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Warren Township HSD 121 expands CTE pathways, adds dual-credit courses and new media offerings
Summary
District teachers described a curriculum realignment to meet state pathway endorsement, expand dual-credit partnerships with College of Lake County and Rochester Institute of Technology, and add new courses (social media production, digital video) and industry-recognized credentials.
District instructional leaders presented a multi-pronged redesign of career and technical education (CTE) pathways at the April 21 board meeting aimed at meeting state pathway-endorsement requirements and improving postsecondary readiness.
Mike Schuman, industrial technology lead teacher, described a two-year realignment built from industry and higher-education input that consolidates courses to make them more "breathable" for students while preserving hands-on learning. Schuman said the redesign includes expanded dual-credit partnerships; the district expects seven College of Lake County dual-credit courses by fall 2026 and is pursuing additional agreements (two RIT courses tied to Project Lead The Way for honors engineering). Schuman also noted skill-based credentialing through the Woodwork Career Alliance and the district’s interest in Adobe certification opportunities for media courses.
"We wanted to make sure it was comprehensive. They were understanding the whole process, the good and the bad of each industry," Schuman said, describing conversations with employers, former students and postsecondary partners.
New offerings highlighted in the realignment include social media production and digital video production courses; social media production was listed as a new course developed from scratch. Schuman said dual-credit alignment, state pathway endorsement work, and creation of multiple entry points into Project Lead The Way were priorities so students can begin exploratory coursework early and still reach technical endorsements if they choose.
Board members praised the process, noting teacher professional development time and stakeholder engagement, and asked for continued follow-up on credential stacking and industry alignment. Administrators said the curriculum changes aim to expand postsecondary opportunities while maintaining hands-on instruction.
Why it matters: The changes create clearer pathways to postsecondary credentials and potential industry employment. Dual-credit expansion and credentials may reduce postsecondary costs for students and strengthen connections to local workforce needs.
Next steps: Finalize dual-credit agreements and credential pathways, expand outreach to local employers for apprenticeships and internship opportunities, and report back to the board on implementation milestones at or before the start of the 2026–27 school year.
