Gresham-Barlow outlines CTE pathways, eyes new fine-arts program at Springwater Trail
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Summary
District staff presented an update on career-technical education (CTE) pathways, saying the district operates 17 CTE programs and is applying to create a fine-arts CTE program at Springwater Trail High School; transportation, staffing and funding were cited as constraints.
District staff presented a multi-stage post-secondary pathways framework and an update on career and technical education (CTE) on April 2, describing current programs, measurable outcomes and steps the district is taking to expand opportunities.
Why it matters: The district said CTE participation correlates with higher graduation rates, and officials described how the district is using dual-credit partnerships and industry-recognized credentials to create tangible post-secondary pathways for students.
Diane Santos, who presented the update, summarized the program inventory and goals: the district currently runs 17 CTE programs of study across its high schools and is in the process of applying to the Oregon Department of Education to create a fine-arts CTE program at Springwater Trail High School. "We currently have 4 of 6 career clusters represented in CTE programs of study, with the 2 exceptions being public services and natural resources," she said, and outlined a four-stage career-connected learning model (awareness, exploration, preparation, planning).
Board members asked about enrollment caps, cross-school transfers, and how the district supports students who are most distant from resources. Santos said program capacity is driven by staffing levels, classroom and safety requirements for equipment-based classes, and master-schedule constraints; some introductory courses have more flexible seating while advanced classes require smaller cohorts for supervision. On cross-campus participation, Santos said transportation and scheduling currently limit students’ ability to take classes at multiple high schools without requesting a transfer.
The presentation also cited outcomes: district staff said a CTE participant who completes three or more CTE credits is counted as a CTE completer, which the presentation associated with higher graduation rates and opportunities to earn industry credentials and pre-apprenticeship experience.
Next steps: The district will pursue the ODE application process for new programs, continue outreach with industry partners, and focus marketing and recruitment to boost enrollment in CTE tracks for focal student groups.
