
Dr. Michael Erwin, Director, North Montco Technical Career Center; and
Ms. Marsha Hurda, Academic Principal, North Montco Technical Career Center
Date: November 12, 1996
Location: PDE Conference on Integrated Learning: The School to Career Connection, Hershey, PA
Presentation Title: "Integrating Academic and Vocational Programs with the SIAVE Professional Development Package"
Description:
This presentation focused on the SIAVE Professional Development Package, which offers staffs a variety of approaches to examine the integration of academic and vocational education. Participants received
- "57 Strategies for Increasing Academic Performance" of students which addresses initial questions like, "What is integration?" and "How do we do it?"
- "The Strategy Analysis Group Activity" helps groups who want to know, "What are we already doing like that?" and "What's a good next step?" For academic and vocational teams who have been working at integration and want to know, "What's a better way of doing this?," they received the new electronic version of the
- SIAVE Self-Assessment Instrument and the accompanying
- "Staff Development Action Plan " which allows them to examine their efforts to date and plan where to go next with integration.
Dr. Edward Brower, Professor, and Business Education Coordinator, Temple University
Dr. Nancy B. Erwin SIAVE Self-Assessment Coordinator, The Center for Professional Development in Career and Technical Education
Date: November 19, 1997
Location: PDE Conference on Integrated Learning: The School-to-Career Connection, State College PA