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February 16, 2007
The CareerTech
classroom is a very powerful setting as it conveys an accurate image
to the legislators providing an actual point of reference. Inviting
the legislator into the classroom is much more effective than the educator
visiting the legislator at the Capitol. It also provides a forum for
career and technology educators to discuss issues impacting career and
technology education such as instructional needs, equipment, professional
update, legislative topics, and to get legislators' commitment to demand
full funding of theCareerTech Budget Request. In addition,
the legislator has the opportunity to experience theCareerTech
classroom.
Suggested Activities...
Involve the legislator with the students, with the program, and with the
concept of the career and technology structure so as to increase their
understanding of its importance. "Model" programs are those
where students are involved and learning, not where everything is "perfect."
Plan and allow for them to see your needs as well as your successes.
Be ready to follow up after the visit with reminders for what they were
able to experience and what they can do to assist with needed improvements.
Brainstorm with your colleagues and administrators regarding the following
suggestions or any other ideas you may have. Consider combining several
of these as well.
- Plan only a portion of the day for concentrated activities and
encourage the legislator to visit as many sites and programs as possible.
Work with other career & technology educators at your school.
In large districts, split up the legislators among your colleagues.
- Invite the school photographer and local and community newspaper
reporters to report on the legislator's visit. Consider videotaping
the visit and/or contacting the local television stations to cover
the event.
- Invite the superintendent, administration, advisory committee,
business and industry partners, and the legislator to discuss open
forum topics with the students or as a panel for the students. i.e.
importance of career & technology education, school-to-work, applied
academics.
- Set-up short (3-5 min) interviews for the legislator so they can
meet individually with students or local CTSO officers to discuss
political aspirations or career & technology issues.
- Have the local CTSO officers and advisory council conduct a round
table with the legislator to discuss ideas on how to improve the career
& technology education system and/or local programs.
- Schedule different teachers/programs at your site to host the legislator
so they can experience more than one program.
- Ask the legislator their area of expertise or interest to determine
if they could present or demonstrate a lesson to the students.
- Have the students show the legislators their projects, plans, accomplishments,
and goals for the class or have students teach a skill to the legislator.
- Before the legislator arrives, have students list their own opinions
on the strengths and weaknesses of the career & technology programs
and how the legislator could help improve the program.
- Have students responsible for hosting the legislator and show them
the parts of the career & technology programs they feel are important.
- Have a parent/adult student committee meet with the legislator
to explain their perspectives of the success of career & technology
education.
- Invite former students to discuss theirCareerTech experience
and how it has enabled them to be successful in the workplace.
- Along with the legislator, invite community and corporate leaders
to view the facilities and programs as well as the chance to meet
with the legislator.
- Have each student write a thank you note stating what they felt
was vital from the day.
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