Grades 3-6

Teaching How Innovation Nurtures Knowledge (THINK)- Teaching How Innovation Nurtures Knowledge is a program created by Fresno Unified' s Career Technical Education Department and the Lyles Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fresno State. THINK is a monthly career-based challenge program that allows students to solve problems that are rooted in the engineering design process. These are a system of bi-quarterly build challenges that expose students to careers in public service pathways. This program is currently active at 60+ elementary schools within our district. 

Collaboration between Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs and counseling services can greatly impact student enrollments in a positive way. When CTE and counseling work together, they can provide students with comprehensive support and guidance, helping them make informed decisions about their career pathways and increasing their interest and engagement in CTE programs. Here's how collaboration between CTE and counseling can lead to increased student enrollments:

1. Career Exploration: Counselors can play a crucial role in introducing students to the wide range of CTE programs available and help them explore different career options. By providing career assessments, organizing career fairs, and conducting one-on-one career counseling sessions, counselors can help students identify their interests, strengths, and career goals. This information can then be used to guide students towards CTE programs that align with their career interests, increasing their motivation to enroll in these programs.

2. Academic Planning: Counselors can work closely with CTE instructors to develop academic plans that align with students' career aspirations. This can include helping students select the right courses, develop a sequence of CTE classes, and create a roadmap towards achieving their career goals. By providing academic support and ensuring that students are on track to meet the requirements of their chosen CTE program, counselors can help students feel confident and motivated to enroll in and complete their chosen CTE program.

3. Individualized Support: Collaborative efforts between CTE and counseling can result in personalized support for students. Counselors can offer individualized counseling sessions to address any academic, social, or emotional challenges that students may face while pursuing their CTE program. This can help students overcome barriers and stay on track with their CTE coursework, leading to increased student retention and completion rates.

4. Promotion and Marketing: CTE and counseling can work together to promote CTE programs and create awareness among students, parents, and the community. Counselors can actively promote CTE programs during parent-teacher conferences, open houses, and school-wide events. They can also provide information about CTE programs on school websites, social media, and newsletters. By effectively marketing CTE programs, counselors can generate interest and excitement among students, leading to increased enrollments.

5. College and Career Readiness: Collaboration between CTE and counseling can help students develop the necessary college and career readiness skills. Counselors can provide guidance on resume writing, interview skills, job search strategies, and college application processes, which can prepare students for success in the workforce or further education after completing their CTE program. This can motivate students to enroll in CTE programs as they see the relevance of these programs in preparing them for their future careers.

In conclusion, when CTE and counseling collaborate, they can provide a holistic approach to supporting students' career exploration and readiness, leading to increased student enrollments in CTE programs. By combining academic planning, career exploration, individualized support, promotion, and college and career readiness, CTE and counseling can create a supportive environment that encourages students to enroll in and complete their chosen CTE programs, setting them up for success in their future careers.

A well-defined budgeting process is a structured and comprehensive approach to creating and managing a budget. This process involves several steps that allow individuals or organizations to plan and allocate resources effectively, while also monitoring spending and adjusting the budget as needed.

The first step in a well-defined budgeting process is to establish clear goals and objectives. These goals and objectives are guided by the sites mission and vision statement. The internal structure of the CTE department works with on site coordinators to develop these goals and objectives, as well as outlines key grants (such as Perkins or Strong Workforce) and stipulates what each body of funding can do to support students needs and outcomes. 

The slideshow proximal to this explanation is evidence of the training that takes place with each CTE teacher and coordinator at multiple touchpoints in the academic year. CTE coordinators works with the needs of teachers to purchase subscriptions, replace consumables, purchase materials, admissions to various experiences, relevant tools an machinery and coordinate transportation. CTE coordinators are supported by the director and their team of coordinators to ensure a proper outline and utilization of funds is appropriate. 

Once the financial data has been analyzed by coordinators, the next step is to develop a detailed budget plan. This involves identifying specific line items, setting targets or limits for each item, and allocating resources accordingly. It may also involve setting up contingency plans or reserve funds to address unexpected expenses or changes in the financial landscape.

Finally, a well-defined budgeting process involves ongoing evaluation from the CTE Director. This includes reviewing the effectiveness of spending in on targeted markers of student success and making adjustments as needed based on changes in the financial landscape or shifts in organizational priorities. It may also involve soliciting feedback from stakeholders: such as board members, parents, industry partners and students to identify areas for improvement or potential opportunities for cost savings.

Overall, a well-defined budgeting process is a critical tool for effective financial management, allowing individuals or organizations to plan, allocate, and monitor resources in a structured and strategic way.