Board reviews Perkins V CTE plan; district emphasizes career credentials and employer partnerships

Norfolk Public Schools presented its Perkins V Career and Technical Education (CTE) annual plan proposal for school year 2025'26, outlining priorities to expand industry-recognized credentials, work-based learning and dual-enrollment pathways.

CTE director Ms. Goshen told the board the Perkins plan prioritizes rigorous instruction, sequence pathways and work-based learning aligned to high-skill, high-wage career clusters. The division said it is shifting toward offering full industry credentials (rather than lower-level student assessments) where possible and retraining teachers to prepare students for those higher-level credentials.

Goshen listed existing and planned offerings including aviation and aerospace (newly opened), registered apprenticeships in trades, expanded computer science across K'12 (supported by recent grants), and a grow-your-own teacher/paraprofessional pathway tied to local community college partnerships. The plan also preserves supports for student organizations (HOSA, FCCLA, Educators Rising) and work-based learning models ranging from job shadows to internships and clinical experiences. Goshen said many students go on to college, the workforce or military service and that the division surveys completers to track outcomes.

Board members asked about credential pass rates and testing pools. Goshen said credential numbers fluctuated after the pandemic because of changing testing windows, age requirements for some licenses and a temporary testing backlog. The division's pass rate typically averages about 70 percent depending on credential and student cohort; Goshen noted the district's 95 percent figure refers to completers who have had multiple years to earn credentials by graduation.

On partnerships and employer connections, Goshen described ongoing relationships with Sentara, Virginia ship-repair employers, local shipyards and regional community colleges; the division also runs a "Hire Our Grads" program and industry days where employers interview and sometimes hire students. Board members asked for data on how many graduates secure employment; Goshen said the division can provide recent post-graduation placement figures based on federally required follow-up surveys of completers.

Goshen told the board Perkins funds will mainly support equipment, technology and targeted stipends or extended support for work-based learning coordination, and that the division is pursuing national accreditation for some CTE programs and aligning dual enrollment and credentials so students can earn meaningful postsecondary credit.

Board members asked for continued reporting on credential pass rates, employer placement data, and how CTE pathways map to board goals on college, career and civic readiness. Goshen said the plan is intended to ensure students leave high school with marketable skills and that additional details and the full plan will be available for board review and vote at the business meeting.