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Technical Education

5 States Developing Green Curriculum

Five states have committed to developing green career and technical education initiatives. In collaboration with the United States Department of Education, the Education Department's Office of Vocational and Adult Education, and the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education, the states will create secondary and post-secondary programs that will lead to certificates and associate and bachelor degrees.

The Department of Education described the goals of the initiative this way: "Programs of study incorporate secondary and postsecondary elements in a progressive, non-duplicative curriculum, featuring coherent and rigorous technical and academic content and leading to a post-high school, industry-recognized credential or associate or baccalaureate degree."

According to information released by ED, the National Research Center for Career and Technical Education will lead a 14-month program to help the states--Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oregon--develop their initiatives with the help of a facilitator and consultants. This winter, teams from each state will also engage in a three-day academy in which they'll receive technical assistance.

As part of the program, Georgia will focus its efforts on construction, energy, and transportation; Illinois will focus on energy, utilities, and waste management; Ohio will tackle agriculture, biotechnology, and energy; and Oregon will focus on construction and solar and wind energy. (New Jersey, the fifth state participating in the program, did not specify a particular area of focus.)

"Programs of study should build on sound career development theory and may utilize dual or concurrent enrollment options or other strategies that will more effectively link high school and postsecondary education," said National Research Center Director James R. Stone III in a statement released this week.

"Green means healthier learning environments for students and adults, plus lower energy costs and a stronger economy," said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, also in a statement released this week. "Green programs of study support the administration's goal of expanding a green workforce by preparing students for high-skill, high-wage jobs in a clean energy economy."

Further information about the program can be found here.

About the Author

Dave Nagel is the executive editor for 1105 Media's online education publications and electronic newsletters. He can be reached at dnagel@1105media.com. He can now be followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/THEJournalDave (K-12) or http://twitter.com/CampusTechDave (higher education).

Comments

Wed, Oct 14, 2009 Pamela Lizotte Hartford, CT

Please forward any & all materials/info re: this kind of curriculum

Thu, Sep 3, 2009 Allen Doty Warren,mi

Please forward any info you can on this curriculum

Thu, Aug 27, 2009 Dawn Colavita Indiana

I'm wondering if this project is considering using videoconferencing. Our website, www.cilc.org has a number of Content Providers/Subject Matter Experts that have already developed programs that address these 'green topics' and would be willing to create more to fill a need. Many of them also have programs focused on these types of careers or again, could easily create them. CILC would welcome the opportunity to work with the planning committees to help bring green curriculum into these schools from around the country and the world. Please contact me for further discussion. Sincerely, Dawn

Mon, Jun 29, 2009 Barbara Hockabout north central Arizona

Please forward information about this program. We are building a sustainable certification and degree program at our community college.

Thu, Jun 25, 2009 Stephanie Colorado

Who do we get in contact with if we want to initiate this type of program in our state? This is a great opportunity for educators and students.

Thu, Jun 25, 2009 Blanco Houston, Tx

Makes me wish I were in high school again and that has never happened before! I wish Texas would get onboard!

Wed, Jun 24, 2009 James William Olathe

A green curriculum!! what a beautiful idea to parents who are guiding our children through http://w DOT ww.completecurriculum.com I think its a beautiful idea, and I just need that the Ministry of Education thinks about as a good subject for our children.

Wed, Jun 24, 2009 John Daytona, FL

This is an exciting opportunity and wise choice for these states! How can Florida "jump on the band wagon"? What must Florida do to become a significant part of this endeavor?

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