Source: ULSTER BOCES submitted to NRP
ULSTER BOCES/SUNY DELHI PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING TURF MANAGEMENT BRIDGE PROGRAM
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
COMPLETE
Funding Source
SERD GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
0206982
Grant No.
2006-38414-16924
Cumulative Award Amt.
(N/A)
Proposal No.
2006-02201
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
Jul 15, 2006
Project End Date
Jul 14, 2009
Grant Year
2006
Program Code
[OW]- Secondary Challenge
Recipient Organization
ULSTER BOCES
175 ROUTE 32 NORTH
NEW PALTZ,NY 12561
Performing Department
CAREER & TECHNICAL CENTER
Non Technical Summary
There is a lack of agri-science course opportunities in the Ulster County area, despite its predominantly rural environment. Ulster BOCES is the only provider of Vocational education, and does not currently offer any agri-science related courses.By adding this curriculum to Ulster BOCES' CTC offerings, students receive the opportunity to gain training in an emerging growth occupation for Ulster County. Additional issues are economic and academic. Opportunities for earning have plummeted while the cost of living has skyrocketed. Academically, high numbers of Ulster County high school students did not score in the passing range. Offering students a variety of strategies for learning has proven successful at Ulster BOCES' Career & Technical Center. Ulster BOCES and SUNY-Delhi will establish a seamless, innovative agriculture education bridge program, which provides Ulster BOCES Career and Technical (CTC) students with a secondary technical agri-science education, while encouraging careers in the agriculture-related fields of golf course operations, turf management and horticulture at SUNY Delhi or other appropriate post-secondary institutions of higher education (IHE). As with all CTC courses, academic work will be integrated into the technical coursework, enhancing the opportunity for students to develop their English, Mathematics and Science expertise. With substantial academic interventions, CTC students will graduate with the required NY State Regents Diploma, and not require further academic remediation once they reach the IHE.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
90360993020100%
Knowledge Area
903 - Communication, Education, and Information Delivery;

Subject Of Investigation
6099 - People and communities, general/other;

Field Of Science
3020 - Education;
Goals / Objectives
This program is unique in that it will develop a planned continuum of education from Grade 11-12 secondary education into successful completion of an AAS degree in Turf Management or Golf Course Operations. All the essential components of the process have been identified and incorporated into the proposed program, as follows: students will receive an academically, technically sound high school education at CTC; students will arrive at their post-secondary education prepared to begin their coursework, without requiring remedial classes; and students will participate in intensive exploration of college opportunities in the field of Turf Management and related fields so that students can make informed decisions about their post-secondary plans. Goal: Develop a continuum of education from Grades 11-12 secondary education into successful completion of AAS in Turf Management or Golf Course Operations through the following steps: Through partnership with SUNY Delhi, Ulster BOCES will develop a Curriculum for Turf and Golf Course Operations that blends sound academics with the essential coursework. Ulster BOCES will receive NYS Education Department approval of the curriculum. Ulster BOCES will reach agreement with local golf courses and related agri-business to provide internship opportunities for all program participants. Ulster BOCES and SUNY Delhi will sign an articulation agreement for this coursework. Ulster CTC students enrolled in this program will pursue further education in related fields. Ulster CTC students unable to continue their education will find gainful employment in related fields. Nontraditional recruitment will interest young women in the program.
Project Methods
Howard Korn, CTC Director, will oversee the program development with Dominic Morales, Dean of Applied Sciences and Recreation, at SUNY Delhi. Operationally, Ulster BOCES will hire a part-time program facilitator/teacher for as program lead. This teacher will develop the curriculum, gaining necessary NYSED approvals, developing internship opportunities and business partnerships (while simultaneously building a database for career placement). Care will be taken to fully integrate a sound ELA, mathematics and science background necessary for successful completion of required college-level Math, ELA and Science-related courses. At the same time, the facilitator will also procure articulation agreements with SUNY Delhi. Because they are developing the curriculum in partnership, this will be a formality. The facilitator will recruit program participants, provide student and family outreach, and participate in Ulster BOCES annual CTC Open House, In Year 2, the teacher/facilitator initiates the coursework. The program facilitator/teacher is responsible for ensuring all activities are conducted in a timely fashion. Monthly, the two Program Directors will review progress, and quarterly, the Advisory Board evaluates progress. The proposed program goal for Ulster BOCES and SUNY Delhi is to develop a model program that provides a cohesive bridge program from high school CTC programs, through achievement of an AAS degree in Turf Management or related agriculture science fields. Ulster BOCES will receive NYS Education Department approval of the curriculum. Ulster BOCES will reach agreement with local/regional golf courses and related agri-business to provide internship opportunities for all program participants. Ulster BOCES and SUNY Delhi will sign an articulation agreement for this coursework. 20% of the 15 students enrolled will pursue post-secondary education at SUNY Delhi, with 50% of the students pursuing some related agriculture post-secondary education. 85% of the students who continue with postsecondary education will arrive sufficiently prepared, and will not require intensive remedial education. Because the students are sufficiently prepared, 50% of the students pursuing post-secondary education will remain in their programs one year after high school graduation. 50 % of the CTC students not choosing to continue their education will find gainful employment in related fields, having sufficient academic skills. Nontraditional recruitment will interest young women in the program.

Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/09

Outputs
A formal partnership has been established between Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center and SUNY Delhi. Articulation Agreements facilitate a high school graduate's transition to a college Turf Management Program. PRODUCTS: Curriculum at the high school level has been aligned with college course curriculum. OUTCOMES: High school students at Ulster BOCES Career and Technical Center explore career options in the field of Turf Management. These students take college level courses; they visit SUNY Delhi and have the opportunity to enter the college program with advanced standing. The Advisory Council provides support to the Ulster BOCES/SUNY Delhi partnership. The partnership communicates regularly to insure program quality and continuity. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Dissemination of curriculum and program syllabus to students and parents takes place each year. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Advisory Council meetings will continue. Students participation in the high school to college program will continue as Ulster BOCES now funds a teaching position in relation to turf management.

Impacts
Students gain skills in the turf management field and explore career options in this field. They prepare for college readiness by completing courses relative to turf management and by completing an intensive academic readiness program.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 07/15/07 to 07/14/08

Outputs
An understanding was reached that Ulster BOCES was committed to opening a Turf Management program as part of its Motorcycle Outdoor Power/ Small Engines Program (MOP), effective 9/1/08. The program will consist of an "add on" to the current curriculum, enhancing the program with approximately 35 days (one day per week at 2 hours a day). There are 2 sessions/groups of students each day and the program will target 11th graders (juniors); there will be approximately 25 students who will participate during this first year of operation. The additional day of instruction will focus on two primary areas: the areas not currently covered by HORT 150 (Grounds Equipment and Fleet Management) and the areas covered by SUNY Delhi Course 100 - Orientation (a college prep course with exploration of the field of turf management). A description of the new high school program was developed. Additional resources were created: Course Description, Potential Internship Sites, Potential Mentor List, Turf Advisory Committee list, Career Opportunities (in the green industry), and Potential Field Trips. (In addition to articulation of SUNY courses 150 and 100, the possibility of articulating with HORT 120 [Introduction to Horticultural Practices] will be reviewed at a later date.) Opportunities for job shadowing and internships were discussed. Students will be offered the option of a post junior year summer local paid internship for an additional 1 college credit and a post secondary summer internship at sites throughout NYS for an additional one credit. These opportunities will enhance the development of student skills and readiness for college life. Students may also attend state conferences related to turf management. A conference that is held in Syracuse is an option. Juniors will be invited to the Spring Open House at SUNY Delhi and seniors will be invited to the Fall Open House. Ulster BOCES will hire a part time teacher/expert in turf management who will work with the current MOP instructor to deliver instruction. The turf management instructor must be certified in the appropriate trade area by the NYS Department of Education. A turf equipment consultant from SUNY Delhi was suggested to provide assistance to Ulster BOCES with program development. PRODUCTS: The following products were created: Curriculum; articulation agreements between SUNY Delhi and Ulster BOCES; list of advisers; list of internship sites and field trips. OUTCOMES: An agreement was reached between SUNY Delhi and Ulster BOCES. Articulation agreements were finalized. The turf management curriculum will be blended into the small engine curriculum. The "new program" was shared with Ulster County NY guidance staff. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Program information was shared with High School guidance counselors and principals. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Currently, Ulster BOCES is seeking a turf management expert to work with teachers at Ulster BOCES. The goal is to teach turf management (exploration of the field and employment opportunities in the field; small engines in the turf industry) effective Fall 2008.

Impacts
A partnership between the Ulster BOCES High School program and the SUNY Delhi post-secondary four year college program was established. The goal for the future is to create a High School-college program that can be replicated around the state and country.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period


Progress 07/15/06 to 07/14/07

Outputs
The goal of the program is to create a bridge program between Ulster BOCES' high school technical program and the State University of New York at Delhi's post-secondary turf management program. Becuase the program operates during the secondary school year, the program is just in the initial stages. Ulster BOCES' progress aligns with the proposed timeline, meeting targeted dates. During August of 2006, administrators and faculty from both agencies met to review grant guidelines and initiate grant activities .SUNY Delhi provided information about their curriculum, course syllabi, and current articulation agreements. After this meeting Ulster BOCES hired a consultant in the turf industry to facilitate the following activities: organize a list of local and regional turf industry representatives from various aspects of the industry; establish and facilitate an Advisory Committee (first meeting held on 3/07); develop course syllabi and course curriculum for Ulster BOCES that is aligned with college curriculum; develop a list of local work experience placements; and develop a list of field trip locations. All of the above initiatives have been completed in draft form and will be shared at Fall Advisory Committee meeting. The projected start date for high school students at Ulster BOCES' Career & Technical Center is 9/1/08. PRODUCTS: Draft curriculum; draft course syllabi; draft lists of work experience placements and field trips OUTCOMES: The partners from secondary and post secondary institutions met several times, revised and enhanced the plan of action. An advisory council was formed and met. The advisory council recommended directions/activities to be taken by consultant. Draft curriculum, syllabi and work experience placements and field trip lists were created. DISSEMINATION ACTIVITIES: Information about program progress was disseminated to advisory council members. In addition, turf (green industry) management was added to our list of potential offerings for students who were planning on attending Career & Technical school in Fall 2007. The list was disseminated at recruitment sessions in all Ulster County High Schools during Spring 2007. FUTURE INITIATIVES: Future initiatives are as described in the rant proposal. In summary, draft curriculum, syllabi, and lists will be reviewed by advisory council in Fall. Articulation agreements between SUNY Delhi and Ulster BOCES will be created. A detailed program description and schedule will be developed. Several meetings between the primary partners will take place. Several advisory council meetings will be held. Targeted start-up of program is September, 2008.

Impacts
At this point, the advisory group is highly motivated and willing to participate in all aspects of the proposed new program. In addition, current teachers at Ulster BOCES in the area of Small Engine repair are contemplating the integration of turf management and their established program. In addition, excellent communication has been developed between the secondary and post secondary partners.

Publications

  • No publications reported this period