School board approves new plan for career ed
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The Pittsburgh school board on Wednesday approved an overhaul of the district's high school career and technical education, adopting a plan that could require about $38 million in capital improvements.
Under the plan, the district would be divided into three regional clusters to ensure that all students have access to three programs: health careers; information technology, business and finance; and culinary arts.
As part of the plan, some high schools also will have "signature programs" like robotics or auto body repair. Because of the adoption of the cluster model, Pittsburgh Brashear's culinary arts program will close effective July 1.
Students participating in the signature programming will have to attend a high school within the same region, but a process may be created to permit transfers.
Describing it as "a solid plan with areas that can be strengthened," Dara Ware Allen, chairwoman of the committee on education, said the plan, which will take effect in the 2011-2012 academic year, is open to other changes before implementation.
The plan was approved in an 8-1 vote. Board member Mark Brentley Sr., was the lone dissenting vote.
Previously known as vocational education, district administrators estimate that the CTE program will have an enrollment of 600 to 800.
Under the new plan, students will take academic classes in the morning or afternoon, and career and technical education classes in the other portion of the day. They will travel to and from schools by Port Authority transit.
First Published May 27, 2010 12:00 am
