Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Career And Technical Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newburyport school committee hears expansion of career pathways, grants to support certifications and equipment
Summary
The committee heard a report from Principal Wolfe and Pathways Coordinator Dr. Hobbs on expanding innovation career pathways, new employer partnerships and several grants totaling tens of thousands of dollars to support curriculum, certifications and equipment.
The Newburyport School Committee on May 19 heard an update on the district's Innovation Career Pathways program and plans to expand technical and health-care training at the high school.
Dr. Hobbs, the district's pathways coordinator, told the committee the program is designed to give students career exploration and hands-on work-based learning, with the goal of making students "college and career ready." He said the program has grown from three students at the start of the school year to 28 currently and will add two new pathways next year: advanced manufacturing and health care and social assistance.
The pathways expansion includes new local partnerships. Dr. Hobbs cited collaborations with UFP Technologies and Atria at Merrimack Place for hands-on placement opportunities and described advisory-board engagement with industry and workforce groups. He said curriculum adjustments will align courses with partner needs and that the district plans to add certifications and advanced coursework, including expanded biotechnology and a Project Lead The Way course, Principles of Biomedical Science.
Dr. Hobbs outlined the grant funding that has supported the program: an initial Innovation Career Pathways (ICP) grant of $75,000, a $15,000 planning grant for the two new pathways, a $35,000 grant this year tied to pathway adoption, and anticipated ICP designation funding of $50,000 per year for the next four years. He also said adoption of the Project Lead The Way course carries a grant that covers adoption costs (about $14,000) for the next few years. The district has used funds to buy equipment, pay certification and course fees for students, provide tutoring and interventions, and support transportation to internships and field trips.
Committee members asked whether internships would be paid; Dr. Hobbs said internships "can be paid or unpaid" and that some employers do pay when able. He also clarified pathway course requirements: students must take two technical courses and two advanced courses but can complete a pathway without taking AP classes. Members encouraged outreach to bilingual students for the health-care pathway and suggested exploring whether grant funds could pay some student internships for those who need paid work.
The administration said the district will pursue additional capital-equipment grants and Chapter 74 funding opportunities to support retrofitting space and purchasing equipment. The district plans a phased rollout to align coursework, certifications and employer partnerships.
