1. Project EASIER Plus CTE Changes  CTE programs are already entered into the system, based upon your (or consortia) Perkins grant and Tech Prep applications.  Enter ALL CTE courses before Feb. 1, 2008, if not already present!!! Advantages The system should provide data that is more accurate. Less need to manually enter courses.

2. Dates to Remember !! January 14, 2008 January 25, 2008 April 1, 2008 June 30, 2008 August 1, 2008

3. 9 Step Process for 2007-08 1. In Project EASIER Plus CTE, view/verify the 2007-08 CTE programs that are listed. (Dec. 14, 2007 to Jan. 13, 2008.) – If you see problems, please contact your CTE DE consultant. 2. Winter project EASIER file must be approved before the next step (Step 3). (Wait for overnight processing.) 3. Review/modify the specific courses in CTE program sequence. Take special note of “ yellow-shaded items. (Due Jan. 25, 2008. --- Courses must be approved by this date.) 4. If needed, review/modify courses that are core, before Feb. 1, 2008. 5. Approve Courses in a Program. (If you clicked ‘ APPROVE ’ before Jan. 14, 2008, you Must re-approve after Jan. 14, 2008.) after 6. Review (do not edit until after April 1, 2008) student data between Dec. 10, 2007 and Jan. 10, 2008 for each student in a CTE program sequence. If problems are detected when reviewing course files, please contact district ’ s Project Easier liaison. 7. Update and Approve and enter student data/list of students (if needed) between April 1, 2008 and June 30, 2008. 8. Enter and Approve Financial Data by Aug. 1, 2008. (i.e., instructor(s) salary and travel expenses) 9. Finally … CERTIFY Project EASIER Plus CTE.

4. Go to: www.edinfo.state.ia.us Login ID & Password Superintendents have the login ID and password to access the system.

5. Entering Information & Data into Project EASIER Plus Click on the Career and Technical Ed button to go to the start page.

6. Step 1: View Programs that were operational in 07-08 To view (verify) specific programs, click on this button.

7. Need Help? DE consultants are listed on several screens.

8. Step 2: APPROVE the winter Project EASIER file before the next step.

9. Step 3: Review/Modify Courses in Each CTE Program To update courses in a program click the “ Courses in Program ” button. DUE DATE: The Career and Technical Education Program information must be entered and certified by Feb. 1, 2008. (Available Jan. 14 to Feb. 1, 2008)

10. Step 4: Identify CORE Courses (if offered) Identify the program where you want students to be counted. Click this option if the course is a core course offered across multiple programs. DUE DATE: The Career and Technical Education Program information must be entered and certified by Feb. 1, 2008. (Available Jan. 14 to Feb. 1, 2008)

11. Step 5: Approve Courses (see note below) DUE DATE: The Career and Technical Education Program information must be entered and certified by Feb. 1, 2008. (Available Jan. 14 to Feb. 1, 2008. If APPROVE is clicked before Jan. 14, 2008, you must RE-APPROVE after Jan. 14, 2008.)

12. Step 6: Review Student Data Click on the “ Students in a Program ” button. DUE DATE: Between Dec. 10, 2007 and Jan. 10, 2008.

13. Step 7: Update & Approve Student Data in each Program To update students ’ data, by clicking the “ Students in Program ” button. Student Data which you will need to enter (Required): 1. Completers, 2. Occupational Proficiency, 3. Single parent (Between April 1 and June 30,2008.)

14. Step 8: Enter Financial Information Click on the “ Secondary State Assistance ” button. DUE DATE: Aug. 1, 2008.

15. Step 9: CERTIFY Project EASIER Plus

16. Process Details More specifics in the Powerpoint version on the DE website..

17. Dates to Remember !! January 14, 2008 January 25, 2008 April 1, 2008 June 30, 2008 August 1, 2008

19. Step 1: View Programs that were operational in 07-08 To view (verify) specific programs, click this “ Programs that are Operational ” button. Available Dec. 14, 2007 to Jan. 13, 2008. If you see problem(s) contact your CTE DE Consultant.

20. Step 2: APPROVE the winter Project EASIER file before the step #3.

21. Step 3: Identify the Courses in Each Program Sequence To identify the courses in a program sequence, click on Courses in a Program This link will show (Not Complete) until courses have been identified for each operational program. Due by Feb. 1, 2008. CTE courses MUST be properly coded with a CTE (vocational) NCES code.

22. Identify the Courses in Each Program Sequence Click on the title of the specific program to begin entering courses in the program sequence. Note: The following steps must be repeated for each program sequence.

23. Adding Courses (IF needed) to a Program Sequence To designate courses in the program sequence click on the Add Course button. Reminder: A sequential program must contain a minimum of 3 units of instruction. A unit represents one Carnegie Unit, which is defined as 120 hours of instruction.

24. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence Click on the drop down menu to reveal your district ’ s list of career and technical courses. From the list, select the courses that are a part of the specific cte program. If appropriate, select the appropriate attendance center. (This primarily applies to larger school districts.)

25. Adding/Identifying Courses in a Program Sequence (Due Jan. 25, 2008) Include ALL CTE courses taken by students that attend your high school, even if they do not take the course(s) at your high school. Examples: a. Course(s) provided by a community college. (If the course is listed in your program sequence, and is taken by your student(s), it is your course. (28e) b. Courses provided by other schools/colleges. (28e) CTE courses MUST be properly coded with a CTE (vocational) NCES code. You will not be able to update the list of courses after Jan. 25, 2008. (Or programs after Jan. 14, 2008.) If a college already has a pre-determined course number, use it!

26. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence Use this menu to select courses that comprise the course sequence for this specific program. Select the desired course then click the Update button. Repeat this process until all courses within a specific program have been identified. The dropdown menu reveals a list of courses which is based on your district ’ s Fall BEDS information.

27. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence In this example, the first course has been added to the sequence. Click on the Add Course button to add additional courses to the program sequence. Repeat this process until all courses within a specific program have been identified.

28. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence Total units in a course sequence are totaled as courses are added. The total units in the course sequence must be at least 3.0 units. When all courses have been identified, click “ Return to Programs Offered this year ” to return to the program menu.

29. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence Total units will also appear in the “ Programs Offered ” menu. Programs showing a red cell need to be updated.

30. Adding Courses to a Program Sequence When all courses have been added to each program, click the Go to Start Page button. In this example, all programs reflect course sequences of at least 3.0 units. Note: A program sequence must contain a minimum of 3.0 units; however, program sequences may be more than 3.0 units. The program sequence reflects the courses required for students to obtain the identified critical competencies.

31. Final Course Sequence This example shows a completed list of program courses. A program sequence must include a minimum of 3 units of instruction within the program area. Complete this process for all program sequences offered by your school district. Click the “ Return to Programs Offered this year ” button to return to the program list. Click the “ Update ” button to save your edits. Example: Auto Mechanics Program

32. Creating Alternative Course Sequences Option #1 Ag 1 (1 unit) Ag 2 (1 unit) Ag 3 (1 unit) (Above example is a standard 3 unit sequence with no options.) Option #3 Ag 1 (1 unit) Ag 2 (1 unit)and Ag 3 (1 unit)or Crop Science (0.5 units)and Soils (0.5 units) Option #2 Ag 1 (1 unit) Ag 2 (1 unit)and Ag 3 (1 unit)or Ag 4 (1 unit) Example: Ag. Production Program The “ Here ” button is be used to create these options. (Click Here to insert an alternative to this course.)

33. Creating Course Alternatives Districts may create course options for program sequences. Use this process when students can substitute one course for another. To create options for a specific course, click Edit. (Click the edit button directly to the left of the specific course.)

34. Creating Course Alternatives To identify an alternative course or courses for this specific course, click the “ Here ” button. Use this process when students can substitute one course for another. Click the “ Here ” button multiple times to add multiple options. For example: If you need to add three alternate courses, click the “ Here ” button three times.

35. Creating Course Alternatives “ Or ” indicates that the following course may be substituted for the course directly above. Use the drop down menu to select the alternative course or courses.

36. Example Sequence with Course Alternatives In this scenario, students may take COOP A or Video Productions A to fulfill one unit of in program sequence.

37. Example Sequence with Course Alternatives Click “ Edit ” to add more options for this course

38. Example Sequence with Course Alternatives Multiple courses may be identified as alternatives for a specific course requirement. Example: Advanced Foods or Food Prep B or Food Prep C or MOC

39. Step 4: Identify CORE Courses (if offered) If your district offers core course(s) across multiple career and technical programs, you must designate the course as “ core ”. Click on the “ Check Core Courses ” button

40. Identify Core Courses (if offered) Identify the program where you want students to be counted. Click this option if the course is a core course offered across multiple programs.

41. Can you wait to enter your courses until after Feb. 1, 2008? NO !!!

42. Step 5: Approve Courses (see note below) DUE DATE: The Career and Technical Education Program (courses) information must be entered and certified by Feb. 1, 2008. (Available Jan. 14 to Feb. 1, 2008. If APPROVE is clicked before Jan. 14, 2008, you must RE-APPROVE after Jan. 14, 2008.)

43. Step 6: Enter Student Data/Information To enter student data click on the “ Students in a Program ” button The following information must be entered or updated for each student: 1. completer, 2. occupational proficiency, and 3. single parent. All other will automatically be collected by the Project Easier database.

44. Enter Student Data/Information To enter student data click on Students in a Program The following information must be entered or updated for each student: 1. completer, 2. occupational proficiency, and 3. single parent. All other will automatically be collected by the Project Easier database.

45. Enter Student Data/Information To enter student data click on Students in a Program The following information must be entered or updated for each student: 1. completer, 2. occupational proficiency, and 3. single parent. All other will automatically be collected by the Project Easier database.

46. Use this menu to select the appropriate attendance center. (i.e., high school or alternative school) Enter Student Data/Information

47. To view and edit student data within each respective program, click the blue number under the heading “ Enrolled ”. Repeat this process for each program area. Districts must review each student record in each program area.

48. Enter Student Data/Information Enter information about each student. Example: If the student is a program completer, click the completer box to add a checkmark. Repeat this process, as needed, for each student. Review and update all indicators: Completer, Occupational Proficiency, and Single Parent. Reminder: Update = Save (Click the Update button to save edits.)

49. View Student Data Click View to see a summary of program data.

50. View Student Data This window will show a summary of student data by program. Be sure to click “ Update ” before clicking “ Next ”. This will save your edits.

51. Step 6: Enter Financial Information Click on the “ Secondary State Assistance ” button. DUE DATE: Aug. 1, 2008.

52. Step 7: Update & Approve Student Data in each Program To update students ’ data, by clicking the “ Students in Program ” button. Student Data which you will need to enter (Required): 1. Completers, 2. Occupational Proficiency, 3. Single parent (Between April 1 and June 30,2008.)

53. Step 8: Enter & Approve Financial Information Secondary State Assistance, click on this button to enter financial information. DUE DATE: Aug. 1, 2008. (CTE instructor salary and travel.)

54. Step 9: CERTIFY Project EASIER Plus

55. Definitions: Coring/Multi-occupational Course: Coring is an instructional design whereby competencies common to two or more different vocational service areas are taught as one course offering. Courses shall be no longer than one unit of instruction. Course(s) may be placed wherever appropriate within the program offered. This offering may be acceptable as a unit or partial unit in more than one vocational program to meet the standard. Multi-occupational courses combine on–the–job training in any of the occupational areas with the related classroom instruction. The instructor provides the related classroom instruction and coordinates the training with the employer at the work site. A multi-occupational course may only be used to complete a sequence in more than one vocational service area if competencies from the appropriate set of minimum competencies are a part of the related instruction.

56. Yellow Shading Yellow shading shows items that: a) the course was not identified with a vocational code, b) does not ‘ exactly ’ match the Project Easier data. (i.e., spaces do matter), or c) the course is offered, but no students have taken the course. (No revisions are needed for c).) Non-Yellow shows items that match Project Easier data.

57. Dates to Remember !! January 14, 2008 January 25, 2008 June 30, 2008 August 1, 2008