Culinary Management External Review Report

Schenectady City Schools

Steinmetz Career and Leadership Academy

Culinary Management Program

External Review Report

2019-2020

General Information- There were 11 people invited to participate. Of those 6 Replied. The replies were from one former chef, a corporate foodservice manager, one Schenectady City community member , Dean SUNY Schenectady School of Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Department , representative from SPED, and one other CTE Teachers. The COVID lockdown created an unanticipated obstacle that made contacts and work difficult. I do feel that it was a pretty good cross section of the advisory board.

There was one person that completed the form incorrectly in that he selected the scale wrong. Subsequent contacts revealed that it was in error. Despite him filling out the subsections as not recommended, they recommended the whole program which made it pretty obvious it was an error. The follow up contact confirmed this mistake. It was corrected it by resubmitting.

Curriculum Review- Of the 6 replies, all 6 gave the full recommendation for approval. No recommendation were given. One member stated, " The curriculum appears to be extensive, comprehensive and organized. Obvious open enrollment makes it challenging to have commitment to curriculum. I feel that the culture created by the instructor facilitates success."

Teacher Certification- All 6 replies were for full recommendation for approval. One member suggested teacher seek professional certifictations such as American Culinary Federation certification.

Assessment Review- All 6 replies were for full recommendation for approval. Two members are familiar with the rigor of both the NOCTI and the Quarlters test and the level of differentiation in this program's delivery.

Articulation Review- All 6 gave it full recommendation.

Work Based Learning- 6 gave full recommendation

One member stated, "Not too familiar with off campus work-based activities. However, the instructor takes a hands-on approach on campus and initiates many hands-on events for the students to gain practical experience. "

We have been expanding our relationships more and more through our Advisory Board and our Schenectady Rotarians. It is always a balancing of trying to complete as much real work as possible without stepping on the toes of local businesses that do the same jobs that are often potential employers for our students. We have done a lot within our own school and with local organizations. Another balancing is the educational value of some projects. Completing catering events for groups is educational. Producing 1000's of cookies is tedious and loses its educational value of production but does continue to have educational value with business needs.

Employability Profile Review- 6 gave full recommendations. 1 comment was.

"The students will get out of the program what they put into it. The instructor has created a culture where the student is held accountable. I feel that she is very respected and serves as a great role model for the students. Chef Macey herself is very connected to the industry."

We struggle with the profiles and the way we keep them. We want them to be informative and useful working documents, but have found that they can quickly get away from us and become very cumbersome to complete. Right now they take 45-60 minutes to complete. We also want to make it so that employers could do them, and with the current time it takes we would not be comfortable asking them to complete it. It was hoped that the CDOS counselors could help with this, but it never happened. I do not have good answers for this one.

Program Information Review- All gave full recommendations.

Overall Program Approval was unanimous with all giving their full approval. Comments were

" I have NEVER encountered a more dedicated, compassionate and professional group of teachers, counselors, social workers and administrators than I have at this extraordinary career and technical education school."

"This is a fabulous program that provides a great education and opportunities for a variety of experiences to students. "

"All aspects of the program are satisfactory and in congruence with the identified requirements. "

"The Culinary CTE program run out of SCLA rivals the private culinary school that I attended. The students are given full exposure to the expectations and rigors involved with kitchen professions. "