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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Academy-Special-focus program in which academic and vocational teachers collaborate around a single theme. Most are schools within schools, but often these programs encompass the entire school (U.S. Department of Education).
Applied academics-A practical method of contextual teaching and learning theory that puts academics in the context of real workplace experiences.
Apprenticeships-Programs that use the workplace as a learning environment to develop students' competencies in technical areas and related mathematics, science, communication, and problem solving. Students learn by doing in the workplace with the help of mentors. In some programs, qualified students receive recognized occupational credentials when they complete the programs. Registered apprenticeships combine supervised, structured on-the-job training with related theoretical instruction that is sponsored by employers or labor and management groups that have the ability to hire and train in a work environment.
Articulation-A process of coordinating policies and practices among sectors of the education system to produce a seamless flow of students from one level to another; an attitude of willingness of educators to work together to transcend the individual and institutional self-interest that impedes the maximum development of the student; and a goal to create an educational system without artificial divisions that eliminates loss of credit, delays, and unnecessary duplication of effort (W. Henry Con and James Hardy, "School University Network: Toward a Model of Articulation," North Carolina Association Quarterly, 1978)
Authentic assessment-A type of assessment that seeks to address widespread concerns about standardized, norm-referenced testing by representing competency in behaviors and attitudes within the community or workplace setting. It should reflect actual learning and instructional activities both in and outside the classroom. Tools of authentic assessment include portfolios, observation, on-demand demonstrations, and so on.
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Career major-A term roughly synonymous with "career pathway" but that incorporates both the career concept and the academic major concept that have existed in postsecondary and professional education
Career pathway- A coherent, articulated sequence of rigorous academic and career/technical courses, commencing in the ninth grade and leading to an associate degree, baccalaureate degree and beyond, an industry recognized certificate, and/or licensure. The Career Pathway is developed, implemented, and maintained in partnership among secondary and postsecondary education, business, and employers. Career Pathways are available to all students, including adult learners, and lead to rewarding careers.
Cluster-A group of related careers. Nearly all careers fall into one of a small number of clusters. Examples are business and marketing, engineering- and science-related occupations, and health occupations.
Consortium-A local organization of people and entities that have the ability, desire, and time to make significant changes in the local education system. The entities include at least one postsecondary institution, one or more high schools, employers representing the local labor market, civic and parent groups, and economic development groups.
Contextual learning-A proven concept that recognizes that learning is a complex, multifaceted process that goes far beyond drill-oriented, stimulus-and-response methodologies. Learners process new information in such a way that it makes sense to them in their own frames of reference.
Cooperative learning-Students collaborate and interact in the achievement of shared learning goals.
Core curriculum-Content common to most career clusters
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Internship-A program of working under supervision in an occupational area to gain experience in a specific field; gaining practical experience
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Job shadowing-A student follows an individual as he or she performs workplace tasks for a designated number of days. The student experiences the work environment and better understands the types of skills needed for specific occupations.
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Mentoring-An organized system of pairing a Tech Prep student with an adult who is working in the student's chosen career field.
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Occupational specialty-A category of jobs within a career that is commonly recognized by employers. Sometimes this is called a "technical specialty."
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Performance assessment-The measurement of educational achievement through observation of the performance of tasks that call for the student to produce a response like that required in the environment in which the knowledge, skill, or attitude being assessed will be used
Portfolio assessment-A type of performance assessment that requires students, teachers, parents, and community employers to reflect upon overall student outcomes through portfolios. The portfolio showcases a student's best work or work in progress, producing a record of mastery or a movement toward mastery over time.
Project-based learning-A process of teaching and learning that involves a relevant and authentic problem that demands knowing something about the world of work. Project-based learning should involve a scenario of an authentic workplace problem, students should be required to use high-level skills and knowledge from at least one academic discipline, the solution should involve use of information technology, the project must engage students for a sustained effort, and the problem should be solved using teams.
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SCANS-Secretary's Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills
School to Work-An educational reform movement focused on workforce training initiatives
Skill standards-Sets of specifications setting forth the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind necessary to perform in given occupational settings. These standards should in no way be intended to define issues of personal or individual choice or infringe on constitutional freedoms that are essential to a democratic society.
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Tech Prep-A dynamic educational reform movement that involves partnerships, teaching and learning processes, and curriculum structures to prepare any student to enter and succeed in a career. See example definitions under ABCs of Tech Prep.
Technical core curriculum-A set of courses typically taught in the high school that build on a context-based academic curriculum and are common to one broad technical field.
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Worksite learning-Learning that occurs at the job site and that focuses mostly on work skills and knowledge. Typical strategies for worksite learning are job shadowing, mentoring, internships, apprenticeships, and cooperative work assignments.
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National Tech Prep Network www.cord.org
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