Myllykangas postulated that students studying various careers within the parks and recreation profession might prefer a certain learning style, which is, often the case, different from the teaching style used by the faculty. In order to address learning styles of students, it is essential to be able to adapt to the learning styles of each student…

Convening professionals--physically or virtually--is necessary but certainly not sufficient for meaningful collaboration and networking to occur. Professional development (PD) must be designed and carried out in ways that encourage a culture of sustained collegiality (Loucks-Horsley et al. 2003). This article presents seven principles for creating…

How can a science teacher find professional development (PD) opportunities that are meaningful, coherent, and sustained that will foster teacher and student learning? The authors believe that science teachers can and should be savvy consumers of PD--seeking out learning experiences that are designed with a few key features in mind. The purpose of…

The digital age has transformed how work is done in science, health care, the law, journalism, international relations, education, environmental conservation, agriculture, and engineering. To prepare students to thrive in today's society, teachers need to know more about how technologies are used in disciplines and workplaces, and--most…

This article describes a professional development model in which middle-grades teachers focused on algebraic thinking as part of their participation in a mathematics academy.

This module explains principles of competency-based education and assessment. Four competency-based curricula are outlined. The guide includes a list of definitions and uses a question-and-answer format to define competency-based education and to discuss competency-based assessment, criterion-referenced testing, and the Vocational Instructional…

This module provides a framework for designing a functional curriculum for students with disabilities. Topics addressed include designing and using a functional curriculum, analyzing student needs, and conducting job analysis. A list of 14 references is included, and examples of forms are provided. The guide includes a list of definitions and uses…

This guide addresses the personnel, curriculum, equipment, inservice, interagency cooperation, and evaluation that are appropriate for low-cost and no-cost activities designed to help Missouri special needs students make the transition from school to work. Following an overview and a short glossary, the bulk of the document is in a…

Goals and objectives appear on Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and Individualized Vocational Education Plans (IVEPs). An IEP, required by the Education of All Handicapped Children Act, is a document that outlines the delivery of educational services, instruction, and responsibilities for each student identified as disabled. An IVEP, required…

This manual was developed to help counselors, teachers, and support personnel fulfill the requirements of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational Education Act (P.L. 98-524) in order to provide guidance and counseling for special needs students with activities that will enhance their education. Following a review of the provisions of the Perkins Act, the…

These guidelines help professional development chairs, administrators, and teachers collaboratively plan for the ongoing skill development and content acquisition of staff members. Section 1, "Missions, Mandates, and Regulations for Professional Development," describes the mission of professional development as supporting teachers in…

The Missouri Excellence in Education Act of 1985 established the Missouri Career Development and Teacher Excellence Plan, also known as the Career Ladder Program. The intent of the program was to develop and implement a process to encourage quality teachers to remain in the classroom and to continue the emphasis on improved instruction. The…

This guide is Missouri's primary resource for planning, implementing, and evaluating Industrial Technology/Technology Education (ITE/TE). It contains 10 chapters: (1) a direction for ITE/TE; (2) planning the ITE/TE program; (3) planning ITE/TE facilities; (4) implementing a safety program; (5) creating ITE/TE's image (public relations); (6)…

This guide was developed to help counselors and teachers infuse career education into the elementary school curriculum in Missouri. The guide is organized in eight sections. The first section introduces the idea of career education, traces its history, and lists the Missouri core competencies and key skills related to vocational education. The…

This module, intended for adult instruction, is an introduction to landscaping designed to help students become familiar with landscaping terminology and concepts. The material is planned for six 2-hour classes. The first three lessons aid students in interpreting landscape plans and understanding some of the reasons for plant placement and…