Traditional technical education can do a lot of good for students, but it’s often stigmatized for neglecting college-prep and locking kids into one job. But Georgia high schools’ new Pathway program features big improvements. All students in the program choose an academically-focused path, and participate in electives, college preparatory courses, and career exploration. The courses in the program challenge students to develop problem-solving skills as they earn industry certifications through a hybrid model. At Dalton High School in Dalton, Georgia, students work with 3D-printers, welding equipment, and computer-controlled machinery. The program makes academic and economic sense, and it’s a great way to prepare students simultaneously for the workforce and higher education.
Tag: technical education
Here’s a Scholarship That Does More Than Send Kids to College
The state of Maine realizes that one size doesn’t fit all in the realm of higher education and career preparation. So it’s using the Competitive Skills Scholarship Program to offer low-income students multiple options to gain an education and a job in a high-growth field. The program awards funding for four-year degrees, certificate training, or apprenticeship programs to students who demonstrate that there are jobs in their chosen field within commuting distance, or in an area of Maine where they’ll move after their education is completed. The Department of Labor is working on making the program more effective and able to serve more students, so it can help more Maine residents get out of poverty and into a good job.