NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release: November 30, 2018
JACKSON, Miss – The Mississippi Department of Education announced Thursday a schedule of public meetings for the Mississippi Succeeds Career and Technical Education Listening Tour to gather public feedback for Mississippi’s plan to meet the requirements of the federal Strengthening Career and Technical Education (CTE) for the 21st Century Act. The law reauthorizes the Carl D. Perkins CTE Act of 2006 and is referred to as Perkins V.
Perkins V aims to increase access to high-quality CTE programs that meet the changing needs of students and employers. The MDE and the Mississippi Community College Board (MCCB), with assistance from the Mississippi State University Research and Curriculum Unit, will develop the plan to implement the law.
“This listening tour is an opportunity for stakeholders to provide input on the state’s plan to prepare students for success in their chosen careers while meeting the needs of Mississippi employers,” said Dr. Carey Wright, state superintendent of education. “We want to hear from a diverse range of stakeholders, including educators, parents, students, and business and industry representatives.”
The statewide tour will allow stakeholders and planners to discuss key tenants of the new law, including:
- Requiring extensive collaboration among state- and local-secondary, postsecondary, and business and industry partners to develop and implement high-quality CTE programs;
- Introducing a needs assessment to align CTE programs to locally identified, in-demand, high-growth, and high-wage career fields;
- Strengthening CTE teacher and faculty pipelines, especially in hard-to-fill program areas like Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM);
- Promoting innovative practices to reshape where, how, and to whom CTE is delivered;
- Expanding the reach and scope of career guidance and academic counseling; and
- Shifting responsibility to states to evaluate program quality and optimize student outcomes.
States are expected to see more autonomy and flexibility when administering their CTE programs under the new law, which goes into effect July 1, 2019. The law is also expected to help students more efficiently advance through CTE curriculum, create opportunities and access for historically underserved students in rural and low-income areas, and streamline efficiency and funding.
The schedule of statewide meetings is as follows:
|
Date |
Location |
Time |
|
December 6, 2018 |
Hattiesburg High School Multipurpose Room 301 Hutchinson Avenue Hattiesburg, MS |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
December 10, 2018 |
Biloxi High School Library 1845 Tribe Drive Biloxi, MS 39532 |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
December 11, 2018 |
Tupelo High School Media Center 4125 Golden Wave Drive Tupelo, MS 38801 |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
December 13, 2018 |
DeSoto County School District – Board Room 5 East South Street |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
January 8, 2019 |
Hinds CC Muse Center 515 Country Place Parkway Pearl, MS 39208 |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
January 10, 2019 |
Greenwood School District Career and Technical Center 616 Sycamore Avenue Greenwood, MS 38930 |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
|
January 17, 2019 |
McComb High School Cafeteria 310 7th Street McComb, MS 39648 |
6 p.m. – 8 p.m. |
Updates about the Mississippi Succeeds Career and Technical Education Plan will be posted on the MDE website: https://www.mdek12.org/SSE/PerkinsV
About MDE
The MDE seeks to create a world-class educational system that gives students the knowledge and skills to be successful in college and in the workforce, and to flourish as parents and citizens. To make this vision a reality, all students must be given multiple pathways to success, and teachers and administrators must continue to meet the challenges of this ever-changing landscape of public education.
About MCCB
The MCCB shall foster an environment of excellence to promote world-class education and job training for a more prosperous Mississippi. The mission of the agency is to advance the community college system through coordination, support, leadership, leadership, and advocacy. For additional information, please visit www.mccb.edu.
Media Contact:
Patrice Guilfoyle, APR
Director of Communications
601-359-3706
Jean Cook, APR
Communications Specialist
601-359-3519