Alabama’s Career and Technical Education program is designed to empower students to meet the daily challenges of the twenty-first century with the work-readiness skills needed for success. This program provides a curriculum wherein students are actively engaged in learning through career-oriented activities. National affiliated student organizations such as FBLA and FFA are integral, co-curricular components of each career and technical education course. These organizations serve as a means to enhance classroom instruction while helping students develop leadership abilities, expand workplace-readiness skills and broaden opportunities for personal and professional growth. The focus is to help students develop an understanding of all aspects of industry and technology in the program area while learning teamwork and leadership skills. Piedmont City Schools currently offer Career and Technical Education classes at the middle and high school level. Piedmont High School offers classes through a 2-year rotation. During the 2013-2014 school year students will have the opportunity to take Agriscience, Construction Framing, Introduction to Metal Fabrication and Horticulture. In 2014-2015 students may choose to take Agriscience, Construction Finishing, Introduction to MIG Welding and Horticulture. • Agriscience is a course that provides students with a general overview of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. • Construction Framing is designed to provide students with an understanding of the framing phase of a structure, including framing components. • Construction Finishing is designed to facilitate student understanding of the finishing phase of a structure. • Introduction to Metal Fabrication provides students with opportunities to examine safety and technical information in metal fabrication and to participate in hands-on activities in the laboratory. • Horticulture includes career opportunities, safety, plant physiology, growing media, greenhouse facilities, greenhouse and nursery crop production, plant identification and classification, pest management, hydroponics and vegetable gardening, and technological applications. • Introduction to MIG welding provides students with opportunities to examine safety and technical information in metal fabrication and participate in hands-on activities in the laboratory. The middle school offers Computer Essentials for eighth grade students who want to master basic skills in the areas of word processing, database management, spreadsheet applications, multimedia presentations, and Internet research. The Piedmont City School System does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs and provides equal access to affiliated student organizations. In addition, arrangements can be made to ensure that the lack of English language proficiency is not a barrier to admission or participation. Inquiries regarding nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: Mike Hayes, Title II Coordinator 502 Hood Street West Piedmont, AL 36272 256-447-8831 Debra Ledbetter, 504 Coordinator 504 Hood Street Piedmont, AL 36272 256-447-7483 Revonda Pruitt, Title IX Coordinator 504 Hood Street Piedmont, AL 36272 256-447-7483 For more information contact Mark Mitchell at mmitchell@piedmont.k12.al.us regarding high school classes and Jennie Baer at jbaer@piedmont.k12.al.us.