Educationally Speaking
113 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 4 years ago -Educationally Speaking, is part of the national American Graduate: Getting to Work initiative funded by the Corporation for public broadcasting. American Graduate focuses on helping youth succeed in school, career, and life by exploring challenges to entering the workforce facing today’s youth. This month, we will explore new career pathways for high-demand jobs. Educationally Speaking is a WHRV special, produced by Barry Graham, Kathy Martin and Paul Bibeau, that examines the current state of education. This documentary series features local interviews about a different topic each week.
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Episodes
Apprenticeships in the Skilled Trades Barbara Washer and the Virginia Ship Repair Association
December 12, 2019 18:35 - 2.25 MBIt is a common refrain that is being heard from industry- a sounded alarm regarding the need for skilled trade workers. After decades of seeing fewer students exiting High School and heading into a skilled trade career, there appears to be an emerging shift in the thinking that a successful career must come from a four year degree. Barbra Washer, Director of Development and Programming with the Virginia Ship Repair Association says that the concept of “either go and lean a skilled trade” o...
WISC- Women in Skilled Careers
December 10, 2019 17:04 - 2.29 MBIn an on-going effort to direct attention to the critical need for skilled trade workers, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council has partnered with employers, community colleges, and WHRO as a part of the Women in Skilled Careers Grant. The program has a multi-faceted approach to solving the issue of poverty in Hampton Roads and also meeting the needs of local maritime industry in recruiting skilled trade workers. Chrstina Brooks, with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council explains that over the ...
Women In Skilled Careers Grant
December 09, 2019 15:21 - 2.22 MBIn an on-going effort to direct attention to the critical need for skilled trade workers, the Hampton Roads Workforce Council has partnered with employers, community colleges, and WHRO to create a program that has a multi-faceted result. Chrstina Brooks, with the Hampton Roads Workforce Council explains how the Women in Skilled Trades (WISC) Grant targets women for work in the skilled trades. The grant seeks to solve the issue of poverty in Hampton Roads and also meet the needs of the local m...
Communities in Schools in Hampton Roads
October 24, 2019 14:53 - 2.18 MBCommunities in Schools in Hampton Roads is a national based program that has anchored in several schools to provide services for at risk students. Development Director Linda Dyer explains why the initiative works best when they are established in the elementary and middle schools. This allows the program to devote services to students early in their education. Studies indicate that students who leave High School without graduating are more likely to end up living in poverty than those who ...
Communities in Schools in Hampton Roads
October 22, 2019 14:37 - 2.13 MBCommunities in Schools of Hampton Roads represents the emerging paradigm that schools must step forward to offer more than just academic study, but must meet all the needs of its students. Development Director Linda Dyer discusses how community organizations offer their assistance and insight to help students with life skills. Banks come in to present financial literacy techniques. Academic assistance, nutritional information, career preparation, and college entrance assistance are all criti...
Communities in Schools
October 21, 2019 17:27 - 2.18 MBThis week on Educationally Speaking, we discuss Communities in Schools, a national initiative that has established programs within some Hampton Roads schools. The program is built around the staggering fact that in the United States, one in five children under the age of 18 live in poverty, which has a direct impact upon their ability to focus on learning. Communities in Schools works inside targeted schools with resources to help educators meet the needs of its students. Linda Dyer, who work...
Higher Education and the Trade Skills Shortage
October 09, 2019 14:40 - 2.22 MBToday, we conclude our discussion with Dr. Quintin Kidd of the Judy Wason Center for Public Policy at CNU. Recently, Dr. Kidd conducted a survey of Peninsula residents on their perception of prestige and the skilled trades. Dr. Kidd found that there is a cultural bias against traditional skilled trade work and parents usually will encourage their children towards professional jobs like doctors and lawyers. He says that our public education and their lack of vocational training is one facto...
Factors Affecting The Skilled Trade Shortage
October 08, 2019 14:34 - 2.19 MBIt is well documented that public schools have neglected vocational education which has greatly contributed to the lack of skilled trade qualified workers. Dr. Quintin Kidd of CNU said other factors have also contributed, including the decline in American manufacturing and outsourcing of work. However, the ultimate challenge to increase skilled trade workers lies with educational institutions. Dr. Kidd says the degrees and focus of higher education needs to change and colleges which are de...
Should Schools and Segments of Society Shift Their Focus to Vocational Education?
October 07, 2019 14:33 - 2.13 MBThis Week, Educationally Speaking continues its conversation with Dr. Quintin Kidd of Christopher Newport University and his view on the skilled trade shortage both nationally and within Hampton Roads. Recently, Dr. Kidd commissioned a survey of Peninsula residents to determine their attitudes towards the skilled trades and how the view of prestige affects parent encouragement of their children into specific occupations and careers. The shortage in workers has caused growing alarm in the manu...
Analyzing What Has Caused the Decline in Skilled Trades
October 04, 2019 16:06 - 2.23 MBLocal industry leaders have sounded the alarm on the lack of skilled trade workers available for critical manufacturing and construction jobs. This trend also has been noted nationally causing educational institutions like community colleges and trade schools to develop programs aimed at luring students and those interested in changing careers. Dr. Quintin Kidd, Director of the Judy Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University said there are several factors driving this ...
Parent Perception of the Skilled Trades
October 03, 2019 14:30 - 2.21 MBWhat is driving the shortage in the skilled trades? Why are today’s students exiting high school with a negative view of the trades as viable careers? Dr. Quentin Kidd of CNU and the Wason Center for Public Policy decided to pursue parent’s perceptions of the skilled trades as a potential career for their children. The poll revealed that most parents encouraged their children to pursue prestigious jobs like doctors or lawyers. Further, parents views of prestige affects their support of vo...
Rejecting the Negative Perception of a Skilled Trades Career
October 02, 2019 15:23 - 2.12 MBWith repeated industries sounding the alarm that skilled trade workers are increasingly in short supply, some educational institutions such as Thomas Nelson Community College, are joining with the state to create unique programs to lure students into a vocational career. Dr. Susan English, Vice President for Academic affairs and Workforce Development at Thomas Nelson says that there is a negative public perception about the skilled trade careers. However, these careers have great potential ...
Changing the perception of the Skilled Trades
October 01, 2019 17:38 - 2.25 MBSome educational institutions like Thomas Nelson Community College are instituting programs to lure potential students into skilled trade work. Dr. Susan English, Vice-President at Thomas Nelson says local industry leaders have sounded the alarm about the lack of these skilled workers for hire. Further, they say there has to be a change in the perception that in order to succeed in post high school, a four year degree is a necessity. Dr. English says many students leaving High School have...
The Skilled Trades Today
September 30, 2019 16:08 - 2.18 MBToday on Educationally Speaking, we continue our look at the skilled trades shortage both nationally and in Hampton Roads. With repeated industry leaders sounding the alarm on the lack of skilled trade worker, some educational institutions like community colleges, are working to ease the gap and create programs to funnel skilled workers into the skilled trades. Dr. Susan English Vice President for Academic Affairs and Workforce Development at Thomas Nelson Community College says that there h...
The Skilled Trades Gap and College Debt
September 27, 2019 18:16 - 2.2 MBIn 2018, the average cost for an out of state college student was 25,000 dollars. After factoring in room and board, the cost exceeds 40,000 dollars. This rising cost for a four year degree has some students exiting High School and looking at the skilled trades as a potential career. Anne Lassere , a builder in Charlottesville, Virginia says that this debt can be crippling to a young adult. she touts apprenticeships as a viable alternative to training.
Entry into the Field of Skilled Trades/ Apprenticeships
September 25, 2019 15:36 - 1.96 MBWe continue our feature on Anne Lassare and her journey into the skilled trades- her observation on the lack of skilled trade workers and how apprenticeships can help direct someone in post high school and undecided on a career.
Apprenticeships in the Skilled Trades
September 23, 2019 16:00 - 48.8 MBIt is well documented that there is a dire need for skilled trade workers- Why is there a shortage of these workers? Right now, 53% of skilled trades workers are over the age of 45. Furthermore, very few keep working after the age of 65--far fewer than in other occupations. At present, high schools focus almost entirely on preparing students for academic studies at 4-year universities Many even claim that this is the result of elitism--that academics hold vocational trades in disdain Quntin...
Computer Science Majors in College
August 19, 2019 15:04 - 2.04 MBReviewing the Week's Discussion on Computer Science in both High School and College. Jon Yager of Virginia Beach City Public Schools discusses how a model of problem solving can apply to any course of study. Also, Cindy Frye, Computer Science Professor at Baylor University, analyzes how students lack basic written and oral communication skills and the problems that presents in today's classrooms.
Computer Science Majors in College
August 19, 2019 15:04 - 2.04 MBReviewing the Week's Discussion on Computer Science in both High School and College. Jon Yager of Virginia Beach City Public Schools discusses how a model of problem solving can apply to any course of study. Also, Cindy Frye, Computer Science Professor at Baylor University, analyzes how students lack basic written and oral communication skills and the problems that presents in today's classrooms.
Computer Science and Diversity
August 15, 2019 15:04 - 2.25 MBDespite efforts to create a more diverse field of students taking computer science classes in both high school and college, the course(s) of study are still occupied predominantly by white males. Cindy Fryre, Professor at Baylor University discusses efforts to lure more women and minority students into computer science majors.
Diversity in the High School Computer Science Classes
August 14, 2019 15:16 - 2.29 MBMost students in high school will take a computer science class to satisfy a math credit. However, for the more advanced computer science classes, there is a lack of minority and female students taking the course. Jon Yager of Virginia Beach City Public Schools discusses how he is trying to change the demographics of the students taking computer science classes.
Computer Science Enrollment in High School Classes
August 13, 2019 15:04 - 2.19 MBJohn Yager from Virginia Beach City Schools discusses how standards of learning have mandated all disciplines incorporate computer science technology into their classes. This presents a problem when teachers are not well versed in the computer science technology yet are expected to add this to their daily lessons.
A Learning Moment: Man Lands on the Moon
July 17, 2019 16:02 - 208 KBJuly 20th marks the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. All Month, we have been asking listeners to share their memories of the historic moment. We were alerted that Dennis Frasca, a resident of VB, was instrumental in working with local defense contractor Grumman on a simulator that was used in the early work ups for Apollo 11. This week, he shares with us his memories and observation of the early days leading to the moment that man first stepped foot on the moon. Today: The Can...
A Learning Moment: Man Lands on the Moon
July 15, 2019 19:38 - 1.74 MBJuly 20th marks the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. All Month, we have been asking listeners to share their memories of the historic moment. We were alerted that Dennis Frasca, a resident of VB, was instrumental in working with Grumman on a simulator that was used in the early work ups for Apollo 11. This week, he shares with us his memories and observation of the early days leading to the moment that man first stepped foot on the moon.
A Learning Moment: Man Lands on the Moon
July 15, 2019 19:38 - 1.74 MBJuly 20th marks the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo Moon Landing. All Month, we have been asking listeners to share their memories of the historic moment. We were alerted that Dennis Frasca, a resident of VB, was instrumental in working with Grumman on a simulator that was used in the early work ups for Apollo 11. This week, he shares with us his memories and observation of the early days leading to the moment that man first stepped foot on the moon.
TCC and the Dual Enrollment Program
July 03, 2019 15:04 - 54 MBTidewater Community College and The Chesapeake City Schools have created a dual enrollment program that seeks to address the critical shortage in trade skills that local industry leaders have been reporting. This partnership offers college credit while completing a high school diploma. Thomas Stout, TCC Dean of Math, Science, Engineering, and Technology indicates that the Mechatronics Program has emerged as one of the more popular dual enrollment programs.
TCC and Chesapeake City Schools Dual Enrollment Program
July 01, 2019 15:04 - 42.6 MBTidewater Community College and The Chesapeake City Schools have joined forces to create a dual enrollment program where students can simultaneously earn both high school and college credits as well as industry certifications that allow students to exit high school and enter directly into a career field. Students often go to work for companies that further fund educational initiatives thus allowing students to complete degrees with no or minimal school debt. Eric J Beaver, Instructor in th...
TCC and Chesapeake City Schools Dual Enrollment Program
July 01, 2019 15:04 - 42.6 MBTidewater Community College and The Chesapeake City Schools have joined forces to create a dual enrollment program where students can simultaneously earn both high school and college credits as well as industry certifications that allow students to exit high school and enter directly into a career field. Students often go to work for companies that further fund educational initiatives thus allowing students to complete degrees with no or minimal school debt. Eric J Beaver, Instructor in th...
TCC and Chesapeake City Schools Dual Enrollment Program
July 01, 2019 15:04 - 42.6 MBTidewater Community College and The Chesapeake City Schools have joined forces to create a dual enrollment program where students can simultaneously earn both high school and college credits as well as industry certifications that allow students to exit high school and enter directly into a career field. Students often go to work for companies that further fund educational initiatives thus allowing students to complete degrees with no or minimal school debt. Eric J Beaver, Instructor in th...
TCC and Chesapeake City Schools Dual Enrollment Program
July 01, 2019 15:04 - 42.6 MBTidewater Community College and The Chesapeake City Schools have joined forces to create a dual enrollment program where students can simultaneously earn both high school and college credits as well as industry certifications that allow students to exit high school and enter directly into a career field. Students often go to work for companies that further fund educational initiatives thus allowing students to complete degrees with no or minimal school debt. Eric J Beaver, Instructor in th...
The Academies of Hampton and ACT Initiative
June 28, 2019 15:04 - 26.4 MBThis week, Educationally Speaking has reviewed the City of Hampton’s participation in the ACT Certified Work Ready Initiative which focuses on building the local workforce through economic development. This effort includes work with the public schools to close the skilled trades gap that exists in local industry. The program has both vocational and educational objectives. Students can earn the National Career Readiness Certificate which is a national recognized credential that enhances a cand...
Hampton and The ACT Initiative
June 27, 2019 15:04 - 45 MBThe City of Hampton has embarked upon a program known as the ACT Work Ready Initiative. This national effort focuses upon economic vitality through workforce development. The city is buoyed by the new “Academies of Hampton” approach within the city schools. The ACT Work Ready initiative provides credentials based upon workforce skills while the Academy approach tracks students into career and college pathways. City and school officials say the two programs work together to help local industr...
How the City of Hampton is Addressing the Trade Skills Gap
June 26, 2019 15:04 - 2 minutes - 2.2 MBHampton has joined other communities nationwide om becoming a work ready community. This initiative focuses upon workforce development. The program helps potential employees with workplace skills. Pam Croom, Workforce Development Coordinator for the city explains how the ACT Key Train System is a series of courses to boost career readiness.
The Academies of Hampton City Schools and the Work Ready Initiative
June 25, 2019 15:04 - 47.8 MBThe city of Hampton has joined other localities nationwide in becoming a work ready community, an initiative that focuses upon workforce development and helps potential employees with necessary career skills. ACT provides a series of courses designed to enhance workplace skills. This program is buoyed by the Hampton City Schools and their unique Academy system where students are tracked into either college prep coursework or a career pathway series of classes. Pam Croom, workforce develop...
The Academies of Hampton City Schools
June 24, 2019 15:04 - 2.19 MBVeronica Hurd of Hampton City Schools discusses the new Academies of Hampton model that presents career pathways for each student.
School Start Times and Adolescent Health
June 21, 2019 15:04 - 52.7 MBThis week, Educationally Speaking has looked at the issue of school starting times for high school and middle school students. Chesapeake City Schools already has a later start time for these students. Virginia Beach and Norfolk City schools will shift in the 2020-2021 school year to later start times. Studies indicate that adolescents perform better academically when they begin school after 8:30AM. Citing these studies, the school divisions are shifting their opening times. This presents som...
School Starting Times: Chesapeake sets a standard other divisions are now following
June 20, 2019 15:04 - 47.6 MBThe American Academy of Pediatrics says that delaying school start times leads to a wide range of potential benefits, including regards to mental health, safety, and academic achievement. Local school divisions have been discussing later start times for several years. Community input on the issue has mostly been positive. Chesapeake City Schools as for years had later start times for its senior and middle schools. School Board members there said the “thought has always been that older stude...
School Starting Times and Adolescent Health: Starting Times do not affect the actual length of the School Day
June 19, 2019 15:04 - 53.8 MBNorfolk and VB City Schools are shifting their start times in the 20202-2021 school year. This shift is backed by current research that indicates older students do better in schools with later start times. Dr. Melida Boone, Superintendent of Norfolk City Schools, discusses how this shift affects only the start times for the division and not the actual amount of time students are in the classroom. Also, the shifting start times creates several logistical issues for school divisions- includ...
The logistics of an early school starting time
June 18, 2019 15:04 - 54.3 MBDr. Melinda Boone of Norfolk City Public Schools discusses the logistics of changing their middle and senior high schools to a later starting time.
School Start Times and Adolescent Health
June 17, 2019 15:04 - 23.1 MBStudies indicate that high school students function better and achieve more academically when they don’t start classes early because their internal clocks are wired to keep them up late. The American Academy of sleep medicine says that adolescents who do not get enough sleep are more likely to perform poorly in school. The American Academy of Pediatrics says that delaying school start times leads to a wide range of potential benefits, including regards to mental health, safety, and academic...
TCC and the Fast Forward Grant: The need for additional training and certifications in post high school
June 14, 2019 15:04 - 47.6 MBThis week, Educationally Speaking has looked at the Fast Forward Grant, a state wide program provided to community colleges to bolster employment in critically needed areas. The program provides classes which lead to certifications especially in occupations deemed needed by local industry leaders. According to the bureau of labor statistics, people who held a certification or license had a lower unemployment rate than those who did not by over 2 to 1. Thousands of Virginians have enrolled ...
Community Colleges and the Fast Forward Grant
June 13, 2019 15:04 - 52 MBThe Fast Forward Grant targets skilled trades and credential jobs for the region that are in critical demand. Participants can learn key competencies in these jobs and often go directly into the field. Emily Richardson at TCC explains the model for the Fast Forward Program.
TCC and the Fast Forward Grant: The New Awareness for In Demand Skilled Trades Workers
June 11, 2019 15:04 - 43.3 MBFast Forward provides classes which lead to certifications especially in occupations deemed needed by local industry leaders. According to the bureau of labor statistics, people who held a certification or license had a lower unemployment rate than those who did not by over 2 to 1. Thousands of Virginians have enrolled in fast forward with a completion rate of 90% and the Grant provides an opportunity for training and certifications that enhance the opportunity for post high school employm...
TCC and the Fast Forward Grant
June 10, 2019 15:04 - 40.3 MBTidewater Community College is participating in a statewide grant program known as Fast Forward. Fast Forward grants offset tuition costs on select workforce training program and eligible students can earn an industry credential at 1/3 the cost of tuition for short-term training programs. The in demand skilled trades include many of the jobs that local industry leaders have been having difficulty recruiting qualified candidates for. However, according to Dr. Emily Richardson, Interim Associat...
The TRiO Program at TNCC: Navigating the necessary paperwork for a successful transition from High School to College
May 23, 2019 15:04 - 2.12 MBThe TRiO Program at Thomas Nelson Community College has targeted first generation college students in an effort to boost their chances of completing their college degree. Monica Pinier, a TRiO Advisor, discusses how the school tracks these students and offer early intervention for problems. Also, Anotnio Dill-Word, a 2019 graduate of Thomas Nelson discusses how the TRiO advisors helped him navigate the needed paperwork to enroll at the school.
From Foster Care to Thomas Nelson to William and Mary: Antonio-Dill-Word, A TRiO Grad at TNCC
May 22, 2019 15:04 - 2.18 MBWednesday: Antonio Dill-Word is a 2019 graduate of Thomas Nelson Community College. A former foster care student in High School, he left college after his first year. He reenrolled at Thomas Nelson and took advantage of their TRiO program with close academic advising and mentoring. He discusses the challenges he faced during his first year in college and how the advisors at Thomas Nelson became cheerleaders for his success. He has been accepted to William and Mary for the Fall 2019 term an...
TRiO at Thomas Nelson
May 21, 2019 15:04 - 2.08 MBThe Trio Program at Thomas Nelson Community College addresses the issues of first generation college students. Nationwide, less than 10% of first generation college students complete their college degree. TRiO is a federally funded initiative that provides close mentoring and academic advising. Thomas Nelson also works with the Great Expectations program which is aimed at students who previously were in foster care. Monica Pinier at Thomas Nelson discusses the success of the school’s TRiO ...
Thomas Nelson and the TRiO Program
May 20, 2019 15:04 - 48.7 MBHigher education institutions today have two million fewer students than they did in 2009. Despite an increased push by high schools in tracking students into Advanced Placement and College Prep classes, the amount of students going directly into college is declining. This presents a generational challenge for students coming from homes where neither parent completed their college degree. Monica Pinier is a counselor in the TRiO Program at Thomas Nelson Community College. The federally funded...
Closing Skilled Trades Gaps in the Economy
May 03, 2019 06:32 - 42.5 MBUnder the ACT, the city of Hampton has created an outreach for skilled labor. Under the certified work ready initiative students and those out of school may earn the NCRC- a nationwide recognized credential. Also, students are able to receive college credit for their achieving the NCRC certificate. The Work ready initiative and the city public schools have a natural partnership in addressing the skilled trades gap.
Workforce Readiness and the Skilled Trades Gap
May 02, 2019 15:04 - 2 minutes - 2.2 MBThe City of Hampton has joined other localities across the nation in becoming a work ready community. This initiative focuses upon workforce development and helps potential employees with needed skills.