Page 4 - FLATE CARCAM Best Practice Guide_Rev Feb 042114 EW (2)

Forward Advanced Technology Education (ATE) Centers funded by the National Science Foundation have become the nation’s “go to” resources for updating, reviewing, and streamlining industry-relevant curricula for technician education. More importantly, they have been instrumental as models for setting up successful statewide curriculum. ATE Centers, such as CARCAM and FLATE, are uniquely placed in that they bring together community colleges, four-year university partners, industry experts and partners, and government entities (like State Departments of Education and Offices of Public Instruction) to develop curricula for high quality technician education that addresses the most critical labor market needs in a given field and geographic region. Both FLATE and CARCAM, in their respective state, follow a published process for curriculum/program improvements and updates that: 1) involves industry partners and educators, and 2) focuses on student learning outcomes /benchmarks (what do students need to know and be able to do). NSF-funded ATE Centers also: 1. Offer neutral/non-college consensus on skills and knowledge required for a particular technical field 2. Have the resources to map industry skills standards and to continually update them 3. Have expertise in curriculum and curriculum processes 4. Gather resources that both educators and industry can use to find the best qualified technicians 5. Provide needed professional development for industry and educators getting involved with tasks and providing just-in-time education and training 6. Have and have access to content expertise in advanced/emerging technologies In this Best Practices Guide, the Principle Investigators (PIs) of the Consortium for Alabama Regional Center for Automotive Manufacturing (CARCAM) Center and the Florida Advanced Technological Education (FLATE) Center describe the need for statewide curriculum in advanced technology fields. The PIs also share how their state manages the process of setting up statewide curriculum review, updates, and revision. CARCAM offers an outreach model beginning in the secondary system to attract, enroll, and graduate a diverse population of students in manufacturing careers. This provides the region's next generation of manufacturing employees with the skills in automated control systems, robotics, and mechatronics systems essential to the future of automotive and automated industry manufacturing. Graduates of Automotive Manufacturing Technology (AUT) programs in automated manufacturing technology as well as related program options have a significant advantage over other job seekers due to the accomplishment of obtaining a multi-skilled technician degree and heightening their employability in a variety of industries. Faculty members from the member colleges, working in conjunction with faculty from other NSF Centers and projects, bring together significant experience and expertise in curriculum and instructional delivery. 4