ARTIFACTS 84- ANALYZE DATA CHARTS AND IDENTIFY PROGRAM CHALLENGES IN 1-PAGE NARRATIVE

In analyzing and reviewing data charts, there are a few challenges that need to be focused and improvements to be made.

Challenge 1:

One main challenge is enrollment.  The Computer Information Systems Program is not your average non-traditional classroom compared to other career and technical programs. Our school system as a whole is limited in serving a diverse population in relation to ethnicity, and limited English proficiency. However, it is extremely evident that we serve a diverse population in relation to economically disadvantaged students.

The Computer Information Program is composed of a diverse group of students. For example, regular education students work alongside special needs students that have IEPs. Regular and IEP students work alongside and complete the same course work as dual-enrolled students.  I would like to see the dual enrollment numbers increase. We now offer scholarship funds for dual credit enrollment, and I hope to see this become used more often to increase the dual enrollment rate. In the future I would like to promote our program to more minority students and get them interested in technology and in future employment goals. I would like to add Co-op to our Computer Information Systems Program. This would increase our enrollment in all groups.  

 Challenge 2:

Student organization participation needs to be increased. All business education students are automatically a local member of FBLA due to the fact that FBLA is a co-curricular organization. I would however, like to see more members become active on the regional and state level.  The increase in membership on the regional and state level will increase competition.

 Challenge 3:

All students in the Computer Information Systems Program must complete and meet at least 80% of all competencies throughout the school year. The processing of getting competencies covered can sometimes be a challenge. School schedules and changes in daily activities can sometimes be challenging to get competencies covered within a 9 week grading period.  We have improved the method of keeping track of all student competencies. Electronically storing student competencies has helped the program greatly.

 Challenge 4:

Industry certification pass rates seem to have increased over the past couple of years. The process of testing has become less of a challenge due to the fact that the Computer Information Systems Program classroom is now a Microsoft Certified Testing Center.  In the past we had to make travel arrangements to get to and from a testing center. Also, testing in our classroom provides the students with a more comfortable testing environment.  One challenge we are facing with Microsoft Certification, is that the testing program has gone “green”; therefore, certificates are not mailed to test takers, and it is the sole responsibility of the student to keep up with their user name and password so they can acquire their digital transcript at any time.

Artifact 85 - 3 strategies to address challenges 

In review of Artifact 84 of three challenges that the Computer Information Systems Programs faces, I have listed a brief synopsis of strategies that may be used to correct these challenges. 

Challenge 1:

One main challenge is enrollment.  The computer information systems program is not your average non-traditional classroom compared to other career and technical programs.

 Strategies to Meet Enrollment Challenge:

• Provide middle school guidance counselors with brochures and PowerPoint project on course offerings in business education department.

• Increase the upcoming 8^th grade school tour to add more time to be spent in the classroom and more activities to increase the interest of the upcoming students.

• Promote the Dual Enrollment opportunities of students enrolled in the Computer Information Systems program

 Challenge 2:

Student organization participation needs to be increased. 

Strategies to Meet Student Organization Challenge:  

 Create more ways to bring awareness to the co-curricular club

                 (Powerpoints, meetings)

• Showcase awards and photos of FBLA Projects and trips students participated in
• Encourage upper classman students to promote FBLA to lower classman students

 Challenge 3:

The processing of getting competencies covered can sometimes be a challenge. 

Strategies to Meet Cover of Competencies:  

• Be better prepared as an instructor to mark competencies as they are completed.
• Update and make adjustments to lesson plans as needed to adjust to schedule changes and school delays or closings.

 Challenge 4:

Industry certification pass rates.

 Strategies to Meet Industry Certification pass rate:

• Instructor should work collaboratively with the Microsoft Certification Center to be updated on all materials and computer requirements for testing
• Purchase practice simulation tests which will help prepare students for the actual test.
• Prepare study materials to students on Industry Certification Testing
• Inform parents on the importance of Industry Certification Testing and how it is just as important as passing the Standards of Learning Test (SOL)