Show Wednesday applied academics May 25 1994 THE RICHFIELD REAPER 9-- Bridging the gap between theory and practice Dr Jerald S Hawley regional coordinator of Tech Prep and Custom Fit director at Sevier Valley Applied Technology Center believes that education should supply an experience as well as an explanation something he plans to tell anyone who will listen Tech Prep or technology preparation combines knowing with doing by em- phasizing applied aca- demics As technical and academic education are in- tegrated students are guided into informed career choices and preparation for those careers while still in high school PARADIGM pear-a-dim- e -- - an example that serves as a model Paradigms are changing rapidly in many phases of American life but none so fast as what students need to know in order to qualify for blue collar jobs Old paradigm: A boy who wants to be an auto mechanic has to learn about gears valves and understand a little about so-call- ed electricity New paradigm: A boy or girl interested in becoming an auto mechanic will have to know how to use a computer other words Hawley explained those familiar In ter high school to decide what they want to do with questions parents and teachers are accustomed to hearing - "What do need this class for? When will I ever use algebra physics their lives chemistry use algebra physics chemistry literature again?” — should be answered with the applied academics emphasis of Tech I -- literature again?" should be answered with the applied academics emphasis of Tech Prep -- - Custom Fit a related program works with new and expanding companies with their training needs Hawley will go to job sites and help employers identify their needs “What do I need this class for? When will I ever Prep assist with screening and testing potential employees and customize training plans This is a state funded program that provides training dollars at local sites for jobs that require less than a four-yedegree ar Both of these programs are inspired by statistics that show the majority of high school graduates enter adulthood without the edu- cation and skills to achieve their full potential The average age of those who enter or return to an applied technology center for training is 28 “What that means" Dr Hawley said “is that these people have probably been out there floating around in minimum wage jobs because they didn't have the skills to get into a real career" For some family responsibilities usually wake them up to the reality that they need to upgrade their job skills but for others it may take those ten years af In Utah 15 percent of those entering ninth grade drop out before graduating from high school Half of the 48 percent of high will school graduate who enter colleges or universities do not graduate and 41 percent of high school graduates make other life choices Other concerns behind the development of Tech Prep and other vocational programs for high school students: 80 percent of new jobs will require more than a high school education but less than a degree four-ye-ar Students need to connect their educational experiences to the world of work Everyone must be prepared to change careers numerous times throughout their lives Employability skills for jobs of the future include problem solving and reasoning computer operation high level ability in reading math and communications occupational proficiency critical thinking ability to work as part of a team ability to make decisions ability to accept change Dr Hawley an educator since 1964 with time out to work in real estate for 12 years has had business and education experiences that enhance his current assignment with vocational As founding programs director of the Southwest Educational Development Center 1967-7- 4 he saw the need for and fostered support services resources for rural school districts He and his wife Marilyn also an educator live in Richfield and are the parents of five children He will be working with Tech Prep and Custom Fit in Piute Sevier Wayne Sanpete Juab and Millard Employers say all students need to be better prepared tor the demands of a technological society counties By the year 2000 44 percent of all Jobs will Include collecting analyzing synthesizing storing and retrieving data Starting with the 1994-9- 5 school year he will be located at Central Utah Education Services in Richfield coordinating activities with Snow College and Sevier Valley ATC Agriculture has become agribusiness how young for people prepare jobs and careers are reflected in the evolution of the curriculum adopted by high schools and few changes are as dramatic as those in vocational agriculture Changes At in Richfield High School it’s intensive for students and a continual learning experience even for experienced teachers like McKay Jenson who has to stay abreast of every advancement that will change the way his students will operate when they are managing farming their own businesses of Last year with 25 to 30 students in space designed for 15 Jenson had the challenge of creating a classroom more conducive to successful learning and keeping up with changes Region vocational director Leon Stewart has collaborated with Jenson and his students to remodel their classroom building science and computer labs and upgrading the shop The task is complete In the new science lab students will do plant experiments feed analysis microbiology and dissecting Jenson says Having a lab will add dimensions to the three-quarte- rs program he has been unable to provide to this extent before especially for the advanced and college level courses he teaches With an emphasis on applied experience the rejuvenated program will help students keep up with changes in the world of the North Those Sevier program under the direction of teacher Randy e Andreasen have a ranch for their applied ag experience farming in mini-cattl- Emphasizing applied uses and a more scientific approach teachers are taking advantage of computer technology to help the farmers of the future meet the challenge “Never have so few fed so many" is a slogan about American farmers that has become a test of the ingenuity of American ag teachers as well Ag teachers in the district subscribe to the Ag Ed Network out of Minnesota for student research resources A new word agribusiness has become part of the vocational vocabulary It is any business related to the production of food clothing and shelter 60 percent of all jobs relate to agricultural production agribusiness or the process of marketing and distribution As a course in school it up-to-da- te includes instruction in repairing small engines like tillers and chain saws building construction tractor and machine maintenance electrical and welding plumbing skills in addition to the growing and information marketing associated with crops and animals About half of the vocational ag students at Richfield are girls a reflection of the changing face of agribusiness A related course in the Richfield vocational program is a natural resources environment class taught with the help of the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management in Richfield |