Milan superintendent and CTE staff outline expanded career‑tech programs and student work‑based earnings

District CTE staff presented a broad update to the Milan Special School District Board of Education describing Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, industry credentials, and work‑based learning outcomes.

The CTE presenter listed 12 programs of study at Milan schools, 32 industry‑recognized credentials and 33 dual‑enrollment opportunities through TCAT Jackson and local colleges. Staff said the district has a pathway structure that moves students from career awareness and exploration in middle school into concentrator programs at the high school and leverages advisory council input from employers.

Highlights cited at the board meeting included an industrial maintenance program offering NC3 Snap‑on multimeter certification and fundamentals of electricity, machining technology tied to TCAT credentials, a three‑course STEM progression at middle school, agricultural programs (including a drone certification pathway), health care pathways that include CNA/patient care technician certifications, and a criminal justice program with 9‑1‑1 dispatch and a two‑year national law enforcement certification. Staff said the district convened its advisory council on Feb. 14 and intends yearly meetings to align programs with local employer needs.

Work‑based learning figures were a focus: staff reported 58 students participating this semester, 57 of whom were paid; total student earnings for the academic year were reported at about $478,000, with hourly wages ranging from $7.25 to $15. Staff said about 70% of those students earned more than $10 per hour and 60% reported spending most of their earnings in Gibson County, which staff framed as a local economic benefit.

District staff also reported high performance indicators for CTE concentrators: a ready‑graduate attainment rate around 98.6% for concentrators, and the district’s overall ready‑graduate rate rising from 73.1% two years ago to above 90% in the past two years. Staff noted partnerships with TCAT Jackson, Dyersburg State (dual enrollment for teaching pathway), and local employers for apprenticeship or work placements.

Board members asked questions about alignment with incoming industrial jobs in the Jackson area, and staff said the district is preparing students with credentials that local industries prefer. Staff also previewed public events: a campus open house and planned ‘‘Path and Plan’’ sessions to advise eighth‑grade students and families.