about FATE

In 1970, Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) called on its business and professional community for assistance in providing a unique, comprehensive educational program that would develop “in demand” vocational skills for participating high school students. In addition, an entrepreneurial component was integrated to better prepare students for a successful transition into the workplace. The result was the formation of a partnership in 1971 known as the Fairfax County Vocational Education Foundation, Inc. (FAXVO). In 1991, the name was amended to the Foundation for Applied Technical Education, Inc. (FATE).Today, the Foundation consists of representatives from a wide range of business and professional organizations dedicated to providing resources, support, and career opportunities to students enrolled in Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The FATE-sponsored CTE instructional programs facilitate active student learning through the use of contextual teaching whereby students discover meaningful relationships between abstract ideas and practical applications in the context of the real world. Furthermore, student risk-taking in collaborative learning environments and participation in work-based learning are reinforced.

Students are encouraged to become thoughtful, self-directed, life-long learners with a strong commitment to becoming participative members of society and the workforce.Programs in 2005-06 include:

• Spring Hill and Spring Village Residential Construction program;
  
• Virginia’s first licensed used car auto dealership at Marshall High School Academy (Student Auto Sales, SAS);
  
• Springfield Classroom-on-the-Mall, the first of its kind that began over 25 years ago in a shopping center environment;
  
• Digital Imaging and Graphic Studio (DIGS).

Through these programs, business partnerships, scholarships, and other initiatives, the Foundation aspires to enable students to acquire industry-valued occupational and employability skills, confidence to pursue post secondary education, and broad-based global thinking that will propel them into successful careers. FATE will continue its journey to explore and search for new and innovative ways to establish educational environments that enhance student learning and therefore become a vital component of a comprehensive educational program.

F A T E

Chad Maclin
Executive Director
(703) 208-7799

Joanne Heaton
Administrative Assistant
(703) 208-7803

Annual Report 2008




Annual Report 2006




By-Laws