City eyes tech education overhaul
'Clusters' would focus on health careers, business, finance and culinary arts
Wednesday, March 03, 2010
The Pittsburgh Public Schools administration has unveiled a proposal for high school career and technical education that would require $38 million in capital improvements.
The proposal calls for the district to be divided into three "regional clusters" aimed at ensuring all students have access to three programs: health careers; information technology, business and finance; and culinary arts.
In addition, some high schools also would have "signature programming" -- such as robotics or auto body repair.
Students participating in the signature programming would have to attend a high school within the same region, but a process may be created to permit transfers.
"I think this plan is a very cost-effective way of maximizing career and technical education's potential to help with our strategies around having opportunities for kids after high school," said school Superintendent Mark Roosevelt.
Derrick Lopez, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, and Angela Mike, acting executive director of career and technical education, presented the proposal to the school board Tuesday evening.
Board members had some questions about how the plan would work and will talk about it more at a public meeting to be scheduled.
The proposal calls for the district to be divided into three "regional clusters" aimed at ensuring all students have access to three programs: health careers; information technology, business and finance; and culinary arts.
In addition, some high schools also would have "signature programming" -- such as robotics or auto body repair.
Students participating in the signature programming would have to attend a high school within the same region, but a process may be created to permit transfers.
"I think this plan is a very cost-effective way of maximizing career and technical education's potential to help with our strategies around having opportunities for kids after high school," said school Superintendent Mark Roosevelt.
Derrick Lopez, assistant superintendent of secondary schools, and Angela Mike, acting executive director of career and technical education, presented the proposal to the school board Tuesday evening.
Board members had some questions about how the plan would work and will talk about it more at a public meeting to be scheduled.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10062/1039811-298.stm#ixzz0h82ZmUuM