Center for Information Technology Education

This program is a collaboration among CITE, NSCC (Nashville State Community College), NCAC (Nashville Career Advancement Center), Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS), the Metro Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and the Nashville Technology Council (NTC). This alliance enables students to attend an after-school program to learn valuable workplace skills. These skills are acquired using a project-based curriculum and working with local businesses to provide authentic business context.

Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS) curriculum is used in the program.
The first session (module) at a new site will be taught by two teachers from the school, thus modeling the team approach.
The program will meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 90 minutes each session for a period of eight weeks.
Local business volunteers will work with the program to connect these projects to the business world and bring business context to the projects.
Students are guaranteed $100 each upon completion of the project with the potential for a $25 “bonus” payment.

Expected Outcomes of the Program:

Students will gain important workplace skills that are often missing from standard curricula and will complete a project by the end of the session.
Additionaly, students will have a better understanding of education and career options for technological careers.
The business volunteers will be active participants with the students and teachers and will provide business context and authenticity to the learning experience.
Teachers will gain experience with the Ford PAS curriculum and can use this experience in their regular classroom instruction.