Central Pennsylvania Gold Medal Initiative: Champions for Career Development

Creating a system to address the critical workforce needs that will keep Pennsylvania’s economy competitive

Bringing business and community together to support career development

All students and families in Pennsylvania will be educated on all opportunities in Pennsylvania’s workforce

 At a Glance

Purpose:         

• This initiative is intended to support the systematic implementation of the Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Career Education and Work (CEWs) throughout school districts in Central Pennsylvania 

Design:           

• Coordinated by CPWDC and Penn College Outreach for K-12

• Establish external linkages among employers, K-12 systems, and communities

• Provide internal support within the school districts for curriculum enhancement and training and development

Funding:         

• $100,000 Governor’s High Performance WIB Incentive funding

Status:            

• The Gold Medal Initiative kicked off in December 2007 with a Summit at Penn College in Williamsport 

• Over 150 attendees from nine counties represented 26 school districts, 38 businesses and 26 other community agencies and organizations  

• An implementation plan has been developed based on feedback from the Summit; you can access a copy of the plan and Summit agenda in the quick links to the left

Contact:          

• Jeanette Carter, Penn College Outreach for K-12, 570.320.8003

• Kate Lomax, CPWDC Youth Council Coordinator, 570.522.0600

 Overview

 The Pennsylvania Career Education and Work (CEW) Standards focus on career development, career acquisition, employability skills and entrepreneurship skills.  The standards are to be implemented for all students in the K-12 system with particular emphasis on grades three, five, eight and eleven.  The successful implementation of these standards will require a change in the relationship between regional employers, schools and the community, as well as the development of a culture of routine and persistent communication between these stakeholders. CPWDC believes that the CEW standards (along with local WIB and workforce system resources) can support the districts’ academic performance by introducing innovative methods to increase rigor and relevance.  The Central PA Gold Medal Initiative is intended to support a systematic implementation of these standards. 

Background, Resources and Project Management

The initiative grew out of a Statewide Ad Hoc committee developed to support the implementation of the standards.  The Committee is comprised of representatives from The Pennsylvania Department of Education, Labor and Industry, State Board of Education, State Workforce Investment Board, local Workforce Investment Boards, and other local education and career development agencies. 

A project Advisory Committee of stakeholders (business, education and local community organizations) has been created to oversee the initiative.  The Pennsylvania College of Technology, Outreach for K-12 office is project managing the initiative.  The involvement of Outreach for K-12 adds valuable expertise and resources related to the Standards.

The CPWDC, the region’s Workforce Investment Board (WIB), will underwrite a significant portion of the cost of the initiative.  CPWDC will provide $100,000 in incentive funding that was awarded by Governor Rendell in recognition of the WIB’s high performance.  Tierney Communications will assist in the development of key messages which will help promote the initiative among all stakeholders.

Key components of the initiative include:

• Employer Engagement will occur through business leader and Superintendent focus groups/executive interviews, regional summits, and individual school district and employer meetings.

• Tools and Resources to support External Linkages including the development of an “Employers’ Guide to Supporting Implementation of the CEW Standards in Pennsylvania,” and engagement with economic, workforce development, and community organizations.

• Curriculum Enhancement through financial support for the development of innovative lesson planning guides that integrate CEW Standards and career education resources into existing curricula.

• Training and Development for all districts on the funded lesson planning guides as well as sharing of best practices from funded lesson planning guides and the PA Governor’s Institute resources.

• Enhancement of Tools and Resources that will be available on-line, be specific to the Central Region, and include interactive features for educators and users.

 Click here for a printable version of this overview.