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CTE director cites high graduation rates, Snow Technical Skills partnership and credential gains
Summary
CTE Director Ross Short told the board the district's CTE concentrators (about 215 students) had a 92% on-time graduation rate for the class of 2024, described partnerships (Snow Technical Skills Center seats), and reported increased industry credentials (food-worker cards, OSHA‑10, carpenters certificates) and growing work-based learning placements.
CTE Director Ross Short presented an overview of career and technical education during the June 3 board meeting, emphasizing two district priorities: give students early exploration opportunities and ensure applied, work‑ready skills.
Short explained state and federal definitions used in CTE reporting — a "CT completer" (two credits in an OSPI program area) and a federal "concentrator" (two credits in a narrower career cluster). He said the district has roughly 260–270 completers and about 215 concentrators; of those concentrators in the class of 2024, 92% graduated on time in four years.
Short highlighted the district's partnership with the Snow Technical Skills Center: this year 18 students from Stan High and one from Lincoln Hill attended programs there. He said the district has 50 available slots next year and reported about 42 students registered so far.
On credentials, Short said the district has integrated industry‑recognized credentials into high‑school coursework. Examples given included about 115 students earning food‑worker cards, roughly 62 completing OSHA‑10 certifications, and carpentry pathway certificates that can lead to preferred entry into regional apprenticeship programs. He reported 54% of 2024 concentrators walked out with at least one certificate and noted the district pays for many of those tests to support employment readiness.
Short also described work‑based learning expansion: 64% of last year's class met at least one OPI work‑based learning indicator; midyear the district hired a school‑to‑work coordinator (Diane Beasy), who helped set up internships, job shadows and completed nearly 300 high‑school-and‑beyond plans.
Short framed next steps as continuing program reviews, expanding internship models and strengthening employer connections to grow credential attainment and work‑based placements.
Quote: "Of the 215 students that had met that concentrator requirement, 92% of them graduated on time in four years," Short told the board.
