Programming

New Law Encourages Paid Field Experience Hours for Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs Students

New Ohio Law effective October 24, 2024, defines an “early childhood teacher preparation program”, to include a program that, upon completion results in earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. And defines “eligible institutions” of an “early childhood teacher preparation program” to include an Ohio technical center, Career-Technical center, joint vocational school district, comprehensive Career-Technical center, or compact Career-Technical center, or high school.

The new law codifies that an eligible institution shall permit a student enrolled in its early childhood teacher preparation program who is employed by an early learning and development program that participates in the state's tiered quality rating and improvement system to complete any of the student teaching requirements or field experience hours at the student's place of employment. Furthermore, the eligible institution shall not prohibit the student from being paid for their position while completing student teaching or field experience hours.

Additionally, new law directs the Chancellor of Higher Education and the Department of Children and Youth to engage stakeholders in developing strategies to place students enrolled in an “early childhood teacher preparation programs” to complete student teaching or field experiences with providers of early learning and development programs.

Career-Technical Education approved early childhood education pathway programs that include completion of the Child Development Associate (CDA) certification in their programs shall allow their students to complete student teaching or field experiences with an early learning and development program and shall not prohibit the student from being paid. Career-Technical Education (CTE) Early Childhood Education pathway programs are encouraged to engage with the Department of Children and Youth and the Department of Higher Education at the time stakeholder feedback is requested later this year after the new law is in effect October 24, 2024.

Additional questions or request for information may be directed to Dr. Josh Coleman (Joshua.Coleman@education.ohio.gov), Education Program Specialist, Office of Career-Technical Education.

Baking and Pastry Arts CTAG Performance Assessment

The Baking and Pastry Arts CTAG Performance Assessment and Recipe have been updated and posted on the Hospitality and Tourism Career Field landing page. Please contact Education Program Specialist, Sarah Kidd with any questions.

WebXam Calendar 2024-2025 

Fall Pretesting: 8/14/2024 – 10/4/2024

Field Testing: 10/14/2024 – 4/18/2025

Post-testing: 10/14/2024 – 5/30/2025

Winter Pretesting: 1/2/2025 – 1/31/2025 

WebXam Teacher Reviews

The purpose of the WebXam review workshops is to allow Career-Technical Education instructors a formal opportunity to review and comment on WebXam operational test forms. The workshop reviews should also be viewed as a tool the instructors can use to drive future instruction. The review workshops will be held onsite at CETE or, as a second option, hosted offsite at a local district through special arrangements. Individuals participating in the reviews will be required to sign a nondisclosure agreement that includes policy stating that sharing of any information attained during the review is strictly prohibited. The cost per teacher is $60. 

• October 16, 2024
• November 11, 2024
• December 9, 2024
• January 15, 2025
• February 13, 2025
• March 14, 2025

Beef in the Classroom Grant

Beef in the Classroom is a grant program for Family and Consumer Science teachers and ProStart instructors. The purpose is to provide financial support for the use of beef products in these classes. 

This program will help educators reinforce lessons about lean beef selection, storage, preparation, nutrition and food safety. 

Visit this Link for grant application and details.

For more details regarding Ohio Beef Council Classroom Resources, contact

Anna Gest, MS, RDN, LD, Manager of Nutrition Education Programs or call 614-873-6736.

Explore.Act.Tell

Take your students on a journey to be a part of the solution to prevent hunger in your community! The Explore.Act.Tell. lessons and projects work well in any class/subject area. Lessons will teach young people, through a series of activities, about the issues surrounding hunger and food insecurity and develop skills they will use to create and implement a community service project. Using a project-based learning strategy, students will: 

• EXPLORE a topic 
• Design ways to ACT on solutions by implementing a project and competing for grant funds to share with deserving organizations 
• TELL Your Story: Using a recap of the project and results, along with photos and a video, students share their story so others can join the action to fight hunger. 

Explore.Act.Tell Information Sheet

Register to Participate 

As a member, you have access to all lessons and materials under the RESOURCES tab on the Explore.Act.Tell. Website. Even better news, your students may enter the E.A.T. Challenge and win a grant to fight food insecurity for your community charity or school! For questions, please contact Stephanie@fill.foundation.

OAFCS Conference

Join the Ohio Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (OAFCS) at the 2024 Annual Conference! This event offers high quality professional development to equip and empower Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) professionals and students with:

• Educational Tools and Resources
• Leadership, Advocacy and Collaboration
• Research and Scholarship
• Trends and Technology

Dates: October 17, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) and October 18, 2024 (8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.)

Location: Nationwide & Ohio Farm Bureau 4-H Center (2201 Fred Taylor Dr., Columbus, OH 43210) 

Cost: OAFCS Members: $195, Non members: $225, Students: Free!

*Register by October 1, 2024 to avoid a $25 late fee

If you have any questions or concerns please contact: Shannon Heffernan, Vice President Annual Conference.

FCCLA

Regional Coordinator Call for Culinary Career Development Events

Ohio FCCLA is in need at least four educators to serve as Regional Culinary Career Development Event Coordinators. This commitment includes:

• Attend the Career Development Event (CDE) Coordinator in-person training on December 10, 2024
• Update the Regional Career Development Events website as needed
• Recruit and retain competition day evaluators
• Create a competition schedule and flow based on regulations
• Other competition day needs

If you are interested in serving as a Regional Culinary CDE Coordinator for the 2024-2025 school year, please contact Sarah Kidd at sarah.kidd@education.ohio.gov. 

Regional Culinary Career Development Events Dates and Locations

• Region 1: February 8, 2025 at Lorain County Community College
• Region 2: February 22, 2025 at Cuyahoga Community College (Hospitality Management Center of Excellence at Public Square, Cleveland)
• Region 3 and Region 4: February 22, 2025 at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College Midwest Culinary Institute
• Culinary Career Development Events: Baking and Pastry, Culinary Arts, Garde Manger, and Product Development

FCCLA Challenge Testing Registration is Now Open!  

National FCCLA is excited to announce that registration for the FCCLA Challenge Tests, presented by Goodheart-Willcox Publisher, is now open! This is a fantastic opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in Family and Consumer Sciences through a series of rigorous academic challenges. The tests cover a range of subjects and are aligned with both state and national FCS standards. The registration deadline for online Challenge Tests is October 11, 2024.

Additional information can be found at: https://fcclainc.org/compete/competitive-events/fccla-challenge-tests-presented-g-w-publisher.

2024-2025 Affiliation 

Ohio FCCLA celebrated a remarkable growth with 10,778 members! Whether their passions lie in Human Services, Hospitality & Tourism, Education & Training, or Visual Arts & Design, FCCLA is here to guide students on a path to college-and-career success as they navigate their future. 

• Individual: $6.00 (state) plus $9.00 (national) - $15.00 per member and per adviser 
• Middle School Package: $420 (state) plus $250 (national) - $670 per chapter plus $15.00 per adviser  
• Up to 25 Package: $150 (state) plus $395 (national) - $545 per chapter plus $15.00 per adviser  
• Unlimited Package: $516 (state) plus $775 (national) - $1,291 per chapter plus $15.00 per adviser 
• Chapters must affiliate a minimum of 12 members

2024-2025 Step-By-Step Affiliation Instructions

FCCLA + Competitive Event + EVERFI

Even though the 2024-2025 school year has just started, we know you are beginning to plan and prepare for competition season. EVERFI is now a national partner of FCCLA and sponsoring the STAR event for personal finance. Kristin Pierce, EVERFI Education Success Specialist, is here to support educators in Ohio as they implement the EVERFI resources. Please reach out to Kristin if you need support with the Career Development Event Personal Finance—​feel free to print and peruse this information sheet

 or email any questions.

FCCLA/LifeSmarts Knowledge Bowl Guidelines

FCCLA is excited to share a significant change in the 2024-2025 FCCLA LifeSmart's/Knowledge Bowl Guidelines. This year, FCCLA is increasing the number of teams that will qualify to compete at the National Leadership Conference from 16 to 40. This expansion means that more teams will have the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage and vie for top honors. FCCLA believes this change will enhance the competition and provide a broader platform for participants to demonstrate their knowledge and talents. The updated guidelines are located in the FCCLA Portal and on the FCCLA Website.

Upcoming dates: October 21 thru November 24, 2024-All teams must be registered at https://lifesmarts.org and take the Fall TeamSmarts National Leadership Conference (NLC) Qualifier Quiz.