Source: The Oregonian, Portland, Ore.迷你倉Aug. 06--Hillsboro School District Superintendent Mike Scott sees a future in which Hillsboro students are qualified for a wealth of career or college options upon graduation."What if asking, 'what do you want to be when you grow up' wasn't a rhetorical question, but you could actually deliver it?" he asked the Hillsboro School Board last month.The project is called College and Career Pathways, and if it works, Scott said it could be "groundbreaking."The school district has a wealth of experts in all matters k-12, but it doesn't have corporate executives with a view of what the technological future holds or college presidents with the knowledge of where students are academically lacking and the ability to align college and high school courses. The district could also use career advice from city engineers, financial planners, nurses, welders, airplane mechanics.Scott invited leaders from >>, Portland Community College at Rock Creek, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce, Western Oregon University and the City of Hillsboro to collaborate on the project."We wanted decision-makers who could provide opportunities for students and were passionate (about education)," Scott said. Portland State University will also be on the list.The district and its partners, who have met twice, are in the beginning stages of the project and haven't worked out the details, but the district has an outline with a goal of getting 100 percent of its students to graduate and move on to a career or college.About 79 percent of the class of 2012 graduated in four years, according to state figures. In 2011, about 60 percent of Hillsboro graduates enrolled in college, according to state figures.Pathways would start in elementary school with the planting of seeds that college is an expectation, said Steve Larson, assistant superintendent.In middle school, students would prospect areas in which they have interests and would take their first aptitude test, called EXPLORE, to help determine their academic strengths compared to students across the nation and career interests."It gives them information about themselves," Scott said.When students see where their interests and strengths lie, it helps make education relevant and engaging, Scott said. If a student's strengths and interests diverge, it also shows what they need to improve to work toward that career interest."This cannot be a limiting process," he said.In high school, the students move into goal setting. During their first two years, they will more deeply explore their interests and take another aptitude test, PLAN, that helps them move toward a more specific goal. As juniors and seniors, they will step into the real world of work through internships and apprenticeships.One of the keys to the program is students would begin earning college credits in high school, not just through AP tests, but through high school 文件倉lasses that are aligned with courses at PCC, Western Oregon University and Portland State University."We want to them to have 20 doors open to them," Larson said. "But it's up to them if they want a job, two years of college or four years.Both administrators said Pathways is not a tracking system in which a student's career trajectory is based on academics. Tracking would align top students with high-level classes and those who struggle with vocational programs."Our goal is to make this the opposite of a tracking system," Scott said. "More opportunities, more access."During a July board meeting, audience member Jaime Rodriguez raised concerns that the program will focus too much on sending kids to college."College is unaffordable," he said. "Not all students want to go to college."Larson said most careers require at least some training, whether college or trade school, such as electricians and welders.Hillsboro already partners with most of the invitees. For example, >> offers paid internships for high school students, PCC gives students credits for certain high school courses, Western Oregon University offers specific financial programs to Hillsboro graduates, the chamber of commerce finds internships and job shadow opportunities for students.But Pathways brings them together at the same table toward a common goal."We understand we can't do this alone," Scott said. "That's a change for education."All of the partners said they are excited to be part of the process."When we're all together, we can grow the collaboration," said Deanna Palm, Hillsboro Chamber of Commerce president. "If I know more about what's happening with the city or PCC, I can look for opportunities with the chamber to participate (in education) to a richer and deeper level."David McDonald, associate provost at Western Oregon University said the project shows the district recognizes the need to look at the entire education process.Asked what people will see when Pathways is in place, McDonald said, "I hope they see this seamless process that prepares all students from all background to have a whole host of opportunities."Aubrey Clark, >> northwest region education relations manager, said growing employees in Hillsboro will benefit the local economy as well."It's important for >> because we need a skilled workforce," she said. "To have students go through a great academic experience and then to a community college or four-year college and come back and they're hired by >>."Next for the partners is to start working out the details, Scott said."It's a long-term growth process," he said. But students and parents will start seeing more internships, job shadowing and college course alignment with in a year.-- Wendy OwenCopyright: ___ (c)2013 The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) Visit The Oregonian (Portland, Ore.) at .oregonian.com Distributed by MCT Information Services存倉
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