Education: Postsecondary & Workforce Development
Team Leader:
Lynn Goldman, Broward Technical Centers, #754-321-5466, lynngoldman@yahoo.com
Position:
If our students are going to really be able to compete globally and our state is going to be a leader nationally, all sectors of education (Universities, State/Community Colleges and School District’s Technical and Adult Education Centers) will require the necessary financial resources to respond to the needs of employers as well as to create tomorrow’s leaders and engaged citizens. If Florida is to be a robust vibrant economic engine in the global economy, it must prioritize its basic needs especially in K-20 education. We must train tomorrow's workforce today.
Team Members:
Lynn Goldman, Broward Technical Centers: Atlantic, McFatter and Sheridan; Robert Crawford, Atlantic Technical Center; Elissa Harvey, Atlantic Technical Center; John Miracola, Broward County Public Schools; Margarita Castellon, AT&T; Mason Jackson, Workforce One
Post-Secondary Education/Workforce Committee Issues
Issue #1: Implement the second year of the three year commitment equalizing the Workforce Development funding formula for the School District's Post-Secondary Career, Technical and Adult Education Programs.
Summary: The funding model for the 2012-13 school year will be provided to the Legislative Appropriations Committees as stipulated by law in SB 2150 by the District Workforce Funding Steering Committee. Broward received over $5.9 million new dollars due to this equalization adjustment. The state made adjustments this past year to have the dollars follow the students (a much needed change). Since this has a negative impact on some school districts and colleges the political atmosphere has heated up and we are unsure if the funding will continue to flow as it should. Broward received many more dollars this year as a result of the funding formula change.
Issue #2: Permit the continuance of the co-enrolled program for students enrolled in core curriculum courses for credit recovery or dropout prevention purposes, with a maximum of 2 credits per year only for high school juniors and seniors.
Summary: This program was approved last year by the Legislature in SB 2150 for one year only. This program has greatly assisted students in meeting their graduation requirements thus directly affecting our high schools' and district graduation rates and school grades. Current legislation authorizes the use of Workforce Education funding through the 2011-12 school year, to provide an opportunity for students to take up two courses, during their four-years in high school, through the Co-Enrollment Adult Education Program. The Co-Enrollment Program enables students to make up courses required for graduation or to raise their GPA to the required level to graduate, in order to graduate on time with their classmates and be counted in the high school graduation rate.
Issue #3: PECO dollars have already been dramatically cut and consequently, State Colleges and their students are short (and cannot expand) on classroom, laboratory and administrative facilities at a time of extraordinary high demand.
Summary: PECO dollars- With an extraordinarily high demand for courses, Broward College students are being shut out of classes due to lack of physical classroom space. The statistics for Broward College are staggering. Since 2007-2008, unduplicated student headcount has gone up 20.7% from 53,083 to 64,075. According to the FLDOE, the College is woefully shy of meeting square footage requirements. Based on current enrollment there is a 1.5 million sq. ft. deficit. Future enrollment will only produce greater square footage deficit. Similarly, the College’s utilization rates need to be reconciled with FLDOE recommendations, which are (1) a classroom utilization rate and space utilization of 100% - the College’s current room utilization and space rates are 126% and 183%, respectively, and (2) a lab room space utilization rate of 100% - the College currently has lab room and lab rates are 119% and 191% respectively.
Issue #4: The Standard High School Diploma requirements should not be lowered for students who do not plan to attend college.
Summary: This proposal is for watering down a special high school diploma for students on the "Career and Technical" track). This goes directly against what the Technical High Schools in Broward are for and represent. The two Broward Schools (Atlantic and McFatter) are ranked amongst the highest performing schools in the nation. This would send the wrong message to the workforce that students in career and technical programs can't achieve rigor. The business community is already claiming that students are not prepared for the real world of work, this would do more damage. HB71 -- In accordance with the recommendations of the College and Workforce Ready Task Force, all students need to graduate academically and technologically prepared for postsecondary education/college. This bill does not consider three important issues. (1) The definition of the term "college" is unclear. Students have post secondary options that include technical institutions; (2) Students who are entering the workforce need a high level of academic and technical skills to enter and succeed in the workforce; and (3) Many individuals enter college/postsecondary education subsequent to entering the workforce.
Issue #5: Require students in publically funded schools to post their resumes on Employee Florida Marketplace.com
Summary: All Florida post-secondary graduates through doctoral level, who are without a job offer, should list their skills and certifications in Employee Florida Marketplace so that employers can find them.
Date Submitted: 10/21/11