Embedded Files
At Prosser Career Education Center, partnerships are essential to the mission and vision of the educational program. Through collaboration with community and industry members, teachers, leaders, and leadership team members identify unique and meaningful ways for students to engage within the community in which they live, explore STEM career opportunities, and participate in extended learning opportunities.
Prosser excels in meeting the Essential Elements within Domain 4: Partnerships. Community partnerships exist throughout Prosser Career Education Center; Prosser exceeds element expectations of 4.1 Community Partner Feedback through collaboration with more than 100 community partners.
Members of the community, industry partners, employers, and families serve on committees, complete surveys, and provide written and verbal feedback regarding the current STEM program to leaders and teachers of Prosser. Prosser Career Education Center teachers, leaders, and STEM leadership team members are actively engaged with community and higher education partners throughout the state. Focusing on 4.3 Community Engagement, Prosser has established partnerships to promote STEM education and programs through guest educators, study trips, job fairs, student employers, and work-based experiences for students.
Prosser community partners also assist in outreach and recruitment initiatives with the goal of helping all local students make informed decisions that support their unique future goals. As previously noted, Prosser Career Education Center is supported by an Executive Leadership Council as well as program-specific advisory committees representing each program area.
4.1 Community Partner Feedback
A STEM Advisory Board is established consisting of at least three local community partners, from different sectors, that provide feedback on the school's STEM program.
More than 100 Prosser Career Education Center's community partners, who represent a variety of career fields and organizations, are involved in advising local STEM programming. While there are many partners involved in supporting the growth and effectiveness of programs, the following three partners stand out as some of the most involved: Ford, Toyota, Samtec, MAC Construction, Amatrol, and Dan Cristiani.
Members of the Prosser Community Local Needs Leadership Team (4.1.B) and members of Program Advisory Committees (4.1.A) engage in formal and informal discussions throughout the year. A STEM Education Survey for Partners (4.1.C) and data collected from the survey (4.1.D). A separate standardized Advisory Committee minutes template (4.1.E), must be completed at least twice per year by programs. These activities provide valuable feedback for teachers and program administrators, and they help to drive decisions regarding program resources and program activities. They also document meaningful employer engagement, which is a requirement for all career centers who accept federal funding through the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Perkins V). Every two years, partners also participate in a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment of local career and technical education programs. This process includes the collection of feedback via surveys as well as data analysis and discussions during a series of live meetings (4.1.F)
Summary of revisions made based on STEM Advisory Board feedback
Improve STEM awareness middle school and elementary aged students (Evidence 4.A)
STEM AMP opportunities starting at early age
Grades 6 & 8 to support their career pathway planning
Strengthen partnerships outside of Advisory Committee (Evidence 4.B)
i.e. Electrical looking at solar or wind technologies as a program option
Provide additional appropriate professional development from workplace partners to encourage more people to obtain workplace specialist license to teach in STEM related areas (Evidence 4.C)
4.2 STEM Career Exploration
At least 90% of students have direct experiences with STEM professionals and/or professional STEM work environments quarterly.
100% of Prosser Career Education Center students participate in career exploration activities. Career exploration consists of job search, resume writing, mock interview, job shadowing, micro-internships and semester long internships is a required component of all Prosser programs. Additionally, regular program experiences engage students with STEM professionals through out field trips (4.2.A), mock interviews (4.2.B), Options Day (4.2.C & D), Manufacturing Days (4.2.E), student competitions, such as SkillsUSA(4.2.F), guest speakers(4.2.G) and work-based learning. Students are also encouraged to attend off-campus events such as post-secondary visits and college and career fairs. Prosser tracks all students after they graduate (12 months) gathering the follow up placement data. This allows Prosser to see if students are enrolled in school, are employed (civilian or military)(4.2.H).
Mock interviews are held annually with all students participating. Interviews are conducted with the program's Advisory Board members role playing the employer. All students, also, participate in Options Day that is held yearly. Options Day allows all students to speak with employers(civilian and military) as well as college admission representatives. Students inquire about topics ranging from setting up a job shadow to internships to employment to college admissions and military opportunities. All first-year students are required to complete a four hour job shadow experience. Senior students are encouraged to do a week long micro-internship and seniors are eligible for a semester long internship the second semester of the year(4.2.I)
4.2.C Options Day
4.2.D Options Day
4.2.E Manufacturing Days
4.3 Community Engagement
Five or more local community partners are actively engaged in the STEM program
Culinary Presentation
Criminal Justice Presentation
Established community partners actively support the Prosser Career Education Center STEM program through serving as Program Advisory Committee members, guest teachers, mock interviewers, competition judges, employers, etc. Established partners represent social service organizations, economic development groups, post-secondary representatives, and business and industry experts across all Prosser content areas. The involvement of Prosser Career Education Center community partners serves to guide programming, strengthen student engagement, provide information and feedback, and support professional networking. Some examples of active community partners include Dan Cristaini, Mechanical Contractor' Association of Kentucky, Star Electric, Bill Collins Ford, Gaylor Electric, Enterprise Rental Car, and Martin's Bodyshop.
Star Electric, a local Commercial Contractor for nearly 40 years in the community has been a strong supporter of the Electrical Apprenticeship program. Many of their present employees are graduates of the program. They have always participated in Job Shadowing, Micro-Internships, and Internships and provide students with real time experiences on the job site. Owner, Steve Kraemer has spoken to the class and provided demonstrations, and Joe French, Project Manager, has provided architectural drawings of special projects they have been involved in.
Gaylor Electric, a national corporation who employs hundreds of Electricians and Apprentices, has also been a tremendous support. They have brought in their mobile training lab (a semi trailer) for demonstrations. They employ many graduates from the program. Students who go to work for Gaylor can do anything from power distribution, large industrial installations, and have always been a part of Work Based Learning experiences. Both are members of the Craft Advisory Board for the program.
Bill Collins has donated two cars, 2015 Focus and 2016 Focus. They are active on our advisory board. Students Job Shadow, Micro Internship, and Internship at the dealership. The service manager and technicians speak with our students about opportunities in the automotive repair industry. They also are a sponsor of our summer camp program for middle school students. Participate in mock interviews. Bill Collins along with Ford Motor Company supply the opportunity for our students to earn up to 75 Ford certification through the Ford ACE program.
Martin's Bodyshop has been a huge asset for our program. Since they have started helping they have taken students for Job shadowing, Micro internship, Internships, Mock Interviews, and Guest speaker presentations. Mr. Martin has helped also by providing teacher summer internships, as well as sitting on the advisory board, and donations to our program by buying shirts, or donating tools and equipment.
The leadership at Dan Cristiani has continued to go above and beyond in assisting Prosser with student success. The company recently donated $5000 to help purchase equipment and training materials necessary for students to have industry standard equipment to operate. This support also allows for our students to maintain current methodology and practices necessary to compete and to be placed after their time at Prosser. This company also donates "in-kind" by participating in our Work-Based learning program by offering placements for student growth as well as serving on Advisory Committees and guest speaking to students, parents and community organizations.
The Mechanical Contractors Association of Kentucky (MCAKY) has donated $15,000.00 dollars to be split between the HVACR and Welding programs over the past 4 years. This money was specifically earmarked for tool purchases in our program areas. They wanted to be able to provide tools for the students so that they could get the best education possible. Along with the financial commitment to the programs the Association Contractors have scheduled multiple times throughout the year to come into classrooms and speak to, motivate, and mentor our students. They have also been instrumental in providing employment opportunities for students and insuring the Local 502 Pipefitters Apprenticeship are doing all they can to draw students from the HVACR Program.
4.4 Extended Learning
STEM activities, such as robotics and engineering clubs, internships and apprenticeships are available and accessible by at least 50% of students in an on-going basis and participation mirrors school demographics.
Prosser Career Education Center offers a number of co-curricular experiences, extra curricular events, and student-supported STEM outreach activities.
Outreach Activities
Prosser's summer camps invited middle school students in to some Prosser programs, i.e. Business, Auto Technology, Fire/EMT, for a week to learn more about the programs and complete some STEM based projects.(4.4.A)
Our Build-a-Bed program partnered with Metro United Way and the building trades program to cut all the wood to allow companies to come in and easily assemble beds. These beds are given to students in the community that do not have their own bed. (4.4.B)
The Building Trades program the last two years have been building houses for Habitat for Humanity. (4.4.C)
Co-curricular
Future Farmers of America for Horticulture students
Pro-Start for Culinary students
Skills USA which covers 20 programs.
Extra Curricular events
Making Strides for Cancer (4.4.D)
In the Down with Derby event, the cosmetology students volunteered their time to do hair and makeup for down syndrome ladies. These ladies then attended a Tim Tebow Night to Shine.(4.4.E)
Students also engage community members and extend their learning through volunteerism (4.4.B, C, D, E), work-based learning placements(4.4.F), pharmacy externships, and Certified Nurse Assistant clinicals. Greater than 50% of students participate in extended learning activities on an ongoing basis, and the Prosser team continues to organize extended learning opportunities for students. Prosser currently works with all students, parents, and employers about transportation and time of day for work based learning opportunities. Most students will drive themselves to work based learning and or after school activities, if not, parents will bring the student's to Prosser for the activity. Transportation to all FFA, Pro-Start and SkillsUSA is provided by Prosser.
In comparing demographic of participants to demographic of school population, the demographics of Prosser population are 51% Male, 48% Female, 5.6% African American, 7% Hispanic, 82% White, and 4.5% other match the demographics of those students who participate in internships, SkillsUSA, FFA and Pro-Start. These programs are available and accessible to all students at Prosser. Some students choose not to participate in extended learning opportunities for a variety of reasons including: after-school employment, athletics, and family responsibilities.
Currently, Prosser Career Education Center is in the process of formalizing State Earn and Learn (SEAL) youth apprenticeship pathways in auto technology, diesel, sterile/central processing technology, auto collision, automation and robotics, heavy equipment operator, industrial electrical and welding. Career Pathways Specialists help to arrange work-based learning placements and monitor student growth toward agreed upon performance standards.
4.4.A Summer Camps
4.4.B Build a Bed 4.4.C. Habitat for Humanity
4.4.D Making Strides for Cancer
4.4.E Down With Derby
4.5 Equity
Provides at least three opportunities/modes, with an action plan, to inspire and inform underrepresented students group about careers in STEM fields
Prosser Career Education Center is committed to advancing students in our community. The staff and students at Prosser work hard to ensure that all students are aware of STEM learning opportunities and that they are able to make informed decisions that support their unique goals and interests (4.5.A.) In addition to hosting a strong social media presence, and mailing program brochures to every eighth, ninth and tenth grade students in our twenty one sending school high schools. Over the past year, we have hosted or participated in events such as Sophomore Tours(4.5.B), Open House(4.5.C), Orientation, and Paint It Pink(4.5.D) .
Mock interviews are held annually with all students participating. Interviews are conducted with the program's Advisory Board members role playing the employer.
Open House:
Prosser hosts an evening Open House every January to encourage 8th, 9th and 10th grade students and parents to attend and investigate STEM programs and career opportunities. This also allow students and parents to talk to instructors and Advisory Board members about curriculum, job opportunities/career paths, dual credits/certifications that students are eligible to receive through Prosser programs. (4.5.C)
Sophomore Tours:
In November, December and January, all Prosser Career Education Center feeder schools bring their 8th graders to tour career programs. Students get to see instructors and current students in action. This highlights the STEM career based technical training available thru Prosser. (4.5.B)
Orientation:
Prosser teachers organize and hold an orientation before the start of school for all first year students. Orientation allows the teachers to discuss with the parents and students the STEM objectives, NLPS, Employability Skill Standards, and the project based learning they will be experiencing that year. Prosser Ambassadors (Student mentors from each program) provides students and parents directions and are another point of connection to inform visitors about STEM experiences.
Paint It Pink:
Prosser Career Education Center provides more opportunities to inspire and inform underrepresented students of careers in stem fields. Paint it Pink is open to fifth grade girls of our feeder schools. The purpose of the Paint it Pink program is to allows girls to participate in STEM programs that are nontraditional for women, for example, Welding, Precision Machining, Computers and Automotive. (4.5.D)
Options Day:
Options Day allows all students to speak with employers(civilian and military) as well as college admission representatives. Students inquire about topics ranging from setting up a job shadow to internships to employment to college admissions and military opportunities.
Signing Day:
On Signing Day, students signing a letter of intent to go to a college, join the military, begin an apprenticeship or employment are spot lighted. (4.5.E)
Mock Interviews:
Mock interviews has promoted awareness in the different STEM opportunities among community members who are involved with Prosser Career Education Center Programs.
Intentional efforts are taken to recruit and involve partners who represent the diverse demographics of our student population and our local community. Prosser Career Education Center students are able to engage with successful community members who share characteristics similar to theirs in terms of gender, race, background, etc. The staff members at Prosser believe that this intentionality promotes student motivation and an appreciation for others.
Diversity of demographic characteristics is represented among Prosser Career Education Center student Ambassadors(4.5.F), in informational brochures, social media communications, course curricula, and school imagery. Regardless of one's background or personal characteristics, all students at Prosser are welcomed, respected, and supported. We believe this is evidenced by the fact that our very diverse student population consistently performs above the state average in terms of graduation rates, dual credit attainment, and work-based learning participation.
4.5.B Sophomore Tours
4.5.C Open House
4.5.D Paint it Pink
4.5.E. Options Day
4.5.F Student Ambassadors
Page updated
Report abuse