Mississippi Construction Education Foundation

Programs: Career and technical education programs:the partnership between the ms department of education and mcef remained strong in 2017; quarterly meetings were held throughout the year to ensure this relationship. Mcef's staff members are considered support personnel for mde's career and technical programs and remain included in the decisions related to state operations of construction programs. In 2017, mcef, along with the partnership of mde, credentialed 4,800 students enrolled in the 186-high school construction trade programs in the 109 career and technical education centers. Starting in 2017, mcef awarded 27 construction career and technical education programs with nccer accredited training and educational facility (atef) status, which tends to improve and serve as a model for other programs around these areas. Because mde's dept of career and technical education administers education programs for adult and youth offenders, mcef now has oversight for nccer construction training for 15 programs and 246 students in ms correctional facilities. During 2017, mcef gained 15 community college programs that provided over 1,800 students with nccer credentials. In addition, there are now 5 colleges that post-test students to demonstrate educational gain using the nccer academic assessment exam. Mcef certified these 5 colleges as accredited assessment sites which operate under mcef's nccer banner.

nccer secondary pre-testing and post-testing:in the fall of 2017, mcef and mde conducted a pre-test for all construction trade programs to enrolled students. These same students were post-tested at the completion of their classes. Based on the outcome of the testing, this assessment proved to be appropriate for all 5,000 students and had tremendous impact on the instructor effectiveness during the year.

skillsusa/mcef state competition:in 2017, mcef oversaw 109 high schools that comprise of 186 instructors and 4,572 students, all of whom are involved in construction education classes in the career and technical programs around mississippi. In addition, mcef provides credentials for construction students in 15 community colleges and offers classes for over 500 students whom are employed at 67 participating mississippi contractors. Each year mcef hosts a skills competition that involves over 300 students from across the state of ms to compete in advanced continuing education in 11 different trades. The competition has successfully and continually demonstrated the construction career path. From high school career and techical education to community college classes and then employment with a contractor and enrollment in an apprenticeship program. This competition offers tremendous opportunity for all students to showcase their advanced skills and bring awareness of these skills to school administers and counselors and simultaneously provides career opportunities for the students involved.