Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning

The Division of Career Technology and Adult Learning consists of the following bureaus/offices.

Bureau of Adult Education

Provides funding for programs serving 9,000 adults yearly who are improving their basic educational skills leading to a high school credential. In addition, this Bureau administers the statewide GED (High School Equivalency) testing program which results in approximately 2,400 adults each year receiving their certificate.

Bureau of Career Development

Provides leadership and support for the career and technical education (CTE) system at both secondary and postsecondary levels. This system provides education in career pathways leading to further education and employment opportunities. Activities include, but are not limited to:

• Providing direction for the system of 30 secondary regional career and technical centers and sub centers;
• Supporting career clusters/pathways;
• Supporting facility development and renovation at the secondary regional centers;
• Managing the use of federal CTE funds for program improvement at secondary and postsecondary institutions and correctional facilities;
• Regulates/licenses private, postsecondary (i.e., post high school) career (i.e., job related) schools. These schools are non-degree granting;
• Connecting secondary and postsecondary institutions (Tech Prep/School to Work);
• Supporting introductory offerings beginning at the middle school level leading to career and technical education;
• Providing direction to the delivery system of apprenticeship related instruction;
• Services of the Office of Civil Rights Compliance and Equity;
• Disbursement of state tuition and transportation funds for CTE students

Office of Guidance and Counseling

Supports and assists school counselors, career guidance counselors, school psychologists, and school social workers and supervises counseling curriculum in New Hampshire. In addition, this office seeks and disseminates information on promising and effective practices in the areas of school counseling, as well as assisting schools and districts to develop both comprehensive guidance and counseling programs and effective career guidance programs that support and sustain high standards for all students. The New Hampshire Department of Education supports the ASCA Comprehensive Model for School Counseling through policies and technical assistance.

Initiatives for High School Transformation

Supports, through coordination with the Deputy Commissioner's Office, efforts for high schools seeking to engage in redesign for 21st century practice. New Hampshire is deeply engaged in a vision for high school redesign that encompasses the creation of learning communities in which every participant is actively involved in the process of learning. New Hampshire’s goal is that each student will receive a rigorous and personalized education. Every student deserves a course of study that allows him or her to learn in a deep, meaningful and practical way. Not only do students need to know facts, they need to know how to apply those facts to new situations, how to solve problems, and how to expand their knowledge and opportunities. All students deserve a rigorous secondary education that prepares them for post-secondary education and meaningful careers.

• Supporting the development and implementation of high school course-level Competencies
• Providing technical assistance and tools to implement Extended Learning Opportunities
• Connecting to drop-out prevention, recovery, and Adult Education initiatives
• Providing multi-state opportunities through the New England Secondary School Consortium
• Connecting to education technology for 21st century high schools
• Highlighting Charter Schools' promising practices
• Supporting teacher/leader development initiative

State Office of Civil Rights (OCR)

All educational facilities that receive federal financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Education are required to be in compliance with civil rights statutes including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (covering race, color, national origin), Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 (covering sex), 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) and the Vocational Education Programs Guidelines For Eliminating Discrimination and Denial Of Services On The Basis Of Race, Color, And National Origin, Sex And Handicap (34 CFR Part 100 Appendix B).

Bureau of Vocational Rehabilitation

Provides assistance to eligible persons with disabilities in the State of New Hampshire to gain and retain employment outcomes through the provision of direct vocational rehabilitation services, as funded under the Rehabilitation Act Amendments of 1992. VR is a joint State/Federal program that seeks to empower people to make informed choices, build viable careers, and live more independently in the community. To that end, NH Vocational Rehabilitation supports the following programs and priorities:

• Disability Determination Services
• Independent Living
• Rehabilitation Services
• Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired
• Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
• Transition

WIA Title I - Youth

Provides employment and training services to economically disadvantaged youth possessing specific barriers to employment.

Program focus is on comprehensive youth services consisting of ten program elements which can be grouped around four major themes

• Improving educational achievement (including such elements as tutoring, study skills training, and instruction leading to secondary school completion; dropout out prevention strategies, and alternative secondary school offerings)
• Offering services intended to develop the potential of youth as citizens and leaders (including leadership development opportunities)
• Preparing for and succeeding in employment (including summer employment opportunities, paid and unpaid work experience, and occupational skills training)
• Supporting youth (including meeting supportive services needs and providing adult mentoring, follow-up services, and comprehensive guidance and counseling)

Directions

Paul Leather Deputy Commissioner (603) 271-3801 Paul.Leather@doe.nh.gov