From the cover
Students ready for futures with career programs
The approach
The big picture
PISD officials are working to offer more certi- fications through the CTE program, said Christie Micks, a Rock Hill computer science teacher. “We have to target what we’re wanting [stu- dents] to do in the workforce,” Micks said. Learning a variety of computer coding languages helps students when compiling a portfolio for college and job applications, Rock Hill student Natalia Cano said. “You can really find what you want to do by taking CTE courses,” said the high school senior, who plans to major in computer science in college. A student can learn if they don’t like a field, but can also become passionate about a program while still in school, Contreras said. “There’s a benefit to picking and choosing one program of study and sticking with it,” he said.
Health science is one career and technical education, or CTE, program offered through PISD. While the course is focused on health care, students learn transferable skills, such as professional communication with patients. “[Communication] is a big skill that is lacking at the high school level,” Lewis said. “These kids get a great benefit by talking to real-life people.” For CISD, the CTE program offerings have more than doubled since 2019, the district’s Director Ryan Contreras said. In that time, student enrollment for the CTE program has grown
90% for the fall semester of the 2023-24 school year, he said. Contreras said students do not pay out of pocket for CTE courses and only pay for Collin College tuition when it is a dual credit course. Those who take advanced courses benefit from exploring careers and gaining experience in a field, Contreras said. “[Students] get practical experience and can go out and apply it into the real-life business world,” he said.
Celina ISD
Prosper ISD
Highest-enrolled career and technical education programs
14 programs
12 programs
Health care therapeutic 228 Family community service 476 Celina ISD Enrollment
10 certifications offered
29 certifications offered
$160-$170 * tuition per semester for Collin College courses
$188 tuition per semester for Collin College courses
1,877 students enrolled in fall semester of 2023-24 school year
8,479 ** students enrolled in fall semester of 2023-24 school year
Prosper ISD Enrollment
Engineering and computer science
1474
SOURCES: CELINA ISD, PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT *FEES NOT CONSIDERED IN COST **ENROLLED MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS ARE AN APPROXIMATION
Health science
1352
SOURCES: CELINA ISD, PROSPER ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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