ICSPS NEWSLETTER
September - October 2020

LET'S DO THIS!

2020 VIRTUAL Forum for Excellence
September 24 & 25, 2020
This Year's Conference Theme - EQUITY AND INNOVATION
Don't miss a second of this exciting conference! Download the Whova app after you register.
Check Out These Timely Sessions Presented by ICSPS!
Friday, September 25, 11 am

ICSPS continues to give you the information you need when you need it! Be sure to attend one of these timely and relevent sessions ICSPS has prepared for you!

Introduction to Universal Design for Learning
Presented by: Aime'e Julian, ICSPS & Sarah Goldammer, SIPDC

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a scientifically valid framework to improve and optimize teaching and learning for all learners by setting clear, rigorous goals; anticipating barriers; and proactively designing to minimize those barriers. Learn why we need to incorporate UDL and begin thinking about how and where to incorporate UDL in both online and in-person instruction. 

Addressing the Trauma of COVID
Presented by: Shanna Shipman, Consultant
 
Trauma-informed instruction recognizes learners’ adverse experiences and resilience as important contributors to neurodiversity in classrooms. As we educators become more aware of trauma’s effect on the brain and the learning process, we can adopt practices that are trauma-aware and positively shape the learning environment for all. This awareness is crucial as we teach amidst an ongoing pandemic, widespread economic hardships, and racial tensions that impact our communities and learners. Join us to learn practical instructional strategies that can support students' resilience and readiness to learn.


Don't Miss Out on Forum Fun!

While we may not be able to gather face-to-face, the Forum for Excellence has and will continue to be a platform designed to network career, technical, and adult education providers. This year’s networking may look a little different but be sure to join in on some exciting vendor sponsored activities including morning yoga, coffee connection, trivia, and more! To learn more visit the Forum for Excellence homepage to view the conference agenda.
Forum Trivia Night! Register Early - Limited Spots!
Thursday, September 24, 6-8 pm

Show off your silver screen smarts and join us for the virtual Forum Movie Trivia Night! After you register, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to the event. Be sure to register early, (there are only 200 spots available) so you have extra time to brush up on your Family Friendly Films trivia! Sponsored by ETS HiSET and facilitated by TriviaHub.

To register for Trivia Night, use this link and navigate to Thursday September 24, 6-8pm on the agenda and click on the session.
COVID-19 (coronavirus) has affected the most foundational aspects of our society, including our education systems and nation’s economy. With millions of Americans unemployed and some industry sectors shuttered or undergoing rapid transformation, Black and Latinx workers, workers with a high school education or less and female workers have been disproportionately impacted. Now, more than ever, CTE is vital to our nation’s learners, employers and America’s economic recovery.

States play a critical role in making the case for CTE. As such, Advance CTE released new assets to help state CTE leaders communicate with policymakers, the media, employers and other key stakeholders. 

Below is a brief overview of each asset and how it can be used. However, before you get started, make sure you, your staff and key spokespeople are speaking the same messages. Use the talking points in this resource to help guide your presentations, resources you plan to develop, and ensure consistency across all who will be talking about this important issue. Of course, supplement state and local data if you have it! 

VIDEO: 


CTE is a program that works for both learners and employers, and should be a critical component of America’s road to economic recovery. In this short video, there are major talking points that help make the case for CTE. All data referred to in the video is cited here. Link to this video on your state websites and in social media posts. This video can also be embedded in your presentation slide decks and in newsletters.

FACT SHEETS: 


Secondary CTE is critical to preparing learners for an evolving workforce and ensuring they have the foundational and transferable skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. For secondary CTE learners and those individuals at the beginning of their careers, losing opportunities to gain hands-on experience and job training can have a major long-term impact. This fact sheet helps to make the case for a continued investment in our K-12 CTE programs. 


One study estimates that 60 percent of job losses may be temporary [2] while other studies predict a quarter of job losses being permanent. [3] It is imperative that we continue to invest in CTE and workforce systems to ensure individuals can have the opportunity to reskill and upskill to be prepared to re-enter or advance in the post-coronavirus economy.

Link to these fact sheets on your state website and in your presentations. Use them as leave behinds at in-person meetings (if you are having them).  

PROMOTIONAL TOOLS: 


This promotional toolkit provides recommended newsletter language and social media posts, a blog post and graphics. Use these graphics with the recommended language on your social media channels, in your presentations, on your state website and in your newsletters.

In this guide, you are provided ways to use the assets, independently or together, in your state and who to communicate with to make the case for CTE.
Wednesday Webinars

Digital Infrastructure, Access, and Skills: Analysis of Digital Divide Inequities
September 23, 2020 10:00 am - 11:30 am
 
Testing in the Remote World
September 30, 2020 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Case Study - Brandywine School District

Learn how the Brandywine Delaware school district increased the participation of girls in Design and Engineering by using NAPE's Program Improvement Process for Equity (PIPE). Teams from the district's three high schools participated in PIPE training and implemented an activity that resulted in 46% of the participating middle school girls enrolling in the Design and Engineering pathway.
Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins each year on Sept. 15, celebrates U.S. Latinos, their culture and their history. Started in 1968 by Congress as Hispanic Heritage Week, it was expanded to a month in 1988. The celebration begins in the middle rather than the start of September because it coincides with national independence days in several Latin American countries: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica celebrate theirs on Sept. 15, followed by Mexico on Sept. 16, Chile on Sept. 18 and Belize on Sept 21. Learn more key facts about the nation's Latino population.