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CTE director details program growth, eighth-grade showcase and new construction projects
Summary
CTE director Tiani Young told the Rogers board the district now offers 29 state career pathways, expanded high-demand programs such as welding, and hosted an eighth-grade showcase and industry trade days; construction instructor Annie McClain described a student-built 288-square-foot tiny house project.
Tiani (Tiani/Tianna) Young, the district's Career and Technical Education director, told the Rogers School District Board of Education on Feb. 20 that the district offers 29 of the state's 63 programs of study and 13 programs currently classified as high-demand, high-wage. Staff said 16 programs in Rogers now meet the state's H2 designation.
Young described a December-into-January eighth-grade showcase that brought every student pathway to middle-school students so they could tour career programs at the high schools and the career center. "We brought all four middle schools on different days to our high schools," Young said, adding that the district used CTSO leaders and teacher teams to provide tours.
Young said the district recently added welding instruction and described industry partnerships and competitions that give students certifications and networking opportunities. She highlighted student awards in DECA and Microsoft Office Specialist exams and said CTE is working with advisory boards to align programs to industry standards.
The board heard from construction teacher Annie McClain, who described a student-built, 288-square-foot tiny house the class is constructing as a hands-on project. "The students are actually doing everything that you would need to do to build a house with the exception of the foundation," McClain said. She described the project's fit for classroom learning: siding that is forgiving for student practice, custom-built cabinets and multiple trade skills taught in the project.
Why it matters: CTE programming prepares students for both postsecondary education and immediate entry into the workforce. Young said the district's programming, industry certifications and events like the eighth-grade showcase are intended to attract students and make Rogers a regional choice for career-focused learning.
Board response: Board members praised the CTE team and asked about shop expansion and welding-capacity needs; staff said they planned targeted shop upgrades and added equipment as enrollment and pathway offerings grow.
