The West Virginia Department of Education is committed to supporting our career technical education programs. These programs serve a critical need in our state and have provided enriched learning and work experiences for thousands of students.
We realize that changes will be necessary in the delivery of instruction, the development of school schedules and the administration of career technical education. These unique learning opportunities require creative and strategic planning to meet the needs of students. The information available on these pages will serve as a framework for the upcoming school year.
Use already developed and established subgroup areas of Advanced Career Education (ACE), Adult Education, Career Technical Education (CTE), and Diversion & Transition to address unique concerns.
Ensure that every student is on-track for success in college, enlistment, career, or entry through industry recognized credentials, National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI), and Career Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs). Administrators, instructors and stakeholders will ensure each individual student’s needs are met based on their existing Personalized Education Plan (PEP).
Develop a process to use Life/Recovery Coaches and CTSO leaders to act as student mentors and ensure availability to students as they return to school.
Assess local technology and broadband accessibility, and work with the West Virginia Department of Education to develop resources for students with limited access.
Conduct the recommended technology assessment readiness survey to assess the readiness of facilities.
Use CARES Act funding in ACE schools to enhance technology innovation, professional development and/or purchase electronic resources for student learning.
Ensure that CTE/ACE students and instructors are using the state-approved content skill sets (CSSs) and reviewing recommendations for virtual and blended learning.
Conduct school-level reviews of West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources (WV DHHR), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and local county health department guidelines, and should continue to collaborate with state leaders to help identify best practices and preventative measures.
Develop and communicate an overall class scheduling plan for re-entry. This communication should be shared with students, instructors, parents, advisory council members and other community partners.
Work with the West Virginia Department of Education to train instructors on appropriate ways to implement blended or virtual learning delivery opportunities as well as training for parents and students on remote learning platforms.
Communicate decisions and guidance around testing, credentialing, online/hands-on learning activities, and policies with school leaders, instructors and community stakeholders.
Set expectations around the Simulated Workplace environment to align with safety requirements determined by WV DHHR, OSHA and local health departments. These expectations should be shared with students, instructors, school leaders, parents and community stakeholders.
Review Content Skill Sets (CSSs), certification requirements, and assessments to develop and assist schools in identifying the learning needs of all students.
Design and share processes for 2020 graduates to return to complete testing and credentialing.
Create a contingency plan for Fall remote learning that uses CTE electronic resources and guidance on virtual instruction with Simulated Workplace.
Implement a plan for assessing students’ work-readiness needs though pre-assessments and use new online study guides to address technical deficiencies.
Work with the West Virginia Department of Education re-entry advisory council to ensure technical and adult education changes are incorporated into testing, grading, policies, and initiatives.
Train student mentors in the Life/Recovery Coach process to ensure they are ready to provide social-emotional and mental health support services.
Provide COVID-19 awareness training which covers safety and prevention measures for school personnel and students.
Ensure all classroom labs and equiment are sanitized according to WV DHHR guidelines. Confirm personal safety equipment inventory is adequate and restock as needed. Modify high contact areas in accordance with WV DHHR and local health department social distancing guidelines.
Conduct safety, sanitation and learning management system/electronic resources training for all students within the first week of classes.
Create a contingency plan for Fall remote learning that uses CTE electronic resources and guidance on virtual instruction with Simulated Workplace.
Ensure that students conduct daily pre/post safety and sanitation inspections for each classroom and schoolwide common areas through the Business & Industry (B&I) inspection process.
Conduct pre, as well as, ongoing surveys to evaluate all learning experiences. Evaluate the effectiveness of all learning experiences by surveying school leaders, instructors, students, parents and community stakeholders to gather their feedback and input, to make improvements.
Use Life/Recovery Coaches, CTSO and Simulated Workplace leaders to provide ongoing support for our most vulnerable students.