Crosby ISD outlines career and technical education offerings and certifications

District staff presented an overview of Crosby ISD's career and technical education (CTE) programs during the April 21 board meeting, describing the pathways, certifications and experiential learning opportunities available to students.

A presenter said the district currently offers 10 CTE pathways with industry-based certifications aligned to each pathway; those certifications enable students to earn one of three endorsements — business and industry, public service or STEM. Staff said programs include business, digital communications, culinary arts, health sciences and agricultural pathways, among others.

Examples cited included ServSafe certification for culinary students, NCCER for agricultural coursework and EKG, patient-care technician and phlebotomy certifications in the health-science pathway. The district also pointed to student leadership organizations (Career and Technical Student Organizations), work-based learning, advisory committees, college-credit opportunities and apprenticeship pathways.

Staff said the high school has 15 CTE teachers and the middle school has 10, and that each pathway targets high-wage, high-skill or high-demand fields. Trustees asked about cosmetology and animal-science programming; presenters said cosmetology instruction is not offered at the high school but juniors meeting criteria may attend San Jacinto College for cosmetology, and that animal-science programming is limited during current construction until adequate outdoor space is available.

The presentation was informational and no board action was recorded.