National Career Pathways Network Conference; Orlando; Oct 12-14

Don’t miss this networking opportunity if you are you involved in… • career pathways • programs of study • the common core • adult career pathways • career technical education • counseling • teaching and learning • workforce development Mark your calendar for the 2014 National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) conference to be held at the beautiful Buena Vista Palace on the Walt Disney World® Resort on October 12-14, (across from Disney Marketplace). This year’s conference theme is Building Capacity: Aligning for the Future, and what better place for that setting than Disney World. What a fun and innovative combination! This year’s conference will be built around the Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education (OCTAE) 10 Component Framework for Career Pathways as encouragement for each of you to build capacity for the next round of Perkins. Program Strands* include:

1. Legislation and Policies 2. Partnerships 3. Professional Development 4. Accountability and Evaluation Systems 5. College and Career Readiness Standards 6. Course Sequences 7. Credit Transfer Agreements 8. Guidance Counseling and Academic Advisement 9. Teaching and Learning Strategies 10. Technical Skills Assessments

*Program strands match the 10 components of the OCTAE Framework for Career Pathways and adult career pathways will be infused throughout the conference.

Whether you are a postsecondary or secondary educator or involved in workforce development in another capacity, the NCPN conference gives you the opportunity to learn and network. There are over 125+ sessions, an exhibit hall, best practices, and national experts . . . all for you to learn and grow. Here are some highlights (Keynote and Featured Speakers) from the conference:

• Mark Mitsui (scheduled to attend); Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Colleges, OCTAE, U.S. Dept. of Education • Sharon Lee Miller (scheduled to attend); Director, Division of Academic and Technical Education, OCTAE, U.S. Dept. of Education • Pedro Esteva, President and CEO; IMCA; Dominican Republic • Jason Tyszko, Senior Director, Policy; U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation • Andrew Vanden Heuvel, Teacher, Michigan Virtual School; Michigan Online; Teacher of the Year 2011 • Chad Foster, Author, Career Readiness for Teens

In addition to the regular conference strands, there are some special sessions: Mini-Strand: NSF’s Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program The goals of NSF ATE, Career Pathways, CTE, and STEM initiatives are mutually supportive. Attendees will learn how secondary-postsecondary-business partnerships are created and maintained and discover how to participate in the NSF ATE program.

Preconference Institutes; Sunday, Oct 12

Are You Certified? Industry Certification and Credentialing-Prominent leaders discuss industry credentialing and where and how industry credentialing fits into your institution’s plans. Technology-Infused Classroom -Designed to help educators tap into the appeal of electronic devices to provide interactivity and authentic learning.

Adult Career Pathways Leadership Certification -Explores the role of adult education in the ACP system. Topics: Vision of an ACP system; adult education in the ACP system; partnerships; industry career ladders and academic training ladders alignment; bridge programs; and contextual teaching.

Learning Today to LEAD Tomorrow -Focuses on leadership, innovation, and strategies for building leadership among Career Pathways leaders. Topics: Accountability, change, coaching, communication, conflict resolution, organizational culture, professionalism, motivation, relationship building, strategic planning, and teamwork.

Career Pathways Effect Series: Teaching for Success -Designed to support teachers in their role as learning facilitators within a Career Pathways system. Topics: 21st-century teaching and learning challenges; brain-based learning research; connecting knowledge and application; contextual teaching and learning; support systems; role of business and industry; and recommendations for success.

Employer and Presidents Institute--Focuses on bringing employers, college presidents, and CTE directors together to discuss skill sets and return-on-investment.

Career Pathways Effect Series: Counseling for Success -Highlights the need for progressive counseling, early childhood through adulthood. Topics: Career guidance theory, tools, and support; role of career counselors in programs of study; counselors as the lynchpin and facilitator; and individual learning plans.

TOUR: Legoland Florida (1:00–5:00 p.m.; includes lunch; bus boards at 12:10)-Join us to learn about LEGOLAND Florida, the variety of positions we seek, and the theme park industry as a whole. Includes presentation of what LEGOLAND Florida looks for in the ideal candidate to join our Model Citizen community.

Career Pathways Leadership (CPL) Certification -Designed to empower local and state personnel to implement Career Pathways and provide strategies, tools, and resources. For certification, you must attend this institute and at least seven sessions from the main conference program on Monday and Tuesday.

Online registration is now available! Be sure to register by July 15 to take advantage of the Early Bird discounted rate: http://www.ncpn.info/registration.php. More information on the conference is available at www.ncpn.info under "2014 Conference”. We hope that you make plans to attend and bring your family to enjoy the local attractions. See you in Orlando! Debbie Mills, Director National Career Pathways Network dmills@cord.org