ADVISORY COUNCILS Department of Education Bureau of Career and Technical Education

IOWA CODE l Section states that institutions receiving federal or state vocational education funds shall, as a condition of approval by the State Board, appoint a local advisory council composed of public members

Advisory Councils are valuable for planning

Legislation requires description of how institutions will actively involve parents, teachers, local businesses, and labor in planning, development, implementation and evaluation of programs

Overall Council Activities l Review program advisory council recommendation l Review technology planned for programs l Tour facilities l Tour area businesses and industry l Review labor market needs l Meet with regional workforce development boards

Additional Activities l Provide input into professional development plan and provide linkages for professional development activities l Review mentoring and internship activities l Review institution research l Review potential legislation

Other Activities l Serve on school improvement or accreditation teams l Review local plans for state and federal grants l Suggest recruiting strategies for non traditional students l Could develop annual report for Board/including potential press releases

Program Advisory Councils

Councils provide a two way system of understanding and communication between business, industry and education in order to keep programs realistic and to meet changing needs of the workforce

Program Council Activities l Provide advice on program content, equipment, staff needs, professional development and planning l Provide public relations to enhance program goals l Can actively aid in placement of students

Other Program Council Activities l Assist in labor market analysis l Assist in meeting certification standards or components l Assist in developing partnership agreements l Assist in developing two way communication on professional development activities

Additional Program Council Opportunities l Assist in providing evaluations and recommendations to local governing boards l Assist in developing information for program evaluations and annual program reports

Operational Guidelines Elements l Identify program, persons or committee which is to be advised l purposes and duties l Number of members l manner of selecting members l length of terms l Provision for eliminating inactive members

Advisory Committee Elements l Institution personnel representation at meetings l Special task forces l officers and committees and responsibilities l Requirement of minutes at meetings l number and frequency of meetings l terms and term limitations

Possible Categorization of Activities l Curriculum l Community resource l Recruitment l Student Organization (VSO) l Job Placement l Staff Development l Legislative or Political l Program Review l Linkages to other committees

Types of Councils l General Advisory Council l Program Advisory Council

Types of Councils l General Advisory Council l Program Advisory Council

COUNCIL RESPONSIBILITIES l Determining instructional needs l career planning advising l vocational placement review and advice l Curriculum planning l determining potential resources l developing business connections with classroom

Responsibilities l Advice on projects or activities l Identification of sources of teaching materials and equipment l Provide input into strategic planning projects l Provide input on legislative initiatives affecting programs

Why--Advisory Councils l Assure continuing relevance in vocational and technical programs l Provide linkages with instructors and business and industry l Provide assistance in planning

Overall committee purpose l Advise the administration on the overall direction for delivering vocational technical education for the institution l Advise on issues related to all programs such as teacher shortages, professional development activities, etc.

OTHER ROLES

General Committee l Assist in strategic planning l Advise on institutional issues l Formulate advice on new directions l Advise on program changes proposed by program councils

Activities