The data charts have been analyzed in artifacts 74, 76, 77.  Mount Vernon’s Teacher Cadet program serves a diverse student population which includes ethnic, gender, special needs, economic disadvantaged and limited English proficiency.  This diversity provides strength and challenges for the program.  In our ever changing world, an understanding of others strengthens personal and professional relationships as people learn to live and work together.  Diversity in the classroom challenges the teacher to individualize instruction to meet the needs of all students.  Hands-on activities in the classroom, internship experience, and portfolio are authentic assessments.  Students grow in their understanding of a career in education as they begin their journey into the workplace.

The program challenges identified in the data include:

• Recruiting more males:    Only five males have been among the seventy seven students who have participated in the program to date.  This year the three males were featured in the recruitment commercial to attract others to the program.
• Serving the economically disadvantage students:   Forty three of the seventy seven students were identified as at-risk.
•  It was difficult for these students to pay the Shenandoah University tuition of $159 for four credits; every student should take advantage of this reduced rate.
• It was also a challenge to arrange transportation to internship sites.  Many students had to settle for an internship within walking distance instead of the site they might have preferred; no students were able to intern at the middle school this year.
• Increasing the number of cadets signed up for dual enrollment:    In the past three years only seventeen out of forty one students have participated.
• Increasing the NOCTI Education and Training industry certification pass rate:  Only eight of the thirteen cadets who took the test last year passed.Two students who took the first part of the test got sick and didn’t complete the second part of the test, so the pass rate would probably have been higher.This year we have scheduled the testing days earlier in the testing window to allow make-up time.
• Increasing the number of students who join the Future Educators Association:  Only six of the seventeen cadets joined this year. The cadets are juniors and seniors – a busy time in their life – but extracurricular activities are important too.Many of the economically disadvantaged students have to go home to care for younger siblings after school, work a part-time job, or don’t have transportation home except once a week on activity bus days.  Also: (1) Increase the number of members who attend the state and national conferences; (2) Increase the number of members who enter competitions at the state and national level.

Challenge:      Recruiting more males.  Only five males have been among the seventy seven students who have participated in the program to date. 

Strategy:          This year the three males were featured in the recruitment commercial to attract others to the program.

Challenge:      Serving the economically disadvantage students. Forty three of the seventy seven students were identified as at-risk.

•  It was difficult for them to pay the Shenandoah University tuition of $159 for four credits; every student should take advantage of this reduced rate
• It was also a challenge to arrange transportation to internship sites.  Many students had to settle for an internship within walking distance instead of the site they might have preferred.

Strategy:        Seek funding to scholarship students on free and reduced lunch. 

Challenge:    Increasing the number of cadets signed up for dual enrollment.  In the past three years only seventeen out of forty one students have participated.

Strategy:        Contact students enrolled in Teacher Cadet during the summer to explain the advantages of dual enrollment and give them more time to save the money.

Challenge:    Increasing the NOCTI Education and Training industry certification pass rate.  Only eight of the thirteen cadets who took the test last year passed.  Two students who took the first part of the test got sick and didn’t complete the second part of the test, so the pass rate would probably have been higher. 

Strategy:        This year we have scheduled the testing days earlier in the testing window.

Strategy:        This year we purchased the NOCTI test preparation booklet. 

Strategy:        Collaborate with other six Teacher Cadet instructors on Google Apps.

Challenge:    Increasing the number of students who join the Future Educators Association.  Only six of the seventeen cadets joined this year.   The cadets are juniors and seniors – a busy time in their life – but extracurricular activities are important too.  Many of the economically disadvantaged students have to go home to care for younger siblings after school, work a part-time job, or don’t have transportation home except on activity bus days.

• Increase the number of members who attend the state and national conferences.
• Increase the number of members who enter competitions at the state and national level.

Strategy:        Provide more fundraising opportunities for students to earn their dues and conference funds.