WHAT IS AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE?

An advisory committee is a representative group of individuals who have work experience and skills that represent a cross section of an occupational area. The primary purpose of the local advisory committee is to assist educators in establishing, operating, and evaluating programs which serve the needs of students, business, and industry. Advisory committee members also provide expertise pertaining to industry needs and demands. Advisory committees are mandated by law.

COMMITTEES

• Provide an opportunity for discussion among people in education, business, and industry

• Focus on how to improve CTE and make the most of the community resources that are available

• Strive to improve relationships among CTE, business, and community

• Review Labor Market Data

• Provide expertise to the program by reviewing curriculum, facilities, budget, student competencies, and student placement in related occupations

• Provide an advocate for the CTE programs within a school district

• Are required to meet a minimum of three times per school year for each CTE program

• Review and Provide: Curriculum Development, Public Relations, Job Placement, Recruiting, Inservice Training, Leadership Activities, Legislative, and Program Evaluation

• Assist student interactions with business and community organizations

HOW ARE MEMBERS CHOSEN?

The committee members should include Industry Partners. Additional members can be teachers, and student representation. Committee membership is encouraged from across school boundaries and surrounding school districts.

AGENDA/MEETING MINUTES

Agenda & minutes are the official record of committee activities. Minutes keep individuals and groups informed about the committee’s concerns, decisions and actions. They remind members of their progress and document the committee’s productivity and contribution to the program. Attendance must be kept with the recommendation of using a sign-in form in order to gather signatures of the attendees.

It is not necessary to record all discussions; however, the minutes should include:

• Any decisions or recommendations made by the advisory committee (recommendations should be recorded in the same wording that will be reported to the administration)

• Responses to questions or recommendations made at previous meetings

• Assignments to be carried out following the meeting (include what is to be done, who is in charge, and date of completion)

• Items to be addressed at the next meeting

PLANNING A PROGRAM OF WORK – Every committee must have one

The overall purpose of the advisory committee is to help programs and schools improve the quality of instruction in career and technical education. As they develop a program of work, committee members should keep two things in mind: first – the needs of the program; second – the requirements of the business community.

ENGAGEMENT, ENGAGEMENT, ENGAGEMENT - Members will demonstrate a commitment to your program if they are engaged within the committee.

ESTABLISHING ANNUAL PRIORITIES = Program of Work

First decide what the committee wants to accomplish. Advisory committees are usually involved in some or all of the following broad areas:

• Community Relations

• Curriculum Review and Updating

• Community Resources

• Career & Technical Student Organizations and/or Leadership Equivalency

• Job Placement

• Program Review

• Staff Development

• Recruitment

These areas of advisory committee involvement are not meant to be all-inclusive, but rather are starting points for discussion to determine the overall needs of the program. Instructors and/or administrators are excellent resources to help identify the needs of the program.

These items should be considered as the committee discusses the selection of priorities.

• Past accomplishments

• Current and future needs of the program

• Current and future needs of the community

The number of priorities the committee selects should be kept manageable. In other words, don’t take on more than the committee can realistically accomplish.

Below is an example of an Advisory Committee Handbook as well as an agenda and meeting minutes template. Another example of an Advisory Committee Handbook can be found on OSPI's website.