Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Internship Program topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rockport proposes a three-part capstone program of senior internships, job-shadow days and career education
Summary
A teacher-turned-program-coordinator outlined a new 'capstone' model featuring 30-hour senior internships, one-day job-shadow events for juniors and seniors, and expanded career-education work across grades; the plan emphasizes site supervision, student proposals, CORI checks and measures to address transportation and equity.
Eric Bent, the high-school staff member tapped to coordinate a new capstone program, presented the proposal to the Rockport School Committee. The program has three elements: a six-week senior internship (30 hours per week in lieu of classes), one-day job-shadow opportunities for 11th and 12th graders, and a longer-term career-education strand that could be threaded through grades 9–12.
Bent said seniors eligible for internships must be in good academic standing and have required community-service hours; students must submit internship proposals for coordinator review and site-supervisor approval. Internships are planned to begin April 7 (the start of the district’s fourth quarter), with students keeping weekly logs, completing reflections and presenting their work to the community after completion.
Program logistics Bent discussed include making site visits, collecting supervisor evaluations, and performing CORI/background checks for supervisors and host organizations. He acknowledged scheduling constraints such as AP exams, dual enrollment and music commitments and described alternative options (shorter internships, volunteer projects or student-designed capstone projects) for students with heavy course loads.
Equity and transportation Bent raised equity concerns for students without personal connections to employers and cited transportation as a barrier. The proposal includes using Rockport district minibuses when needed and seeking support from guidance, PTO, local foundations and community partners for needs such as bus passes or interview clothing.
Community partnerships and measurement Bent said he has begun outreach to local businesses, the Chamber of Commerce and regional employers; reception to initial outreach has been mixed. He reported a strong student response in preliminary senior surveys (about 92% interest in the small Class of 2025 cohort) and described plans to track site responsiveness and student outcomes as the program grows.
Next steps The committee discussed redeployment of staff for the semester when many seniors are off-campus, possible funding supports, and ways to make the experience equitable. No formal vote was taken; the presentation served as the basis for further planning and budget consideration.
