CTE Represented at State Budget Hearing

Vo c at i o n a l U p dat e

As many of you know the State of Illinois is continually working to balance their budget. As a result, they are looking at cutting expenses. These cuts could impact many of the programs schools are currently offering as well as the overall funding for schools as a whole. Because of these proposed cuts, the state held five hearings in various regions to get input from the districts and the community. On November 19, the last of those five hearings took place at Granite City High School. Of all the sessions, this one was the best attended. Multiple individuals, superintendents, teachers and students spoke about the countless educational needs in the state in addition to the various programs districts offer their students. Career and Technical Education (CTE) was very well represented! More than half of the speakers discussed the value of Career and Technical Education in respect to student engagement, business and industry benefit, college readiness, and even value of service per dollar of funding. While the administrators and teachers did an excellent job conveying the importance of Career and Technical Education, the student speakers were the real stars. More than twenty students from around the area attended the hearing and represented Career and Technical Education very well. In some cases it looked like a sea of navy blue jackets which represented the many FFA (Future Farmers of America) organizations in the area. Students spoke about how much they have learned in CTE classes and how much those CTE classes have increased their confidence, engagement with school, and communication skills. Those of the surrounding districts who sent students and even those that didnt should be proud of the amazing individuals CTE has helped produce.

Collinsville ARea Vocational Center

NOCTI Testing this spring

In order to give our students the best possible skills and credentials, this year we are implementing NOCTI certification testing. NOCTI, a National CCRS member since May 2012, is a leading provider of high-quality technical competency assessment products and services for the secondary and post-secondary educational institutions in the United States and around the world. NOCTI services include job and task analysis, standards development, assessment development and delivery, scoring and analysis services, and student recognition. NOCTI also has expertise in specialized reporting, professional development services, and assessment program management at both the local and state levels. The Chicago Public School System has been using NOCTI for many years and many of the businesses and industries in that area utilize NOCTI results as part of their interviewing and hiring practices. Whether used as part of a professional portfolio or as a means of program and self assessment, we believe the information NOCTI provides will help our students meet their academic and professional goals. NOCTI also recommends college credit for some of their assessments. Click below for more information.
http://www.nocti.org/pdf/College%20Credit%20Initiative.pdf

C.N.A. Students prepare for their first day of clinicals!

Collinsville AreaVocational Center is planning an open house/reunion

We would like to invite all former students and teachers to come back for a visit as well as anyone who is interested in seeing what we have to offer. Tuesday, March 12. Save the date!

HOSA Students prepare float for CHS Homecoming Parade!

Orientation to Health Occupations Students practice skills needed in the Health Occupations field.

Skills USA Students Attend Fall Leadership Conference

Five Skills USA students attended the Fall Leadership Conference in Bolingbrook, IL on November 1-3. They were able to enjoy an evening of shopping and experiencing the Navy Pier before a rigorous 2-day conference held by the state officers, including Collinsville's Mayci Miller, the Skills USA State President. After the opening ceremony, students were broken into sessions focusing on leadership, team building, parliamentary procedures, and community service. Students from across Illinois participated in a community service project run and led by Mayci Miller for HIS KIDS, an organization servicing families affected by childhood cancer. The conference ended with an opportunity for all students to participate in a leadership competition preparing them for the State Conference in April. Collinsville was well represented as Junior, Kelsey Stosberg placed first and Seniors, Caily Nosbisch placed second in Early Childhood Education, Jacob Davis placed first in Job Skill Demonstration where he demonstrated and explained an arrest procedure, and Michael Garcia placed 5th in Quiz Bowl. Michael Garcia and Jacob Davis also earned their Statesman Award and will be recognized in April at the State Conference.