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The mission of career and technical education in the West Des Moines Community Schools is to provide opportunities for all students to choose, prepare for, and advance in their lifelong careers or vocations. This shall be accomplished by integrating what has traditionally been called vocational-technical and academic education into a system that provides opportunities which enable persons to live in a global society, capable of competing in a world market work force, and receptive to lifelong learning.
Organized educational programs offering a sequence of courses which are directly related to the preparation of individuals in paid or unpaid employment in current or emerging occupations requiring other than a baccalaureate or advanced degree.
Such programs shall include competency based applied learning which contributes to an individual’s academic knowledge, higher-order reasoning and problem-solving skills, work attitudes, general employability skills, and the occupational-specific skills necessary for economic independence as a productive and contributing member of society.
We believe that career and technical education in the 21st century should provide diverse populations with unrestricted access to high quality courses and programs supported by adequate resources and career awareness services. Career and technical education and general education should be delivered in an integrated manner which will enhance the image of all education. We believe that the educational system will be asked to be more accountable for the learning of students. Student achievement and fiscal accountability will be key measuring devices for the future. Providing high quality career and technical education for all citizens will require quality delivery and access within the resources available.
We believe that career and technical education should be considered an equal and viable program for students throughout their educational careers, and students should have access at any point. Access must be provided for all students who wish to stop in and/or stop out of vocational-technical education programs throughout their educational careers. Secondary students should be able to pursue an integrated educational program and high school graduates should have the basic workplace skills necessary to be competitive in any type of postsecondary environment, whether it be a four-year institution, a community college, or an apprenticeship program. We believe that to accomplish this, all programs and courses must be competency-based and articulated throughout the academic environment.
We believe that preparation for employment or preparatory skill development must be planned, implemented and maintained through joint efforts of educators, political leaders, business/industry leaders, the general citizenry, and those for whom the programs are offered. We believe that programs must be located in appropriate geographical areas to maximize student accessibility. It is critical that community colleges and secondary systems collaborate to provide vocational-technical opportunities across the state through articulation, shared program agreements, and new alternatives which will provide incentive for cooperation.
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Dave Blum
(515) 633-5056
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