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.