One of the initiatives underway by the Postsecondary Technical Education Authority (TEA) to enhance technical education in our state is the alignment of specific technical programs. This project is driven by the needs of business and industry in the state. Groups of business leaders are convened by the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Kansas Board of Regents with participation by program advisory committee members from our colleges to essentially “map” a preferred outcome for an occupational category.
The purposeful outcomes of the project include:
a) Allow business and industry to identify value-added exit points within programs,
b) Identify and support student acquisition of nationally recognized 3rd party industry credentials.
c) Identify common courses that can serve as a bridge for articulation opportunities.
d) Decrease the variability in program length.