BeaconMediaNews.com
march 20, 2014 - march 26, 2014 | 9
Guidance for teachers and schools as they prepare students for careers and college Twelve new standards— ranging from being able to apply technology effectively to working productively with a team—are designed to guide California’s teachers as they help students achieve college and career readiness, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. Speaking Monday at the annual Educating for Career Conference sponsored by the California Career Pathways Consortia and the California Partnership Academies, Torlakson told some 2,800 educators that these “Standards for Career Ready Practice” describe in general terms what students need to succeed when they transfer to postsecondary education, career training, or the workforce—beyond academic skills. “With Common Core, the new Smarter Balanced assessments, and more, we are recommitting to California’s longstanding goal of college and career readiness for every student,” Torlakson said. “Beyond academic knowledge lies a whole host of other skills students need to succeed outside the class-
room, things like: whether they’re financially literate, whether they can communicate their ideas effectively, and whether they can use technology safely and sensibly.” Torlakson said the new standards, though drawn in part from last year’s Career Technical Education (CTE) Model Curriculum Standards, are not exclusive to a career pathway, a CTE program of study, or a particular discipline or level of education. The standards themselves are general and broad in nature, but are intended to serve as the foundation for teaching and career preparedness from kindergarten through grade Twelve. The full list can be found on the California Department of Education’s Standards for Career Ready Practice (PDF) Web document. “Educators know that the world is changing, and so our schools have to change, too,” Torlakson said. “Students today need very different skills and knowledge than they did a generation ago.” The career ready standards fall under Torlakson’s ongoing Career Readiness
Initiative. Over the past year, other steps forward under the initiative have included: • Administering the Career Pathways Trust, a $250 million grant program designed to support programs that build seamless pathways between schools, higher education, careers, and provide businesses with skilled workers. • Putting into place sweeping updates to California’s career technical education standards to reflect the changing face of technology and setting higher academic goals. • Working with 63 school districts in an inaugural Linked Learning pilot program, which examines how this approach—which combines rigorous academics with technical training and work-based learning— can succeed and be replicated. For more information on the Standards for Career Ready Practice and other programs within the Career Readiness Initiative, please visit the California Department of Education’s CTE Model Curriculum Standards Web page.
MDA camp counselors needed The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) is recruiting volunteer counselors for its annual Summer Camp being held at Whispering Hope Ranch in Payson, Arizona, June 1 through June 6, 2014 and June 8 through June 13, 2014. Camp counselors must be at least 16 years of age by June 1 and be committed to making this week an amazing and unforgettable experience for youngsters, age 6 to 17 years, with neuromuscular disease. MDA camp counsel-
ors work one-on-one with campers for the entire week, providing personal care and supervision, as well as companionship at a wide range of recreation and social activities. Training is provided. This unique opportunity involves completing over 150 volunteer hours and is an excellent experience for men and women interested in the health care field-including rehabilitative medicine, neurology, nursing, physical and occupational therapy, and other medical specialties. Camp also gives counsel-
ors an opportunity to truly impact the lives of young people with neuromuscular diseases in a profound and positive way. As many campers describe, camp is the one week each year when they feel like a regular kid, “the same as everyone else.” To participate in this life-changing week, call the Muscular Dystrophy Association Summer Camp Director, Amanda Camden at 480-496-4530 or communicate your interest via email, acamden@mdausa.org.
Burglary in Duarte nets $2000 worth of tools The City of Duarte and the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department would like residents to be aware that another burglary occurred in Area 3 or the Evergreen Area of Duarte. Between Sunday, March 9 at 4:00 p.m. and Monday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. in the 1600 Block of Buena Vista Street unknown suspect(s) entered the unoccupied home through a back
door and stole approximately $2,000 worth of tools and equipment which was being used for the remodeling of the property. No suspects were seen in or around the area. If you spotted any suspicious person(s), vehicles, and/or any other unusual activity in the abovementioned areas, or if you have any information that can assist in the investigation of
this burglary, please contact Special Assignment Deputy Goodrich at the Duarte Sub Station by calling (626) 3577938, ext. 320. If you would like to leave an anonymous tip, that can assist police in an investigation or help mitigate an ongoing problem, you may do so by calling the Sheriff's Satellite Station Crime Tip Hotline at (626) 357-7938, ext. 462.