Career/Vocational Technical Education

Announcing Technical Assistance and Professional Development on the Nontraditional by Gender Career/Vocational Technical Education Initiative

The Department's Office for Career/Vocational Technical Education is pleased to announce the Equity Team's continued availability for technical assistance and professional development on increasing student participation in, and completion of, career/vocational technical education programs that prepare students for careers that would be nontraditional for their gender. School districts and public two-year colleges that have Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act (Perkins IV) Five-Year Local Plans are encouraged to obtain the team's services. Perkins IV requires that a strong emphasis be placed on nontraditional by gender career/vocational technical education as evidenced by its inclusion as a secondary-level and postsecondary-level core indicator of performance. In addition, the United States Department of Education - Office for Civil Right's Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs - 34 CFR, Part 100, Appendix B (Guidelines) have strong applicability to this topic. Technical assistance and professional development will be provided by email, telephone, and in person. School districts and public two-year college staff should feel free to contact one or more of the Equity Team members listed below by email or telephone to receive technical assistance, and if desired, schedule onsite visits, which may include presentations to staff or individual consultations by one or more team members. The individuals below are accustomed to working as a team on presentations, if such is requested. Marnie Jain (781) 338-3908 or mjain@doe.mass.edu. From 2007 to 2009, Marnie served as a member of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity (NAPE) Executive Committee. Marnie coordinated the 2006 statewide Gender Equity Conference, and she has also presented workshops to assist districts with local improvement plans on the nontraditional by gender Perkins IV core indicator of performance. Marnie is prepared to share her knowledge of Perkins IV gleaned from the national level and experience with Perkins IV Five-Year Local Plans and Local Improvement Plans. Jeff Perrotti (617) 547-8046 or jmperrotti@aol.com. The founding director of the Department's Safe Schools Program for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender Students, Jeff is experienced at assisting school districts and public two-year colleges with strategies for supporting students who do not conform to traditional gender roles. Jeff is available to conduct workshops and provide technical assistance on gender equity, sexual orientation, and school climate in career/vocational technical education. Maura Russell (781) 338-3952 or mrussell@doe.mass.edu. A licensed plumber and former plumbing teacher, Maura is a steering committee member of the Massachusetts Tradeswomen's Association as well as the State Director's designee to the Massachusetts Apprenticeship Council. During 2008-2009, Maura assisted in facilitating high school groups attending "On Equal Terms – Women in Construction 30 Years & Still Organizing - A Mixed Media Installation by Susan Eisenberg." Maura is prepared to share her wealth of information and her contacts. Lisa Sandler (781) 338-3956 or lsandler@doe.mass.edu. A former vocational technical supervisor and admission coordinator, Lisa is currently the Massachusetts Methods of Administration (MOA) Coordinator for implementing the Federal Guidelines for Eliminating Discrimination and Denial of Services on the Basis of Race, Color, National Origin, Sex, and Handicap in Vocational Education Programs - 34 CFR, Part 100, Appendix B (Guidelines). Selected school districts and public two-year colleges are reviewed under the Guidelines and reports are sent to the United States Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights. Lisa is prepared to share her expertise on implementing the Guidelines as well as the Massachusetts Student Anti-Discrimination Law (M.G.L. c. 76 Section 5) and Massachusetts Regulations for Access to Equal Educational Opportunity 603 CMR 26.00. School districts that are scheduled for a review under the Guidelines are encouraged to contact Lisa for technical assistance on the Guidelines prior to the onsite review. The Equity Team members have made presentations for the Massachusetts Association of Vocational Administrators (MAVA), the CVTE Leadership Academies, SkillsUSA, the Massachusetts Vocational Guidance Directors Association, the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA), and for several schools and colleges. They have also organized four regional networking groups across Massachusetts for school personnel to share resources and to provide student programs and activities. The Equity Team will continue to support these regional networks. For information regarding the regional networking group in your area, please contact an Equity Team member. Additional Resources: Visit http://www.doe.mass.edu/cte/ntbg/. The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act is the funding source.

Last Updated: October 21, 2010