Regionalizing CTE Programs: Yours, Mine, or Ours?

Zerryl Becker, College of the Desert

Kimberly Schenk, Diablo Valley College

Melynie Schiel, Copper Mountain College

What is regionalization??

Organizing and presenting CTE curriculum through cooperative arrangements among colleges within a common geographical

region

Why is regionalizing CTE being considered?

• Budget–Potential economies of scale–“Doing what is best for jobs and the

economy”• Reducing redundancy based on LMI• More options for students

Why is regionalizing CTE being considered?

• Able to respond to labor market demand/retraction

• Politics• Partnerships required for grants• Larger service area for specialized

programs

How would regionalization of CTE benefit colleges?

• Cost savings• Keep programs open for students that otherwise

may not be viable• Consistent alignment of curriculum that meets

industry need• Greater collaboration• More robust and effective advisory committees

What effect would/does this have on curriculum?

Models:• Certain courses offered at specific college

– Ensuring progressive learning in sequenced courses– Consistent prerequisite policies– Curriculum approval in CO

• Partner colleges offer different “Specializations”– How do we determine who offers what?– Ongoing dialogue/collaboration as demands change

• Other???

Example of a regional CTE program (Mature)

• Respiratory Therapy– Ohlone/DVC

• Keeping it going– Who are the players?– What details need to be in order?– Direct impact on curriculum committee work?

Example of a regional CTE Program(under development)

• Program under development: Industrial Machine Maintenance Mechanic– Laney/Solano/DVC

• Getting it started– Who are the players?– What details need to be in order?– What lessons have been learned?– Direct impact on curriculum committee work?

Issues with “regionalization”

• Local control• Time/interest/will• Small, rural colleges are unable to

capitalize on economies of scale–Distance education?

Issues with “regionalization” (continued)

• Registration concerns–How will registration policies ensure

that students who are interested in a program can begin and continue the sequence (especially if they have to navigate multiple colleges)?

–Who gets credit for “completion”?• Impacts on our ability to respond to

industry

WHAT DOES ALL OF THIS MEAN FOR THE CURRICULUM COMMITTEE?

Questions

• Would these models change the local curriculum approval process?– Faculty purview– Potential conflicts of interest– Assessment of program viability/cost– Other??

• Could this model be accommodated within existing processes?

• Does the system program approval process exist to pursue these agreements? – New curriculum forms for example