EDUCATION AND TRAINING
Project Summary
To enhance student transition from high school to the community college in the area of teacher education, a number of strategies have been initiated. Based on the pathway template, over 90 program pathways have been created that link the high school program of study with a corresponding community college program of study.
A part-time former Anne Arundel County Public Schools resource teacher continues to provide outreach to high school students enrolled in the Introduction to Teaching, Childhood Development courses and additional career clusters areas to make students aware of career opportunities and the steps for successful college transition. The Anne Arundel Community College TEACH Institute full-time instructional coordinator remains the pivotal connection from AACC to the high school guidance counselors, college advisors and education department staff at four-year colleges and universities. Her role assures smooth transitions for students interested in teacher education and training. The project will continue parent outreach activities to help facilitate successful high school student transition. In October 2005, a part-time AACC Transition Advisor joined the CCTI project. As a retired high school guidance counselor, she is very familiar with school processes and procedures. She maintains office hours on-site at participating high schools and serves as a link between the schools and AACC.
Accuplacer test data collected through the CCTI efforts has confirmed a weakness in the secondary school students’ readiness for college math. Strategies to strengthen students’ ability in this area include the addition of a required 4th math class, the development of a bridge class, and the integration of Accuplacer into the PSAT class.
AACC’s TEACH Institute has established several new programs over the past several years that include Associate of Arts in Teaching (A.A.T) in Early Childhood Education and Secondary Math, Spanish and Chemistry, Teaching Paraprofessional Certificate and Special Education Support Certificate. The secondary A.A.T. in Secondary Physics was added during the 2005-06 school year. Presently, the Elementary Special Education AAT is also available to students. Recruitment strategies have been developed to introduce potential students to these programs and the range of career opportunities to which they lead. All A.A.T. degrees transfer seamlessly into baccalaureate degrees at Maryland public and private colleges and universities.
Project Documents
School Partners
Arundel High School, Center of Applied Technology North, Center of Applied Technology South, Chesapeake High School, Glen Burnie High School, Meade High School, North County High School, Northeast High School, and Old Mill High School
Corporate Partners
Anne Arundel County Public Schools and Daily Discoveries
