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District highlights Career Technical Education programs and IVROP partnership
Summary
District CTE coordinator and IVROP representatives told trustees about program growth, industry partnerships and early college credit offerings; staff reported counts of pathways, certifications and work-based learning activities.
District staff used the March 11 board meeting to summarize Career Technical Education (CTE) programs and regional partnerships that provide workplace experiences, early college credit and industry certifications for Central Union High School District students.
CTE coordinator Liz Cardenas presented the district’s program inventory and outcomes. She told trustees the district offers 11 of the state’s 15 industry sectors, 24 of 58 possible pathways, and 33 CTE courses that can help students meet University of California and California State University a–g requirements. The district also runs seven articulation courses for early college credit and one dual enrollment pathway in automotive technology through Imperial Valley College.
Chantal Gerardo, educational service program manager at the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program (IVROP), described IVROP’s services under a memorandum of agreement with the district. She said IVROP has delivered about 7,000 duplicated services across district programs (4,871 of those under the MOA) and has reached 2,517 individual students with supports ranging from career exploration and leadership training to resume building and interview preparation.
Key numbers presented by staff - District offers 11 industry sectors, 24 pathways and 33 CTE courses ( district presentation ). - Seven courses provide early college credit via articulation agreements; one dual enrollment pathway offered (automotive). - First-semester work-based learning activity count: 1,658 awareness activities (staff indicated training and internship categories are a work-in-progress). - Industry-recognized certifications awarded to 62 students in first semester. - IVROP reported 7,000 total services delivered (duplicated count) and 2,517 individual students served across the district through December (duplicated services noted in presentation).
Staff also described advisory committees, industry partner engagement and regional events (agriculture field day, barber/welding competitions and a CTE showcase). Cardenas said the district is tracking work-based learning activity types and aims to expand internships and apprenticeships in future years. IVROP staff noted upcoming events (for example, a Barber Battle and culinary competitions) and said partners toured CTE pathways on campus during a recent industry visit.
Why it matters: District leaders framed CTE as a pathway to both college and career, citing performance metrics used in the state’s school accountability “dashboard.” About 60% of students classified as “prepared” on the college–career measure were identified through CTE pathways, staff said.
Next steps and funding: Staff said they will continue to align curriculum with industry needs through advisory committees, seek additional industry partners and pursue available grants. Presenters identified multiple funding sources for CTE programs, including local, state and federal grants and consortia funding through ICOE (Imperial County Office of Education).
Ending: Trustees thanked presenters and asked follow-up questions about internship expansion, industry partners and how CTE contributes to the district’s college–career readiness measures.
