Publication Sneak Peek

The Cutting Edge

This segment features content from other AAEA publications. The Cutting Edge is a monthly publication available to AACTEA members. The following excerpt comes from the December 2022 issue.

UA-Little Rock Receives NSA Grant for Cybersecurity

The University of Arkansas at Little Rock recently received a $800,000 grant from the National Security Agency (NSA) to expand a national cybersecurity education program for teachers, as well as develop a standardized curriculum to build pathways for cybersecurity education between high schools and colleges. Through the grant UA-Little Rock will help expand the National Cybersecurity Teaching Academy (NCTA), create a free cybersecurity education course for teachers, and update guidelines used to accredit college cybersecurity programs. The Teaching Cybersecurity Graduate Certificate prepares high school teachers to offer advanced placement courses in cybersecurity. Teachers receive instruction in a nationally recognized cybersecurity curriculum and foundational cybersecurity principles. NCTA will also work to have the introductory High School Cybersecurity Curriculum Guidelines officially recognized by state educators, which will create a standardized curriculum and pathway between high school and college cybersecurity education courses. The grant aims to fill the workforce gap of qualified cybersecurity professionals that are needed to fill hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country. The initial two-year grant comes with an option for a third year with an additional nearly $400,000 in funding, which would bring the total grant amount to nearly $1.2 million.

Fayetteville CTE Students Excel

Congratulations to the Woodland Junior High School Robotics teams for their success at the recent Fayetteville Fall Open. Three teams took home 4 awards, including the VEX Robotics IQ Tournament Champion, Robot Skills Champion, Design Award, and Overall Excellence Award. All three teams have now qualified to compete at Arkansas Tech University in March for the State Championship. Fayetteville FFA President and Fayetteville HS senior Lily K. was recently presented with her Certified Veterinary Assistant certificate. Lily earned her certification last month through the Texas Veterinary Medical Association. Successful applicants are required to complete the Certified Veterinarian Assistants program, which consists of 200 hours of hands-on laboratory instruction, demonstrations, and other interactive learning activities, as well as a 300-hour apprenticeship in a vet clinic. They are also required to score at least 70% on the certification examination. The Veterinary Science Apprenticeship program at FHS educates veterinary assistant students in the essential skills and knowledge needed to become effective contributors as veterinary assistants to the veterinary medical care team. FHS is one of the few high schools in the state to offer both this rigorous program and certification. Survey of Business students at Fayetteville High School have been earning their Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) in Microsoft Word industry certification. Microsoft Office certification is considered the #1 desired "hard skill" by employers in Northwest Arkansas. Students in these classes will have the opportunity to earn additional MOS certifications in Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.