Texas Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM) 1995 – 2012 1.

Texas Workforce EducationCourse Manual (WECM)1995 – 2012

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Before the WECMApproximately 33,000 CTE courses were individually

approved and on college “inventories” across the state.

Difficulties with portability of credits to and from Texas community and technical colleges.

Difficult for employers to determine levels and content of training received by students from various colleges.

Other state agencies had to individually approve courses

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What is the WECM?Workforce Education Course Manual (WECM)The WECM is a web accessible database of

preapproved courses for use by the State’s community and technical colleges.

Housed and funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)

Managed by the WECM Project StaffOverseen by the WECM Leadership CommitteeMaintained by community and technical college

faculty at Annual Course Review WECM Workshops

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Why Do We Need the WECM?Consolidation and standardization of workforce

courses across the state (33,000 then, 17,000 now)

Ensure that curriculum remains current and aligned with industry needs

Allow for portability of credit between Texas community and technical colleges

Provide for a mechanism to allocate state contact hour reimbursement dollars

Provide assurances and accountability to the legislature for workforce training dollars

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What is the WECM Project?An ongoing evolving processA “field driven” processA website and database maintained by the Texas

Higher Education Coordinating BoardA catalog of courses, not programsA network of workforce higher education

professionals from across the state of Texas

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What is the WECM Protocol?A document published on the WECM website that reflects decisions made in the creation of the WECM and those made by both the THECB and the WECM Leadership Committee since that time. It addresses•course structure and course types, •course review workshop models, •the roles of professionals in the WECM maintenance, and •the composition and operation of the WECM Leadership Committee. http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/AAR/UndergraduateEd/WorkforceEd/wecm2000/WECMProtocolManual.pdf

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Who Keeps it Going?WECM Project Staff–daily operation & WECM

WorkshopsWECM Leadership Committee – oversee maintenance

and maintain WECM ProtocolTACE WECM Committee–review CE ST & LNWECM Workshops – review courses within a CIP code

approx. every 3 years, typically in the summerFacilitators – college administrators (CE or credit)Instructional Specialist – college faculty (CE or

credit)Data Specialist

THECB – assist in maintenance, maintain database9

Why Review a WECM Course?The review, revision, creation and archiving of

WECM courses is done consistently and according to the WECM Protocol.

Triggers for a WECM Course Review includethe number of local need and special topics

courses submitted since last review, changes in technology, changes in external agency requirements, State curriculum initiatives, etc.

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WECM Course Review WorkshopsPast course selection methodThree-year rotation for courses within a CIP.

Special Topics/Local Needs courses within the

CIP.

CIPs that were affected by the various triggers

were added as appropriate.

A “mish-mash” of courses being reviewed any given

year.11

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WECM Task Force

1. Develop a better process to group courses for review

- Career Clusters- Career Pathways

- Programs of Study

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WECM Task Force

Within a Career Cluster: • the foundation level knowledge and skills extend to

all pathways within the cluster

• then at the pathway level there is another common group of knowledge and skills

• the specialty level the skills are unique to a pathway.

(Ruffling, 2010).

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16 Career Clusters-The sixteen career clusters provide an organizing tool

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WECM Task Force

1. Develop a better process to group courses for review

- Career Clusters and Programs of Study

-Allow review of Common Courses with Instructional Specialists from Programs of Study

- Data evaluation required

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Common Course Example

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WECM Task Force1. Develop a better process to group courses for

review

- Career Clusters and Programs of Study

-Allow review of Common Courses with Instructional Specialists from Programs of Study

-Continue to use triggers- ST/LN submissions- Certification/Licensure changes- WECM Comments- Emerging Technologies- Etc.

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WECM Task Force1. Develop a better process to group courses for

review

- Career Clusters and Programs of Study

-Allow review of Common Courses with Instructional Specialists from Programs of Study

-Continue to use triggers 2. Evaluate the workshop format

- New Format – begin 2012

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WECM Task ForceNew Format – begins 2012

Workshop format - Day 1

Half–day facilitator training

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WECM Task ForceWorkshop format - Day 2 – Instructional specialists arrive

1. Orientation to workshop review procedures• Protocol• CIP Codes• Rubrics• Course Titles• Course Descriptions• End – of – Course Outcomes• Career Clusters• Programs of Study• Common Course Review2. Course review begins

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WECM Task ForceWorkshop format - Day 3

• Course Review

•TEKS Review – assist Texas Education Agency with mandated task of making changes to TEKS standards

WECM Task Force 1. Develop a better process to group courses for review

Career Clusters and Programs of Study Allow review of Common Courses with Instructional

Specialists from Programs of Study Continue to use triggers

2. Evaluate the workshop format New Format – begin full implementation with 2012

workshops

Assist Texas Education Agency with mandated task of making changes to TEKS standards – began with 2011 workshops

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WECM Task Group Questions?

Jeffrey ParksDean of Industrial and Applied TechnologySan Jacinto [email protected]

Garry TomerlinDirector of Academic AnalysisTarrant County [email protected]

Dawn FinleyWECM Project DirectorMidland [email protected]

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