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Arlington School District highlights expanded school‑to‑work and CTE placements; paperwork remains a barrier to participation
Summary
District staff reported 16 businesses offered 29 potential summer internships; 41 students expressed interest, 18 completed internships; staff said extensive paperwork and site‑visit requirements limit participation.
District staff told the board that Arlington’s career and technical education (CTE) and school‑to‑work programs expanded outreach last year and produced tangible student outcomes, but staff also said administrative requirements remain a barrier to scaling paid work‑based placements.
Lisa Rodino, Arlington High School’s school‑to‑work coordinator, said she and Director of College and Career Readiness Brian Long focused last year on bringing guest speakers, workplace tours, job shadows, mock interviews and pre‑apprenticeship information into classrooms. Rodino said those activities led to 20 guest speakers, 36 presentations and a broader range of employer partners, including cases where students moved from awareness activities into paid programs.
On summer internships, Rodino said 16 businesses listed 29 possible internships; 41 students applied or expressed interest, of whom 18 completed summer internships. She noted that some employers scaled back expectations and several students did not complete the application steps; nine students initially inquired but only two completed the process in one year, a reflection of the program’s paperwork burden.
Rodino told the board a single worksite‑learning placement requires substantial documentation — she said about 16 pages of forms including parent, student and employer signatures plus a required site visit and safety review. She said the district completes much of the paperwork for students but that site‑visit timing and parental engagement can cause students to drop out of the application process. Rodino recommended continued outreach to employers and simpler communications to help students follow through.
Rodino highlighted examples of successful pathways: a student who attended a healthcare careers panel applied to and completed a medical‑assisting program at Skagit Regional Health and is now employed there; another student secured a GIS internship with the City of Arlington and began a wetlands research project. Rodino said the district also organizes trips to local colleges and training centers and partners with apprenticeship intermediaries such as AJAC for aerospace pathways.
Board members praised the placements and asked how the district could increase employer engagement and reduce paperwork friction. Rodino proposed better digital forms and targeted visits for small cohorts (10–15 students) to deepen pathway exposure.
Ending
Staff said CTE expansion is an ongoing priority; the board encouraged continued employer outreach, more focused field trips and steps to simplify the application and onboarding process so more students can convert interest into paid learning placements.
