Description of Occupational Courses

AUTO COLLISION TECHNOLOGY is designed to teach shaping, finishing, and replacing of sheet metal, glass, and trim. The course includes oxyacetylene welding, and brazing, metal cutting, MIG welding, and frame alignment. Students also learn characteristics and application of enamel and lacquer paints and finishes, and to estimate the cost of repairs.

WELDING TECHNOLOGY teaches welding fundamentals and practice. The course includes oxy-acetylene cutting, stick electrode welding, MIG and TIG welding, and plasma arc cutting. Students have opportunities to use their skills in projects ranging from small repair jobs to trailer construction.

AUTO REPAIR TECHNOLOGY introduces general mechanics. Students learn to diagnose and repair automotive mechanical problems. They are exposed to a variety of equipment, including hand tools, brake lathes, engine analyzers, and other diagnostic equipment. Practical experience is gained through repairing automobiles in the school shop.

BUSINESS/MARKETING EDUCATION includes instruction in keyboarding, computer applications, office procedures and accounting. Emphasis is placed on personal development, positive work attitudes and habits, and business ethics. Business Education courses are founded on the basic skills of reading, writing, computing and economics.

HEALTH SCIENCE EDUCATION introduces students to specific health occupations, such as nursing, physical therapy, respiratory therapy, laboratory technology, and dental assisting. During the first year of the two year course, students learn basic medical terms and become familiar with basic medical equipment. Second year instruction includes placement in health care institutions for practical training. Students who complete this program receive an embedded science credit.

JAG (Jobs for Alabama's Graduates) allow students to learn basic business concepts and employability skills in both the classroom and through on-the-job training. The seniors' only programs are offered at Dallas County, Keith, and Southside High Schools, the places priority on assisting students with placement and advancement of their jobs. Students receive one credit for their classroom performance and an additional credit if they co-op.

TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION is an exploratory course offered to students in the 9th and 10th grades. It allows the student to visit a variety of careers through modules including computer applications, building trades, CAD, graphics, and computer aided publishing.

FAMILY AND CONSUMER SCIENCE prepares students with knowledge and skills in areas that include parenting, food science, fashion and clothing design, and housing and interior design.

COURSE LENGTH AND CREDIT

The normal length of all occupational courses is two years. All non-occupational courses are one year in length, with the exception of some technology education and home economics courses. These courses vary in length from nine weeks to one year.

LOCATION

A career awareness program is offered in grades 7 and 8. Also, courses in Business Education, Home Economics, Marketing Education, and Technology Education are offered in the high schools. Specialized training in Auto Body Repair, Auto Mechanics, Building Construction, Health Occupations, and Welding is available to county high school students at Dallas County Career Technical Center. Transportation to and from the Career Technical Center is provided.

ENROLLMENT

Eighth graders are informed of educational opportunities as they establish their four-year school plan, vocational testing is offered to special populations students before they enter vocational courses. Vocational school personnel encourage students to explore many areas and make vocational choices based on individual abilities and interests of traditional gender roles. Contact your school counselor for assistance during spring registration.

EXTENDED EXPERIENCES

The vocational curriculum includes more than classroom instruction. Laboratory or shop work gives students supervised practical experience using the material, equipment, and processes of specific occupations. The study and practice of employability skills teaches work discipline and related skills. On-the-job experience is available through the Marketing Education programs. Students are encouraged to participate at local, state, and national levels in students' organizations and competitions that are available in every course.

JOB PLACEMENT

All occupational teachers assist students in securing employment upon successful completion of the program. Employment opportunities and employment data are available at the office of the Dallas County Career Technical Center.

It is the official policy of the Dallas County School System that no person, on the grounds of race, color, handicap, sex, religion, marital status, creed, national origin, or age, be excluded from participating in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination under any program activity, or employment.

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

All Career/Technical programs in Dallas County are certified to meet industry standards. In addition to Business/Industry certification standards required by the State Department of Education, the Health Occupations program is certified by the Department of Public Health (C.N.A.), the Welding Program is endorsed by the State Highway Department and the American Welding Society, and the Building Construction program is certified by the Association of General Contractors. The Auto Body and Auto Mechanics programs will meet ASE (NATEF) standards in 2001. All instructors are presently certified by industry standards.

DALLAS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOLS

Southside High School

7975 US Highway 80E

Selma, AL 30701

872-0518

Keith High School

1166 Dallas Rd. 115

Orville, AL 36767

875-4155

Dallas County High School

P.O. Box 145

Plantersville, AL 36758

366-2232

For more information, contact your school counselor or

Dallas County Career Technical Center

1306 Roosevelt Avenue

Selma, AL 36701

872-8031

  Nan Brown Curtis, Health  Science

  Jeannie Evans, Health  Science

  Danny Gaylor, Welding Technology

 Kenneth Wilkinson, Auto Repair Technology

  Michael Shelton, Auto Collision Technology

Clifford Harrison, Custodian
 

                 Dallas County School District  

The Dallas County Board of Education is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, or disability in any of its educational programs or activities.