The Springfield School Committee approved a new middle-school pathway exploration policy intended to introduce career discovery activities to students earlier in middle school, use data across grades 6–8 and expand exposure to CTE programs.

Superintendent Dr. Dinal said the district will ensure eighth graders complete exploratory activities and that the roadshow outreach will come to middle schools. "This expands upon that by making sure that our students in the eighth grade are completing ... not just starting in eighth grade, but sixth, seventh, and eighth grade using that data and that information through discovery of career exploration activities," he said.

Mister Gonzales moved to approve the policy and Attorney Murphy seconded; the committee approved the motion by roll call.

Staff said the change will increase the number of hands-on opportunities for middle-school students and integrate middle-school programming with high-school CTE options.