Career and Technical Education Continuity Plan Frequently Asked Questions
Questions will be added as we receive them. Please email questions to jturner@alsde.edu
Curriculum and Credentialing
1. What is considered critical for alternate instruction in CTE based on the guidance given during the state webinar on Friday, March 27, 2020?
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Arts, AV Technology & Communications; Business Management & Administration, Education and Training; Finance; Government & Public Administration; Hospitality and Tourism; Human Services; Information Technology; Law, Public Safety, Corrections and Security; Marketing; and STEM: Schools/CTE Centers should consider the best possible implementation of the CTE course of study based on their LEA Academic Continuity Plan. A variety of instructional delivery methods can be used to meet the standards such as digital, Online, virtual, webbased, paper-based, etc. is encouraged as it relates to the implementation of the CTE Course of Study standards.
HSc: The content standards in the course of study should be covered. Skills may be demonstrated through video to provide students exposure to the processes. Keep your local workforce in mind when determining the skills most relevant to your students.
TDL, AC, M&C: Courses of Study should be covered with the instructional materials available. Online may be done with NCCER written parts only. Career Essentials is available for all SkillsUSA programs. ICAR can be continued online. Burmax has offered some online course work. Virtual or online work should align with Course of Study standards.
2. What are the expectations for Career Tech students based on our decisions in our Academic Continuity Plan?
At a minimum, CTE students should make every effort to master the Course of Study Content Standards of the enrolled course. Mastery of standards may be observed, demonstrated, or reported using a variety of methods. Furthermore, credentialing, employability and safety are critical. As for student credentialing, it is recommended that LEAs give priority to juniors and seniors while adhering to the ALSDE Credentialing Guidelines. Also reference Q14.
3. Can online and take-home CTE assignments for students in Grades 9-11 be like academic assignments?
This is an LEA decision. Please refer to your approved LEA Academic Continuity Plan.
4. How can students test who are preparing for Certified Nursing Assistant?
The CNA credential requires a cognitive exam and a hands-on skills exam. Both portions must be successfully completed to obtain the credential. At this time, the hands-on portion is still required and there are no plans to omit this step. This must be done on-site at an approved facility in front of an RN. The SDE is not mandating that students attend testing facilities. Three agencies provide the cognitive exam and they currently require testing at an approved testing facility. We have inquired about their ability to offer live remote proctoring. Prometric has responded and they do not currently have the ability.
ALDPH requirements for credentialing: At this time, the requirements to credential have NOT been altered. Updates will be provided if any part of this changes. Suggestions:
1. Consider offering the Certified Patient Care Technician credential instead (if we are unable to test for CNA). The content is very similar. You would need to add information on phlebotomy and EKG interpretations. The National Healthcare Association is offering Live Remote Testing and the students would be able to credential from their homes without the requirement of attending a facility to test their hands-on skills. These students would not be eligible to work in long-term care facilities, but they would be able to apply for positions in any other healthcare facility.
2. Partner with your local long-term care facilities and create an agreement where all students completing your CNA program are allowed to test through the LTC facility’s CNA program after the COVID 19 restrictions are lifted. These facilities might also be able to add the completion of the mandatory 16 hours of internship experience to the agreement in the event you were unable to meet this requirement prior to the shutdown.
3. Partner with a local community college to create an agreement allowing your students to complete the components and test through the community college’s CNA program after the COVID 19 restrictions are lifted.
5. What hours will be required for students currently enrolled in work-based learning?
If a student was in good standing of WBL hours at the time of school closing, the earned hours up to that point will be adequate. Under no circumstance should a student participate in a work experience sponsored by the school. These placements should cease immediately. WBL Coordinators will be required to submit student work hours to Tony May by June 5, 2020.
6. How can an LEA ensure equity even if a CRI is given online at no charge if all students do not have access to a computer especially if the school is a Title I school?
Refer to the approved LEA Academic Continuity Plan.
7. When is the last day to credential a student?
The last day to credential a student is June 5, 2020.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) will have an extended deadline that will be determined by when childcare facilities open for students to complete the verification visit.
8. When is the last day to submit CRI grant reimbursements?
The last day to submit CRI grant reimbursements is July 30, 2020.
9. When is the last day to enter a credential into INOW?
Currently, the last day to enter credentials is June 5, 2020.
10. When will resources be available for credentialing?
Resources are available as of March 31, 2020.
11. Can students still credential using Microsoft Imagine Academy?
The Microsoft Imagine Academy actually contains the curriculum resources students use to assist in preparing for MOS and MTA certifications along with GMetrix, the student practice software. It is strongly recommended that students continue to maximize the benefits available for preparation and practice prior to taking a MOS or MTA exam.
If you are wondering if students can still credential in MOS or MTA, the answer is yes. In an effort to support schools and students to continue their education online in these extraordinary times, Certiport has developed a home-based solution that allows for administered exams that certification candidates can take from home. As stated in Q2, priority should be given to juniors and seniors. The last day to credential a student is June 5, 2020. Additionally, please refer to your LEA Academic Continuity Plan regarding equitable access.
12. Can students still credential in Health Science?
Please use this link to see the most current updates regarding credentialing agencies for Health Science. CNA is covered more specifically in Q4 above.
Many of the credentialing agencies have developed a Live Remote Proctoring option to allow continuity with credentialing. Any requirement of an onsite skills demonstration will diminish the likelihood of being able to credential during this pandemic.
We are attempting to communicate with PearsonVUE to determine if they will be able, or willing, to offer a Live Remote Proctoring option. The PearsonVUE testing facilities are currently closed. This affects the CNA, EMR, EMT, and Pharmacy Technician credentials.
Lifeguarding is not a viable credential to seek at this time.
13. What should mentors who have not finished the mentoring cycle do?
Mentors should continue mentoring virtually. Complete the mentoring forms, answer the surveys at the links below
2019-2020 ALACTE Survey In-Service Teacher Survey
2019 - 2020 Alabama Teacher Mentor Post Survey
14. What are the guidelines for in-state travel for students? What are the guidelines for out-of-state travel for students?
Currently students are not allowed to travel. We will update this question as the guidelines change.
15. I am currently working with educators to try to salvage the rest of our school year and make sure our students earn their Alabama Certified Worker Certs (Ready to Work). I was reading in the manual that in the prison system "printed assessment " is an option.
Is there any way we can offer printed assessment for students who do not have internet access? What concessions can we make to make sure all of our students have an opportunity to finish the program?
Teachers and students may download the curriculum materials for each module in the Administrator Portal and Student Portal respectively. However, all assessments must be proctored.
16. Can students still obtain The Child Development Associate credential?
The Council for Professional Recognition is working with candidates to extend the deadline for students to obtain the verification visit portion of the credential. Formal guidelines are forthcoming from the Council.
Funding
17. Will the Agriscience Education Extended School Year Grant still be awarded for summer of FY20?
Award notification letters were disseminated to LEAs in early March. Agriscience teachers who were awarded the FY20 grant will follow the policies outlined in the grant. Teachers may work non contract days until the beginning of the 2020-2021 contract period. This includes any weekend days spent while off contract. LEA policy will be followed with regard to employee travel. Local amendments regarding working activities may be made as needed. Example: a district or state FFA event during the non contract period is cancelled, the teacher may choose to supplement a local activity or a day of professional development or a day on campus working in the lab/classroom/greenhouse/farm, etc. Days on campus are subject to local LEA policy. Any unspent funds will be returned to the ALSDE along with the teacher’s Final Budget Report, copies of PD certificates, and Final Desk Audit. For additional questions please email Andy Chamness at jchamness@alsde.edu.
18.What happens to funds that will typically have to be amended in May or so? (SREB Grants/O&M/Perkins/JAG Grants, etc.)
Any and all budgets may be amended based on LEA timelines. SREB grant must be obligated by September 30, 2020. O&M must be obligated by September 30, 2020. Perkins V funds must be obligated by September 30, 2020. JAG Grants must be obligated by June 5, 2020.
19.
a. What is the status of the remaining TAPE review pilot site visits for this school year?
b. Are we expected to submit LEA Form 14-1 Annual Quality Assurance Document for this school year?
a. Since this was our pilot year, the remaining pilot site visits will not be required.
b. Although the submission of the form is not a requirement, completion of the form will ensure program quality.
20. If a school system is scheduled to be monitored in the Fall, what is the status of that?
LEAs will be notified once the Compliance Monitoring Schedule is developed and approved for release.
21. What should Simulated Workforce grantees expect regarding pending site visits?
If you have not had a visit yet, please contact Jennifer Burt
22. When will LEAs receive training on the Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment and Jobs EQ?
Webinars will be scheduled in late April and early May. Watch for specific dates in the Weekly Director Updates.
23. Will LEAs have extended time to spend Perkins V funds?
No, Perkins V funds must be obligated by September 30, 2020.
24. Can LEAs still amend eGAP budgets? ?
Yes. Follow your normal LEA procedures for amending eGap budgets.