Topeka Public Schools expands CTE at TCALC; launches teacher apprenticeship with Washburn and adds automation pathway

Topeka Public Schools officials presented a broad update on career and technical education Wednesday, saying enrollment and employer engagement at the Topeka Career and Academic Learning Center (TCALC) have increased and outlining a new apprenticeship that pairs high school coursework with Washburn University college credits to shorten the time to an early‑childhood teaching credential.

District administrators said the district added 14 new application-level CTE courses this year, increased partnerships with roughly 15 new business partners, and reported 69 TCALC students currently placed in internships. Officials described 16 distinct career pathways available to students across the district and said many pathways now carry waiting lists.

The district also announced a new automation and industrial manufacturing pathway at TCALC for the coming school year. Officials said the pathway aims to lead to a Certified Production Technician credential and to connect students with local employers including Mars, Berry Plastics and HME; the program received an additional Perkins grant award of $60,000 for equipment, according to the presentation. District leaders said they are coordinating dual‑credit and postsecondary options with Washburn Tech and community partners to provide both certificates and further training opportunities.

Superintendent Dr. Anderson and TCALC staff described expansion of computer science offerings across the high schools using Project Lead The Way curriculum, with Topeka High and Topeka West expected to offer four years of sequenced Project Lead The Way computer science courses next year and Highland Park following within a year. The district said those courses may be eligible for math or science credit when students complete the sequence.

A central component of the report was a planned teacher apprenticeship with Washburn University. District staff said juniors and seniors who choose the pathway would remain at TCALC for their school day, take Washburn associate‑level coursework as dual credit, and be placed part‑time in district classrooms as apprentices. The district said the program is designed so students could graduate from high school with an associate’s degree in early childhood education at no cost to the student; the district and Washburn must finalize apprenticeship employment arrangements and approvals for the program to operate as described.

TCALC staff said other ongoing initiatives include a transition from CNA to Patient Care Technician (PCT) certification in partnership with Stormont Vail, expansion of an animal‑science grooming studio and engagement with a local small‑business pitch competition coordinated with K‑State extension. Staff also described efforts to increase community engagement, to train student tour guides for TCALC visits, and to host younger grade career‑exposure events.

Board members asked about program entry requirements, tracking of postsecondary outcomes, and how college coursework will fit into students’ high school schedules; staff said TCALC enrollment is open to students who can fit the program into their schedules and that the district will use dual‑credit mechanics so college courses also satisfy high‑school graduation requirements. Officials acknowledged challenges in tracking long‑term employment outcomes after graduation but said partners such as Stormont Vail provide employment data for students they hire.

District leaders asked the board to note the handout with sequence details, funding sources and the steps required for implementation; they said some details — including apprenticeship employment terms and regulatory approvals — remain to be finalized.

Board members praised the apprenticeship concept and asked staff to return with implementation data as the pilot proceeds.