Laredo ISD outlines expansion of student internships, reports 167 participants and new community partnerships

District staff presented an overview of student internships and work-based learning at the Nov. 6 Business & Support Committee meeting, describing how internships fit into the level‑4 career practicum of programs of study and how they support CCMR goals.

Staff said internships focus primarily on 11th- and 12th-grade students and noted that many placements begin in the spring after required preparatory coursework and mock-interview training. "Today, we actually had a meeting with the city of Laredo with our engineers ... they were actually gonna be emailing us very soon an MOU," a staff presenter said, referring to a proposed partnership for a tiny-homes project that could provide hands-on experience for construction-management students.

Staff reported that roughly 167 students are currently participating in internship or practicum activities and that the district will begin field pre-meetings with community partners in December to set expectations, followed by placements beginning in February. Staff said they are also developing partnerships with Laredo Medical Center and other local employers and that they will seek grant funding to support summer intern pay.

Trustees asked staff to provide disaggregated counts (including how many gifted and talented and special-education students participate) and to consider having interns present short reports to the board. Staff agreed to return with more detailed breakdowns and to explore options for student presentations showcasing applied work in facilities, culinary, HVAC and construction.