LCCTC reviews program technical evaluation

Commendations were given throughout the report to the aspects of the CTC’s programs found to be doing especially well. Commendations include:

• School counselors and administration were praised for student objective forms being completed annually. “This is a struggle with schools across the state and LCCTC does an awesome job making sure all signatures are complete and in the student’s permanent record,” the report reads.
• The center’s Cooperative Education coordinator was praised for “finding placements for 47 students in 13 out of 22 programs with 17 students being in a pre-apprenticeship program.”
• The Occupational Advisory committees were praised for creating best practice executive summaries for equipment requests. The cosmetology OAC was specifically lauded for having “a very active and supportive OAC.”
• The cosmetology program was lauded for “teacher demonstrat[ing] effective use of student learning guides” and use of Schoology (the school’s learning management system). The cosmetology program was also praised for including an annual lesson on cosmetology careers before students complete career objective forms.
• In occupational analysis, the machine tool technology/machinist and baking and pastry arts programs were praised for, respectively, making parts for NASA and including pre-apprentice opportunities and an on-site restaurant.
• The automobile/automotive mechanics technology and cosmetology programs were commended for organization and cleanliness.
• Of the CTC’s baking programs, the APTE reports says “impressive student portfolios [are] maintained daily by the students.”
• In support and special services and individualized education plans, the CTC was commended for its electronic IEP access and special education coordinator mentoring to faculty. The cosmetology teacher “acknowledged a good working relationship with the IU staff for students in the full-time program with an IEP,” another commendation reads.
• The medical/clinical assistant program was praised for student community involvement.
• The autobody/collision and repair technology, computer systems networking and telecommunications, and criminal justice/police science programs were praised for “very high” percentage of students placing “advanced” in National Occupational Competency Testing Institute testing.

Recommendations are made throughout the report; however, the state will not follow up on these, and change is not mandatory.

The report recommended the following:

• That the CTC work with schools on admission procedures “so that freedom from occupational stereotypes is provided which will provide equal access for all students to enroll.”
• That labor market needs letters, from business members who would employ students from the CTC, should be dated within 12 months and signed. A note specifies that current letters are not dated within 12 months.
• The school should consider a school-based counselor be available more than one day per week to “alleviate the demand for mental health counseling.”
• In safety recommendations:
  • Laminated QR codes should be placed in lab areas to access online safety data sheets. The review found that physical safety data sheets in labs in multiple programs are out-of-date.
  • Emergency power panic stops and fire extinguishers should be adequately labeled. Many labs do not include proper labeling, the report said.
  • Electrical panel boxes should be kept locked, with staff having universal keys to access them. The report said the boxes are not currently locked.
  • That programs develop written maintenance plans.
  • The baking program should add anti-skid tape in front of wash sinks.
  • The welding program should chain gas cylinders to the wall in their storage location, and that danger zones around machines should be identified.
  • The electromechanical technology program ensure an eyewash bottle is clean, noting that the bottle has a March 2024 tag but the bottle is labeled as having expired in 2020.
• Procedures for equipment and resources “should be developed and communicated so that all personnel are informed and follow those procedures and implement the chain of command, especially with budget and technology requests.”
• The center should update program approval data elements by Aug. 1 each year to stay in compliance.
• Students in the computer systems networking and telecommunication program be directed to use O*NET to explore specific opportunities in the field.
• The center should install a soundproof wall between the network technology and electrical technology programs.
• Occupational advisory committees (OAC) should discuss whether equipment meets industry standards at least once annually, members should be listed on sign-in sheets, and the OAC should be included in the feasibility study. The rehabilitation aide program’s OAC was called out as requiring 50 percent industry attendance to meet quorum.