CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN DISTRICTS

#CVWbeInvolved www.cedarvalleywest.org Facebook @CedarValleyWest

CEDAR VALLEY WEST SCHOOL DISTRICTS

Superintendent Contact: Jon Thompson, Aplington-Parkersburg

Larry Hunt, Dike-New HartfordTim Kuehl, prior Gladbrook-Reinbeck

Cassi Murra, Grundy Center

INTRODUCTION: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

Began Think Tank in January 2011 & Consortium in spring 2012.

Association for career education and economic development between a region.

Forward-Thinking Superintendents Aplington-Parkersburg CSD Dike-New Hartford CSD Gladbrook-Reinbeck CSD Grundy Center CSD

“Hollowing Out the Middle” by Carr and Kefalas What are we doing to make career and community connections

with our students? Funded 100% by the four public schools. Staff of one.

INTRODUCTION: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

Connecting students to career opportunities which allow them to make informed educational and career decisions

Promoting our region as viable communities who are providing an outstanding quality of life with extra-ordinary career opportunities.

SacIdaWoodbury Webster

PaloAlto

Louisa

DesMoines

Muscatine

Fremont

Monona

Lee

BlackHawk

PocahontasBuenaVista HumboldtCherokee

HancockCerroGordo

AllamakeeWinneshiek

Howard

Keokuk

Buchanan

Pottawattamie

Clayton

Dubuque

Jackson

Osceola Emmet

Kossuth

DickinsonLyon MitchellWinnebago Worth

Sioux O'Brien Clay ChickasawFloyd

Fayette

Plymouth Wright Franklin Butler Bremer

DelawareCalhoun Hamilton Hardin Grundy

Benton LinnTama JonesCrawford Carroll Boone

MarshallGreene Story

Clinton

CedarHarrison Dallas PolkShelby

AudubonJasperGuthrie Poweshiek Iowa Johnson Scott

Madison Warren WashingtonMahaskaMarionCass Adair

Jefferson HenryWapelloClarke Lucas MonroeMills Montgomery Adams Union

Page Van BurenTaylor DavisRinggold Decatur AppanooseWayne

Map of Iowa Intermediary NetworkApril, 2013

Quad Cities Career Connections

Cedar Valley West

Workplace Learning Connection

Student Career Connection

Community Career Connections

MAKING & MANAGING COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS

CONVENE• COLLABORATE

ACROSS SECTORS

CONNECT• BROKER AND

PROVIDE SERVICES

SUSTAIN• INFLUENCE

POLICY TO SUPPORT BEST/EFFECTIVE PRACTICES

MEASURE• Ensure quality

and impact

CONVENE: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

Local Schools: Administration, Counselors, Educators, Students and Parents Career and Technical Advisory Groups, Professional Learning Communities

Higher Education Partners: Hawkeye Community College and University of Northern Iowa

Business and Industry Supported by over 100+ businesses

Local, County and Regional Resources Economic Development, Workforce Development, Extension Offices, etc.

Community Service Organizations Marketing for Businesses Share our successes and program

Model for public schools in the State of Iowa, presenters, collaborators and social media users

ENGAGED LEADERSHIP

CONNECT: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

’12-’13 School Programming (8th-12th)• Job Shadows (183)• Internships (42)

• Worksite Tours (179)• Career Speakers (155)

• Mock Interviews/Workplace Readiness Prep Classes (14)• Behind-the-College-Scene (137)

• Project Lead the Way Activities (36)• HS Graduate Student Services (6)

Teacher Professional Development (13) & Community Outreach• Career Exploration, On-site Worksite Tours, Teacher

Interns• Teacher Professional Development- Program

Alignment• Community Connection Meetings

COORDINATED SERVICES

MEASURE: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

Outcome Combined Program Results

Built awareness of career opportunities in their community and region

97%

Positively influenced decision to LIVE and/or work in the CVW area

85%

Impacted choice of high school classes 67%

Influenced decisions related to college, courses, and majors

88%

Importance of making career connections through CVW programming

100%

Provided valuable career information regarding their interests

82%

Made a connection between employability skills and qualities needed for today’s working world

85%

MEASURABLE IMPACTS

SUSTAIN: CEDAR VALLEY WEST

Focus on positive professional relationships ONE connection between businesses and schools providing

age-appropriate and engaging programming. Funding: split equally

Five-year commitment from schools; in it for the long run. Staff of one.

Intermediary funding is crucial for expansion of services Meet with Iowa Intermediaries, committees and IA Legislators

on topics of: funding, policies, providing high-quality career programming to all students

Tailor our program to meet each school district’s goals. Let the Director guide the program. Hiring the right people.

SUPPORTIVE POLICIES