Thomas Shaw's blog

"The question was, what can schools do to connect more directly to jobs?" The answer: Tap IBM and the New York City College of Technology to create a collaboration-oriented curriculum that enables students to graduate in six years with an associate degree in applied science and a spot "at the head of the line" for entry-level IBM tech jobs. To enroll, students need only attend an orientation session.

The Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor released a ground-breaking statement to their many stakeholders. The Letter highlighting the Unified Commitment to use career pathways approaches, can be seen by clicking below. This strategy will help adults acquire marketable skills and industry-recognized credentials through alignment of education, training and employment, and human and social services among public agencies and with employers, linking them to labor market trends and employer needs.

Dear Abby: Do you think every American child should get a four-year college degree? I keep meeting students who have a real talent and passion for other jobs -- military, cosmetology or skilled trades, such as Internet technology and carpentry -- but whose parents are furious at the suggestion they might not graduate from a four-year college.

The National Career and Technical Research Center has released a new requirement to establish a center to carry out scientifically based research and evaluation, and to conduct dissemination and training activities consistent with the Ca

To stimulate collaboration with respect to, and provide for coordination and coherence of, the Nation's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education initiatives, and for other purposes. Sponsor: Rep. Michael Honda [D-CA15] Status: This bill is in the first step in the legislative process. Explanation: Introduced bills and resolutions first go to committees that deliberate, investigate, and revise them before they go to general debate.

May your holiday season and the new year be filled with much happiness and success. Take a little time to enjoy the season by spending time with your family and friends. Our industry of education has faced many challenges this past year and face more in the future. We need to work together.

Technical Education Magazine will be exhibiting at the Career Expo of The Association for Career & Technical Educators on November 17-18 in St. Louis, MO. Stop by our Exhibit Space # 828 to view our new print magazine, see new product launches and take a survey of technical educators. Meet the staff, give us your opinions, or submit an article for publication.

The first week of October 2011, two-thirds of the 2011 budget of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act Funds were released. GO INVEST. Our economy needs you. Our students need you. Click on the images on this page for products, software, and text books. To view State-by-State allocations Click Here>STATE PERKINS FUNDS< Help your district invest this as soon as possible.

We recently received information from Onlinecolleges.net discussing the best High School STEM Education programs in the U.S. Here are 12 schools across America, in no particular order, which stand out for their commitment to STEM Education and creating classrooms showcasing the true power of technology. Let us know how we can improve this list. Please provide the names of  schools in your area that are similar to those listed below?

The United States is poised for a manufacturing renaissance within the next five years as the wage gap between China and the U.S. shrinks, according to a recent analysis by The Boston Consulting Group (BCG). ―We expect net labor costs for manufacturing in China and the U.S. to converge by around 2015,‖ predicts Harold L. Sirkin of BCG. Manufacturing of household appliances and construction equipment, which are produced in modest volumes and use modest amounts of labor, are most likely to lead the U.S. manufacturing resurgence.