Those representing the community and school at the Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Advisory Council were, front row, (l-r): Ellen Butler, Becky Reed, Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard, Lisa Aycock, Melvin Stewart, Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, and Henry Madden; back row: Guy McDeavitt, Cooper Cliatt, Chris Heitmann, Ernie Doss, Johnny Spratlin, Colman Kennedy, and Dr. Becky Barden. The Lincoln County High School Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Advisory Council held their first meeting of the school year on October 26 at 7 p.m. in the Business and Information Technology lab. Members and teachers had the opportunity to get acquainted at the beginning as light refreshments were served.

The meeting began with a welcome by Dr. Becky Barden, Principal. Mrs. Collins, CTAE Supervisor, recognized returning members of the council and guests. She also recognized the new members: Ernie Doss, Lincoln County Public Safety Director; Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard; Lisa Aycock of the Department of Family and Children Services; and Becky Reed, Lincoln County Board of Education board member.

Mrs. Collins discussed the re-engineering of CTAE for the 21st Century. She stated that while CTAE has been successful, emerging technologies and evolving employer expectations to have a highly qualified, motivated, and reliable workforce demand that Georgia strategically retool CTAE. The new vision for CTAE is to ensure that every Georgia student graduates from high school with the academic skills, hands-on experience in real work environments, and intensive career guidance required to succeed in college and/or employment.

The CTAE department is involved in two program initiatives: Tech Prep and Youth Apprenticeship. Mrs. Collins introduced Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin, Tech Prep Coordinator at Augusta Technical College. Dr. Chamblin talked about Tech Prep and the advantages to a student as they pursue a technical career. She indicated that Tech Prep supports the student as he or she transitions from high school to technical college and then to a career. A student can earn technical college credit while in high school through articulation and/or dual enrollment. After graduating from high school, students can go on to a technical college to complete requirements for certificate, diploma, or associate degree programs.

Melvin Stewart, CSRA Youth Apprenticeship Coordinator, discussed the Youth Apprenticeship Program. He indicated that youth apprenticeship is designed to bring together the components: school-based learning, work-based learning, and connecting activities that are necessary for a successful career. Students begin to prepare for a career while still in high school. He stated that youth apprenticeship provides paid work experience, promotes partnership between education and industry, integrates academic and technical instruction, and provides post-secondary options. Presently, there are 17 LCHS juniors and seniors involved in this program.

Mrs. Ellen Butler, LCHS counselor, presented information about the career fair that will be conducted in January. She stated that a letter would be sent to various businesses inviting them to participate. She indicated that the goal of the career fair was to make available information to students who were considering a technical career.

Mr. Guy McDeavitt, Technology Specialist for Lincoln County Board of Education, explained the advances in technology and how Lincoln County School System was updating to meet the technology demand.

Members of the CTAE department presented information about their career, technical, and agriculture program and student organization. Those presenting were: Janet Dukes-Business and Information Technology Education; Cherrie Campbell-Family and Consumer Science; Marion Aycock-Transportation; and Garnett Wallace-Broadcasting and Video.

Mrs. Collins led the group in discussing various suggestions for Ad- visory Council activities. Some activities discussed were: Guest Speakers; Job Shadowing; Career Fair; Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education Month; and Career, Technical, and Agriculture Reception.

The purpose of the advisory council is to provide community input into the career, technical, and agriculture programs so as to maximize career and technical training opportunities for the students through a school and community partnership. With input from the community the career and

technical department has insight as to what business leaders see as the career and technical needs for the areas of study.

Those representing the community and school were: Chris Heitmann, H & H Industrial Maintenance; Coleman Kennedy, Retired Educator; Cooper Cliatt, Augusta Telephone Sales and Service; Ellen Butler, Counselor-LCHS; Ernie Doss, Director- Lincoln County Dept. of Public Safety; Guy McDeavitt, IT Supervisor-

Lincoln Co. Board of Education; Lisa Aycock, Dept. of Family and Children Services; Dr. Michelle Mason-Woodard; Mr. Johnny Spratlin, Spratlin & Sons Construction; Melvin Stewart-CSRA Youth Apprentice Coordinator; Mrs. Becky Reed-Lincoln County Board of Education board member; Dr. Becky Barden-LCHS Principal; Mr. Henry Madden-LCHS Assistant Principal; and Dr. Elizabeth Chamblin-Augusta Technical College Tech Prep Coordinator.