Review Agenda Item
Meeting Date: 9/12/2024 - 5:30 PM
Category: ITEMS OF BUSINESS
Type: Info
Subject: 1. Annual Update with Possible Action on Workforce Readiness for the 2023-2024 School Year
Strategic Plan Compatibility Statement:
Goal 1
Academic Achievement
Policy: Admin Policy 7.01 - Teaching and Learning Goals
Attachments
File Attachment:
Annual Workforce Readiness Report_2023-2024.pdf
Background: The annual workforce-readiness report was last provided at the September 2023 meeting of the Committee on Student Achievement and School Innovation. The Career and Technical Education (CTE) office has continued its work to improve and expand student work readiness and provide work opportunities for students throughout the district. The following are highlights from the 2023–24 school year: • At least 2,055 students had some sort of work experience in 2023–24 that included youth apprenticeships, internships, the School-to-Work Transition Program, work release, and the 2023 summer Mayor’s Earn and Learn program. • There was a record number of youth apprenticeships and internships in 2023–24. Internship numbers have grown every year since the internship program’s inception seven years ago. • Students participating in work-based learning are representative of the district’s population for gender, disability, and race. • Full-time, limited-term employment, work-based learning specialist positions were filled to assist 13 high schools with student work readiness and employment. These individuals worked directly in our schools to assist students with securing and sustaining employment. • CTE met monthly with school staff to ensure efficient communication and coordination between the schools and CTE to continue growing the number of internships and youth apprenticeships for our students. • A new Employer Handbook was developed with our M3 partners, UWM and MATC, to supply employers with a resource for providing high-quality work-based learning for our students. • The district’s student job board was the students’ tool for viewing and applying for positions. CTE contracted with a vendor to provide an improved job board for the upcoming year. • Students interested in work opportunities had access to two Google Classrooms, and staff had access to a Google Drive folder to provide students with an array of work-readiness resources. • Over 1,000 juniors and seniors participated in spring job fairs, exceeding the previous year’s numbers by 12%. A work-readiness conference in February prepared students for the fairs. • Approximately 700 students participated in the fall 2023 Skilled Trade and Technical Career Fair. • A student advisory group and student surveys provided CTE with feedback so that we can better meet students’ work-based learning needs. • More than 100 students were recognized this past spring for successfully completing an internship and at least four related courses in their chosen career pathway. • More than 100 employers were recognized in August for their support of our students and participation in our work-based learning program. • CTE continued a contract with District C to train teachers and facilitate alternative work experiences for students that will provide them with the kinds of transferable skills needed to succeed in the workplace. • We continue to work together with our M3 partners on the M3 Work-Based Learning Committee to improve and expand work-based learning opportunities for students.
Fiscal Impact Statement:
Implementation and Assessment Plan
Recommendation:
Approvals:
Recommended By:
Signed By:
Eric Radomski - Senior Manager, Career and Technical Education
Signed By:
John Hill, Ph.D. - Director
Signed By:
Jennifer Mims Howell - Chief Academic Officer
Signed By:
Eduardo Galvan - Interim Superintendent