Education Roundup for the Week Ending June 6, 2014
SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) today issued this week's roundup of education-related announcements of public interest.
California Schools Awarded Health Science Pathway Grants
To help California to address the critical shortage of workers in the healthcare industry, the CDE is awarding 19 schools across California more than $1 million in California Health Science Capacity Building Project grants, which will prepare students for these jobs.
The grants may be used to establish a new Health Science Pathway Program or to enhance an existing one. Such health careers education programs must be based on California standards that define what a student should know in each grade, provide a sequence of courses, and instruct students in grades seven through twelve in health science.
A path way program connects challenging academics to real-world applications, so students can transition directly into meaningful careers after graduating from high school or to pursue further education in college. Pathway programs add relevancy to students' education, which help them make career decisions based on their interests, aptitudes, and academic achievement so they will be better prepared for the future that awaits them.
The 19 grantees are listed on CDE's Funding Results – California Health Science Capacity Building Project Web page.
Career Technical Education to be Showcased at State Fair
California public high school students this summer will showcase the real-world skills they learned in their career technical education (CTE) courses at school, during the 161st Annual State Fair at Cal Expo in Sacramento.
During the eight-day event July 15–22, students will demonstrate their skills and highlight courses that show how much CTE has evolved in the past several years—from a purely vocational program to a modern career-relevant approach covering 59 contemporary industry pathways. Demonstrations will cover forensic biology used in crime detection, television and film video production, welding through computer simulation, public safety and emergency preparedness, culinary arts food preparation, agriculture careers, and building leadership skills. The showcase will be in the Industrial & Technology Education Building.
The goal is to let all students know about the world of possible career options so they can pursue CTE courses in school. Also, local school boards and parents can find out how to support CTE courses when considering how to use funding under the new Local Control Funding Formula. Students will hand out fact sheets and other materials.
Today's CTE courses provide students with challenging academics, which teach them real-world skills so they will be prepared for meaningful jobs right after graduating from high school or for further training in college or certification programs.
The student showcase complements State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson's Career Readiness Initiative, aimed at boosting the graduation rate in California and providing high school graduates with the knowledge and skills they need to be ready for college and careers.
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Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100