About
HISTORY
McCann Technical School opened in 1962 and for the past 60 years has offered quality secondary and postsecondary technical education to generations of area citizens. The school is named for its visionary founder, Charles H. McCann, and continues to evolve offering 9 secondary and 5 postsecondary programs with an enrollment of 575 students.
MISSION
The mission of McCann Technical School is to graduate technically skilled, academically prepared, and socially responsible individuals ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
VISION
McCann Technical School is committed to being the leader of quality technical education and academic achievement in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
The school community will create a learning environment that motivates and actively engages all students in mastering rigorous academic and technical curricula. Our educational philosophy is sustained by faculty, staff, and administrators dedicated to a student-centered focus through continuous improvement. Student growth and development are promoted by instilling the following core values in our students:
- Respect for self, others, and the learning environment promotes a positive learning experience for all students.
- Effort is demonstrated through an applied work ethic that includes punctuality, improvement, and a determination to succeed.
- Accountability develops personal responsibility for both behavior and learning.
- Communication facilitates collaboration, promotes self-advocacy, and develops positive relationships.
- Honor requires students to act with integrity, honesty, positivity, and empathy for others.
- Campus Safety and Security Report 2024
- Graduate Placement Plan
- Policies
- Postsecondary Programs Catalog
- Program Information
Campus Safety and Security Report 2024
Graduate Placement Plan
Graduate Placement Plan 2023-2026
This plan was created as a guide to assist program coordinators in the fulfillment of their graduate placement responsibilities. Coordinators will review the plan annually with the superintendent to provide recommendations for change. Coordinators will also prepare documents tracking placement with the superintendent.
The plan outlines the process each coordinator is responsible to complete and is consistent with the standards of approving and/or accrediting agencies.
Inform students that the program reputation precedes their enrollment and that employers frequently contact us for available graduates. This is important for them to understand the reputation we have within the community and the advantages a McCann graduate can have within your profession.
The program coordinators will:
- Keep externship and agencies/employers informed of current class numbers and potential in early fall.
- Maintain linkage with MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board and MassHire Berkshire Career Center for placement advocacy.
- Develop career expectations individually with students.
- Maintain current communication contact information with employers.
- Provide placement advocacy with program advisory committee.
- Review job skill requirements with students consistent with the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education curriculum framework Strand 4 requirements.
- Provide workplace communication and appearance skills to students.
- Develop appropriate oral and written workplace communication skills especially use of social media.
- Discuss the relevancy of salary, benefits, and related working conditions.
- Maintain student placement records.
- Provide statistical evidence of placement for reporting at the end of the program.
Program coordinators will collect information from completers about placement and employers of completers and submit to the superintendent. They will publish the data collected from graduates and their employers to ensure that program effectiveness, relevancy to state and national standards, effectiveness of curriculum and educational methodology are included as an evaluative tool for program improvement. All data must provide the basis for completer feedback in improving the quality of program outcomes. The superintendent will gather such data annually and review with faculty, staff, and advisory committee members.
Graduate Placement Plan 2023-2026 pdf
Policies
Grievance Policy
The student grievance policy provides a system to manage student issues against faculty, staff, or fellow students. Students desiring to discuss or file a grievance should use the following protocols:
- The student shall make an appointment, within three (3) days, with the instructor to discuss the issue with the objective of resolving the issue informally.
- If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student, the student may submit the grievance in writing to the program coordinator within three days of the informal discussion.
- The program coordinator shall investigate the grievance and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of receipt of the formal grievance filing.
- Should the grievance not be resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student may appeal the decision to the principal. The appeal should be made in writing within 7 days of the program coordinator's report. The principal shall investigate the issue and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of his/her receipt of the appeal letter.
- Should the grievance not be resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student may appeal the decision to the superintendent. This appeal should be made in writing within 7 days of the principal's report. The superintendent shall investigate the issue and report to the student both verbally and in writing within 7 days of his/her receipt of the appeal letter.
- Should the grievance not be resolved to the student's satisfaction, the student may contact the Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Road, Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350.
Readmission Policy
Students who have been dismissed for academic reasons will be considered for readmission to the school after providing evidence of increased potential for success. Appropriate factors for consideration might include successful academic study, work experience, and more mature or renewed orientation to the program. Readmission is contingent on available space at the school.
Refund Policy
McCann postsecondary programs adhere to the following refund policy:
- Full tuition refunds are granted for any program cancelled by McCann.
- A full tuition refund is given before the first day of class, 75% tuition refund is given for class days 1-6, 50% for class days 7-10, and no tuition refund after 10 class days.
- Refunds are processed after the end of the refund period. Refund checks are mailed to the student's home address on file in the superintendent's office within 15 days of refund approval.
- No refunds for books, fees, or kits.
Withdrawal Policy
Should a student wish to withdraw from the program, the student should contact the program coordinator to discuss the issue. Should the student wish to proceed with the withdrawal, a letter of withdrawal, including the student’s name, program, date of withdrawal, and reason for withdrawal should be submitted to the postsecondary office. Program enrollment shall be terminated on the date of receipt of formal withdrawal notification.
Postsecondary Programs Catalog
Program Information
- Academic Year
- Associate/Bachelor Degree Option
- Books and Equipment
- Credit Hours
- Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
- Grading System
Academic Year
The cosmetology, dental and medical assisting and surgical technology programs are ten months in length with the academic year divided into two semesters, fall and spring. Classes are regularly scheduled Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM. Clinical externship components are scheduled with consideration for optimal learning experiences, therefore, hours will vary. School holidays and vacations follow the schedule of surrounding secondary schools. Students enter the program of choice in the fall semester, with orientation and first classes being held during the early part of September. Graduation takes place during early June. Semester course loads vary by program. The practical nursing program is a 10-month program, consisting of three terms with classes starting in January and graduation taking place in November. Classes are held at the Berkshire Medical Center North Campus, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM to 2:45 PM.
Associate/Bachelor Degree Option
Students who successfully complete our dental assisting or medical assisting programs and become certified in their appropriate field may receive 32 credits towards an Associate Degree in Health Science from Berkshire Community College. Our practical nursing students who successfully complete our program and become licensed receive 17 credits to meet the requirements of Berkshire Community College NUR 101 and NUR 102 courses towards their Associate of Science Degree in Nursing.
Books and Equipment
All students are responsible for the purchase of required textbooks, instruments, supplies and uniforms. A detailed list will be sent to each student providing information on specific textbooks and supplies necessary for the fall semester. A similar list will be provided in early winter for the spring semester.
Credit Hours
Normally, one credit hour is earned by class attendance for each fifty-minute increment. Laboratory and clinical classes are exempted from these criteria and credits will vary in accordance with the length and frequency of its scheduling.
THE PASSING GRADE IS 76 for all postsecondary subject areas. The syllabus for each course outlines the grading criteria for that course.
Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI)
Grading System
The postsecondary students receive a copy of their grade report at the end of each semester. The grades are recorded on the student grade report in alphabetical form with a numerical point value. The grading system is listed below.
| LETTER GRADE | GRADE POINT |
NUMERICAL |
|---|---|---|
| A | 4.0 | 98-100 |
| A- | 3.7 | 94-97 |
| B+ | 3.3 | 90-93 |
| B | 3.0 | 87-89 |
| B- | 2.7 | 84-86 |
| C+ | 2.3 | 81-83 |
| C | 2.0 | 78-80 |
| C- | 1.7 | 76-77 |
| F (Fail) | 0.0 | 0-75 |
| W (Withdraw) | ||
| P (Pass) | ||
| I (Incomplete) |
- Immunizations
- Insurance
- OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen
- Satisfactory Academic Progress
- SkillsUSA
- Transfer Credit
Immunizations
All postsecondary students are required to provide documentation of immunity to measles, mumps and rubella by blood titers or have had two doses of MMR after 1967, tetanus diphtheria pertussis (Tdap) within the last 9 years, the Hepatitis B series, varicella (chickenpox) 2 doses or immunity by blood titer. All students 21 years of age or younger are required to have the Meningococcal Vaccine, 1 dose MenACWY [formerly MCV4]. Dental assisting, medical assisting, surgical technology and practical nursing students must also have the Mantoux (PPD) test for Tuberculosis and a recent flu vaccine. Students must return a completed immunization form signed by a doctor to the postsecondary office before the first day of classes, or be subject to withdrawal and all clinical sites require COVID-19 vaccination and a COVID-19 booster six months after the initial injection.
Insurance
OSHA/Bloodborne Pathogen
Satisfactory Academic Progress
Students applying for or participating in federal or state financial aid programs of any type must make satisfactory academic progress toward a certificate to maintain eligibility for financial aid consideration.
To achieve satisfactory academic progress, students must meet the following criteria:
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A student must be enrolled full-time.
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A student must be in compliance with the school attendance policy.
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A student must earn a passing grade, as outlined in the school handbook, at the end of first semester in all subject areas in order to enter second semester.
SkillsUSA
McCann Technical School is a 100% participant in SkillsUSA, an organization serving more than 300,000 high school and college students and professional members who are enrolled in training programs in technical, skilled, and service occupations, including health occupations. Students participate in a variety of technical skill competitions at the local, state and national levels.
Transfer Credit
Applicants for admission who seek to transfer credits should submit official transcripts, along with a written request, to the admissions office. To be considered for transfer, credits must be earned at an accredited institution with a grade of B- (3.0) or better and should reflect successful completion of a course comparable to one offered at McCann and appropriate for the student’s major. Catalog course descriptions and syllabi will be required. Practical nursing students can only transfer credit for PN 101 or PN 102. No credit is given for experiential learning.