AJC.com > Blogs > Get Schooled > Archives > 2008 > November > 14 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USCareer exposure in school
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gwinnett school leaders announced Thursday that its Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science and Technology will offer classes in 48 different career pathways.
Students will still take their core classes, but they will also have courses in specific areas such as education, engineering and computer science.
Gwinnett is not the first district to offer such classes. They can be found throughout the metro area and one of the most successful is the Central Educational Center in Coweta County.
Whenever I visit one of these programs I often leave impressed — the teachers are excited and the students appear to be learning and having fun while using some very cool gadgets and machines.
These programs allow students to earn some college credit and industry certification before leaving high school. They also promote those “21st century skills” educators, politicians and business leaders say are so important.
But few students enroll. Teachers often tell me they could take in more kids but few are willing to sign up. Guidance counselors say parents still think of these classes as the old vocational programs for weak students.
What can be done to make technical/career education more attractive? Is it time for schools to make some of the classes mandatory?
Comments
By TheBlogger
November 14, 2008 9:10 AM | Link to this
The Titanic could not be turned on a dime. Neither can the thoughts and attitudes of parents or students.
Some of these are excellent programs for students for a variety of reasons. Over time, these excellent programs will be recognized and the students will sign up.
Some of these are horrible programs and are a waste of class time. Over time, these programs will wither on the vine and will go away.
My biggest fear is the few programs that will attract students because they are “easy” and the students learn nothing. The students play all day and really like that. The students make good grades and the parents like that. But reality is that no real learning occurs. So, any “certification” or “college credit” promised won’t happen.
By jim d
November 14, 2008 11:20 AM | Link to this
Ah yes,
Gwinnett’s great experiment. A charter school operated by the powers to be.
Unfortunately those powers are the same powers that refuse to approve other charters.
Golly gee, I guess it’s “my way or the highway Napoalvins” idea of a “World class Education”
By Meme
November 14, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
At one time we taught a career block in our middle grades connections classes. That was done away with after a few years. Personally, I thought that was a good way to expose students to different careers. However, you might (or might not) be surpised at how many students AND their parents expect them to be sports stars. The kids are not the only ones who need to ‘get real’ when it comes to a career.
By Tony
November 14, 2008 4:39 PM | Link to this
The career track idea of school has positive and negative components. If it is designed to truly emphasize the needed skills and knowledge for good careers, then it is worthwhile. To attract kids (and get parent support) include the potential annual earnings in the name of the program. Many of the technical programs require the same college prep skills (algebra, geometry, trig, physics, biology, strong writing/language skills) that have been rolled into the new one-size-fits-all diploma. A good, solid well-rounded education is the best defense to unemployment.
By Tony
November 14, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
I should also include that a strong work ethic does wonders for employment, too.
By jim d
November 17, 2008 2:26 PM | Link to this
More on Gwinnetts WCS (world class school)
By fedup
November 17, 2008 7:59 PM | Link to this
Dear The Blogger and others,
Kids would benefit from being enrolled in CTAE classes that allow students to use academic skills in real-wordl activities. Our current high school population is lacking applied math, reading and writing skills. What is the point of being able to disect a work by Shakespeare if you cannot read and follow directions in a manual? Why is geometry important if you can’t draw to scale. Healthcare science students apply concepts they learned in biology and chemistry. Agriculture students utilize algebra, geometry and chemistry. Constuction students apply many mathematics principles in producing lab products. Family and Consumer Science students multiply and divide fractions. They also utilize chemsitry concepts when evaluating recipes. ROTC programs offer more history than a history class. Business and computer science classes allow students to develop computer skills for the workplace. These are just a few reasons a good CTAE program is important to the current high school population. I encourage you to educate yourself about CTAE. Finally, where else is work ethic stressed. Ask employers what matters? I promise you CTAE does a better job of preparing students for work than academic classes.
By Old School
November 18, 2008 1:19 PM | Link to this
THANK YOU, fedup! You are singing my song! I’ve been trying to convince our school board to look at making our CTAE department a charter school with academic classes that are relevant and seamlessly integrated into the “shop” classes. The traditional high school could become a “college prep” charter since every parent’s child will be going to college anyway. Even special needs students would benefit from classes designed to meet their needs. Common classes would include band, drama, art, PE, and lunch. That would allow enough socialization.
Three charter schools in one. I’m thinking it just might work.