It's been an exciting year for the Cisco Networking Academy. As we embark on the tenth anniversary of the program, we have launched a new strategic direction, new CCNA curriculum products, and a fresh new look to our marketing campaign, including Mind Wide Open, a new Networking Academy promotional video.

In this issue, you’ll learn about some of the many ways we are working to rejuvenate and reenergize the Cisco Networking Academy with a focus on student impact and success. Here are a few examples:

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Missouri was one of the first states to offer the Cisco Networking Academy as a statewide initiative when the program launched in 1997. Missouri gives secondary students the opportunity to receive college credit through statewide articulation agreements.

Recently, we had a chance to interview Dr. Nancy Headrick, Assistant Commissioner for the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Division of Career Education for the State of Missouri (http://www.dese.mo.gov/).

With over 23 years experience working in the Department of Education, Dr. Headrick has seen an evolution in career and technical education (CTE) programs and has been a leader in developing strategic partnerships to help address regional workforce needs.

Q: What are some of the top-of-mind issues being addressed within the CTE field?

Dr. Headrick: There has to be a continuing focus on the rigor and relevance of CTE programs. We’re constantly looking for innovative ways to ensure students are being prepared for careers and have opportunities available to them. It’s critically important that students have the problem-solving skills and are taught at the highest level to ensure they can compete in today’s market.

Often times, we’re preparing them for careers that don’t necessarily exist today, given the pace of advancement in technology. That can be a challenge. In addition, teachers need a high level of technology expertise and skills to help prepare students. Providing them with professional development opportunities is equally critical.

Q: What value does the new Perkins legislation bring to CTE initiatives?

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Related News: ACTE Launches Best Practices and Programs Website

The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) has established a new Website highlighting best practices in career and technical education. 

The Best Practices and Programs site showcases secondary and postsecondary programs nationwide, illustrating how schools and institutions have found creative solutions to provide students with technical skills and learning opportunities.

You must be a member of ACTE to access this site. Educators may register for free.

New CCNA Curricula Updates

In February 2007, we sent an update regarding the next generation of the CCNA curricula to internal and select external audiences. We received great feedback, and we are pleased to announce the following official names for the new CCNA curricula:

• CCNA Discovery (previously Cheetah and CCNA-B)
• CCNA Exploration (previously Eagle and CCNA-A)

The following new and updated resources are now available to help you learn more about CCNA Discovery and Exploration:

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Updated IT Essentials Curriculum

In August 2006, the Cisco Networking Academy Program announced the development of an update to the popular IT Essentials I: PC Hardware and Software course.

Here are three key changes in the Version 4.0 curriculum, which will be available in June 2007:

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Download Your State Profile from the New Academy Resource Center

Have you ever wished there were a resource that would give you a better understanding of the Cisco Networking Academy implementation in your state? Thanks to an ambitious undertaking we call Project 51, this resource is now a reality.

The Project 51 document takes an in-depth look at the impact and implementation of the Cisco Networking Academy across all 50. states and the District of Columbia. It contains:

• A state-by-state overview of the Networking Academy program
• A student/graduate profile for each state
• National and state employment trends based on IT-related job titles

Click here to download Project 51

Introducing the New Cisco Networking Academy Resource Center

To increase your access to this and other resources, we have created a Cisco Networking Academy Resource Center, which will host Project 51 and the following materials:

• A new 90-second video that expands on the idea of Cisco Networking Academy students as the architects of the networked economy
• Three data sheets that complement the core materials:
  • Promoting IT Careers Strategies describesevents and activities to foster students’ interest in the world of IT and networking careers.
  • How to Become an Academy explains the structure of the program and leads institutions through the six steps to becoming a Cisco Networking Academy.
  • News@Cisco’s feature article Cisco Networking Academy at 10 highlights both the history and future direction of the program.
• Archives of this newsletter

Visit the Cisco Networking Academy Resource Center today.

Register Today for Academy Conference 2007

Registration for Academy Conference 2007 is now open. Please pick your favorite location or the date that works best for you!

• June 18 to 20  Austin, TX
• July 9 to 11      Cleveland, OH
• July 16 to 18    Long Beach, CA

We share your commitment to “Educating the Architects of the Networked Economy” and to preparing students to successfully compete in a global economy. You’ll find this year's agenda packed with both technical and program sessions that will help you and your students be successful.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Student Impact: Save the Date

The Cisco Networking Academy launched almost ten years ago in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill. This year, we will return to Washington D.C. to celebrate and highlight both students and instructors throughout the United States, the impact the Cisco Networking Academy has had in the last decade, and how the program is positioned to have an even greater impact in the decade to come.

More details will be available shortly, but for now, be sure to save the dates of October 2 and 3, 2007.

Looking Forward to the Next Decade of Student Success: News@Cisco Feature Article

This feature article from News@Cisco is also available for download as a pdf to share with administrators, parents, and students.

News@Cisco: Cisco Networking Academy at 10

When it comes to technology, a decade can represent a lifetime.

But a decade is also a good time to step back, take a look at accomplishments, and re-invest in technology programs that work. That's exactly what Cisco is doing as the company celebrates the first ten years of its successful Networking Academy. Since late 2006, Cisco has been gearing up with a series of events that will highlight the many milestones reached during its successful first decade - and set the stage for the future.

Read the full article at News@Cisco

Download the article as a formatted pdf

Will Someone Help Me Find My TV Remote?

By Peter Joyce, Cisco Networking Academy Workforce Development Manager

Rober AlderI was saddened to hear about the death of Robert Adler last month. Who was he, you ask? He was a man who truly changed our culture forever by inventing the wireless TV remote control – the Zenith Space Command. Up until 1956, most couch potatoes grumped every time they had to get up from a relaxed position to change the television channel. Mr. Adler had the ingenuity to do something about it!

Laying the Groundwork for Wirelessness

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In the News: Cisco Networking Academies Host Job Shadow Day 2007

Yahoo! Tech: Cisco's Groundhog Job Shadow Day
I spent Groundhog Day in Cisco's New York offices with 70 students representing the cream of the crop of high schools that are a part of the Cisco Networking Academy, a program designed to teach students how to build and maintain networks. The participating schools partner with Cisco to offer basic network administration certification. If it sounds like the kind of day where you might catch a few Zs while someone talked about routers, think again.

Robin Raskin's Raising Digital Kids: Cisco’s Groundhog Day
A study conducted after last year’s Job Shadow Day found that teens who have job-shadowed are more likely to seek employment while in high school and more likely to believe they will complete college.

Network World Profiles Cisco Networking Academy Graduate

Finding success with certifications: One former HR exec found success retraining as an IT pro

Here’s one story that shows how certifications can boost a person’s career. Cisco got me in touch with Michael Crocker, a six-year human resources specialist who, feeling uninspired in his “paper-driven” job decided to take networking classes part-time and is now enjoying a shift lead position working on the Navy Marines Corps Intranet (NMCI) project.

Alumni Profile: Student with Disability Excels in Technology

At an early age, Bryan Donlan was diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a developmental disorder that affects one’s ability to interact socially. This didn’t interfere with Bryan’s pursuit of academic excellence, and by the age of 15, he graduated from high school and earned his Cisco Certified Networking Associate (CCNA) certification.

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Have You Seen It Yet? Did You Know? Video Paints Compelling Picture of the Need for IT Education in the United States

This thought-provoking video has already made its way around education circles very quickly and with good reason. Karl Fisch has crafted a compelling wake-up call for educators, business, and government alike by adapting material from Thomas Friedman , Ian Jukes, and Ray Kurtzweil for this video that challenges viewers to understand the world that students are entering today.

View the video today.

U.S. High-Tech Industry Adds Jobs for Second Year in a Row, AeA Report Says

The U.S. high-tech industry is adding jobs for the second year in a row, according to the 2007 “Cyberstates” report, published annually by AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association). In 2006 the U.S. tech industry employed 5.8 million people—up 2.6 percent from 2005. That translates into 147,000 positions, compared with 87,400 jobs added in 2005.

Wisconsin Technology Network on IT Workforce Development: Losing the Numbers Game

According to ITAWi, the number of college-educated (skilled) workers in all fields will decrease nationwide over the next 13 years.

An estimated 46 million baby boomers with a college education will retire by 2020, and will be replaced by 49 million college graduates who will enter the workforce. However, about 12 million new skilled positions will be added overall by 2020, leaving a gap of nine million between the number of skilled positions available and the number of college graduates available to fill them.

CNN Money.com: Skilled Worker Shortage Hurts United States

According to ITAWi, the number of college-educated (skilled) workers in all fields will decrease nationwide over the next 13 years.

An estimated 46 million baby boomers with a college education will retire by 2020, and will be replaced by 49 million college graduates who will enter the workforce. However, about 12 million new skilled positions will be added overall by 2020, leaving a gap of nine million between the number of skilled positions available and the number of college graduates available to fill them.

Network World: The Hot Technology Skills for 2007

Forrester's November 2006 survey of about 280 IT decision makers revealed that project management is a "missing skill set" in some 55 percent of respondents' IT organizations. IT managers will also be looking to increase their information security skills. According to survey results, nearly one-third of IT leaders plan to hire security staff in 2007.

Education Week: Federal Organizations Use Web to Attract Girls to Science

Forrester's November 2006 survey of about 280 IT decision makers revealed that project management is a "missing skill set" in some 55 percent of respondents' IT organizations. IT managers will also be looking to increase their information security skills. According to survey results, nearly one-third of IT leaders plan to hire security staff in 2007.

Yahoo!: Show Me the Money! The Scoop on the Highest Paying Careers

Forrester's November 2006 survey of about 280 IT decision makers revealed that project management is a "missing skill set" in some 55 percent of respondents' IT organizations. IT managers will also be looking to increase their information security skills. According to survey results, nearly one-third of IT leaders plan to hire security staff in 2007.