California Industrial and Technology Education Association (CITEA)

CITEA, or California Industrial and Technology Education Association, advocates and promotes professional development and social and political events improvement, especially in vocational and industrial technology education. It is a group run under contract to the California Department of Education, Career and Technical Education Unit, that caters to professional development in the state.

The business case of CITEA

The educational areas of the organization include Construction/Wood Shop, Manufacturing/Metal Shop, Graphic Arts, Transportation/Auto Shop, Drafting/Engineering, and Electronics. Its activities include planning and implementation of professional training and conferences, enabling effective communications and networking, and development of Industrial and Technology Education (ITE), Vocational Education (VocEd) and Occupational programs in California through CITEA Foundation. The project goal of CITEA

The main goal of f CITEA is to ensure highly qualified and skilled teachers who have the ability to function in other instructional areas and use innovative technologies effectively. Its mission is to serve the Vocational and ITE communities through the aforementioned activities. Its vision is the attainment of providing every student with literacy and productive learning experiences and enhancing self-sufficiency, creativity, imagination and an appreciation of craftsmanship in ITE and VocEd.

The aim and objectives of CITEA

CITEA aims to 1) stress the importance of ITE; 2) promote the achievement of the recognized objectives; 3) advocate and define high standards of teaching competency, physical plant facilities, and other factors vital to effective learning; 4) encourage close interrelationships of ITE with other areas of the curriculum; 5) keep members informed of the latest developments in industry and ITE; 6) promote direct contact with industry in planning and providing effective instruction in ITE; 7) urge continuous evaluation and revision as needed in ITE programs; 8) encourage and conduct research and applications of research findings in ITE; 9) develop programs in ITE teacher recruitment, selection, and preparation in cooperation with all educational institutions and the State Department of Education; 10) advance the interest and welfare of members; 11) provide opportunities for professional and social contacts and the interchange of ideas between members; 12 publicize the goals and achievements of ITE; and 13) cooperate with other professional organizations for mutual understanding, strength and advancement (CITEA, 2002, p. 2).

The background research and future aspirations of CITEA

CITEA provides programs, opportunities, and resources through CITEC-derived Integrated Performance Activities, Mr. C's CO2 Racing Resources, D&T Online, NASA's “Create the Future" contest, IT Scholarship for HS Students, Palm Springs Conference, Fine Woodworking Magazine, Hands-On Technology, Flying Pig Paper Animation Kits, Junkyard Dogs, and Doug Stowe's Wisdom of the Hands.

Articles are also available for building Career Technical Education (CTE) Framework or model curriculum standards for CITEA. The target audience of CITEA The organization primarily aims to help students in middle schools, high schools, community colleges and universities. It attracts professionals for specific functions and advertisers to for funding. Functional requirements and specifications of CITEA The teachers are required to undergo teacher preparation program from California State University at Los Angeles, Fresno State University, or Humboldt State University, pass the California Subject Examination for Teachers (CSET), and enhance efficiency to implement the ITE and VocEd programs.