Secretary of Education Susan Bunting today announced more than $458,000 in federal grants to expand high school career pathway programs and to support all youth in their pursuit of college and career-readiness coursework. The statewide Delaware Pathways initiative aims to prepare all students to excel in key industries that offer good jobs in today’s economy.

Grant funds are used by school districts and charter schools to implement career and technical education programs as part of a larger state effort to connect our public education system, post-secondary institutions, and employers. Students take hundreds of hours of specialized instruction and hands-on training in their career pathways, giving them the opportunity to graduate high school with work experiences, college credits, and industry credentials that are relevant to those industries.  As a result, students receive a head start on getting a job and earning a postsecondary credential or degree.

Bunting joined Capital Superintendent Dan Shelton to meet with students and administrators at Dover High School to announce the 51 grant awards, which benefit 17 school districts or charter schools across the state.  Capital’s Dover High School is using its grant award to support the PIPEline to Career Success Project for students with disabilities.  The project supports students with disabilities to enter into high-quality career pathways, graduate from high school, and transition into postsecondary education and employment.

“Dover High School’s program is a prime example of the kind of investments we must make so every student graduates from our schools prepared for success,” Bunting said. “Delaware has public and private partners working together. They are collaborating on the alignment of supports across state agencies for students from low-income families and students with disabilities and on integrating community-based organizations so that out-of-school learning connects to students’ education and career interests.”

The Delaware Pathways program currently serves more than 16,000 students enrolled in 26 career pathways programs across 16 comprehensive school districts, three technical school districts, and 11 charter schools, in addition to serving youth at Cleveland White and the Ferris School.

By 2020 Delaware aims to enroll more than 20,000 students—half of the state’s public grade 9-12 population—in career pathways that lead to in-demand jobs—and will work across secondary and postsecondary education systems so that more than 7,500 students are actively engaged in work-based learning placements in partnership with Delaware employers.

“Delaware’s Pathways programs help connect young Delawareans to skills that are demanded in today’s workforce and help put them on a path to a well-paying career,” Governor John Carney said. “Investing in our workforce and quality skills training also helps strengthen our economy over the long run by making sure Delaware has skilled workers for jobs that are available. This new funding will help us continue and expand that important work.”

Added, U.S. Senator Tom Carper: “Today, thousands of jobs are going unfilled because we do not have the people with the right skills to support them. The Delaware Pathways program aims to end that shortage by finding the skills that our employers need and creating programs in our classrooms that properly prepare students for the workforce. I always say the best thing you can do for someone is help them find a job, and providing modern training and connecting students with employers is a smart way to ensure they will be employable when they enter the workforce.”

Pathways are developed in partnership with Delaware employers and institutions of higher education. The Department of Education provides curriculum support for each pathway as well as training for teachers to successfully implement the coursework. In addition, the department is working with Delaware colleges and universities so students who complete these programs are eligible for college credit at one or more institutions of higher education in the state.

School districts use funding in a variety of ways, which includes support for students and staff, the development of services and materials required to offer advanced coursework, and to scale hands-on training opportunities with Delaware employers.

“We are so pleased that we will once again be able to expand and focus on our workforce development efforts,” Capital Superintendent Shelton said. “Our career and technical programs are a central key to our students being prepared for college or entering the workforce after high school. Having students who graduate high school already possessing technical certifications and many also having already earned college credits through our articulation agreements with post-secondary institutions, gives our students the skill they need and a leg up on their future careers.”

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New Pathway Grant Awards

Appoquinimink

Appoquinimink LEA – PIPEline to Career Success Project

Appoquinimink LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

Appoquinimink High School – Computer Science

Middletown High School – Computer Science

Middletown High School – Natural Resource Management

Odessa High School – Animal Science and Management

Odessa High School – Computer Science

Odessa High School – Digital Comm. Technology

Odessa High School – Natural Resource Management.

Odessa High School – Plant Science

Brandywine  

Brandywine LEA – National Alliance for Partners in Equity—Gender Equity Project

Brandywine LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

Brandywine High School – Marketing Today

Concord High School – Marketing Today

Mount Pleasant High School – Digital Communications Technology

Mount Pleasant High School – Marketing Today

Caesar Rodney         

Caesar Rodney High School – Marketing Today

Cape Henlopen

Cape Henlopen High School – Fashion and Apparel

Capital           

Capital LEA – PIPEline to Career Success Project

Christina

Christiana High School – Animal Science and Management.

Christiana High School – Fashion and Apparel

Christiana High School – Marketing Today

Colonial         

Colonial LEA – PIPEline to Career Success Project

Colonial LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

William Penn High School – Animal Science and Management

William Penn High School – Digital Comm. Technology

William Penn High School – Marketing Today

Lake Forest   

Lake Forest High School – Animal Science and Management

Lake Forest High School – Digital Communications Technology

Laurel

Laurel LEA – PIPEline to Career Success Project

Milford          

Milford LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

Milford High School – Digital Communications Technology

Milford High School – Plant Science

New Castle County Vocational Technology          

Delcastle High School – Computer Science

St. Georges High School – Computer Science

Newark Charter

Newark Charter School – Marketing Today

Red Clay       

Red Clay LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

AI Dupont High School – Marketing Today

Smyrna          

Smyrna LEA – PIPEline to Career Success Project

Smyrna LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

Smyrna High School – Culinary and Hospitality Management

Smyrna High School – Digital Communications Technology

Smyrna High School – Marketing Today

Sussex Tech  

Sussex Tech LEA – Work-Based Learning Opportunities for Youth

Woodbridge

Woodbridge High School – Plant Science

New and Expanded Pathways

Animal Science & Management

The Animal Science & Management program explores:  animal production and management, physical restraint and handling, conducting health exams, evaluation of behavior, principles of genetics and reproduction, animal selection through evaluation, anatomy and physiology, animal nutrition, basic veterinary practices, global food systems, ethics of food animal production, and current agricultural issues in order to foster an understanding of the steps involved in producing and marketing products for consumers. Students practice decision-making and research skills through classroom instruction, laboratory activities, and practical experiences.

Computer Science

The Computer Science program of study helps students to develop analytical thinking and problem solving skills as well as algebraic reasoning and quantitate analysis necessary for careers in computer science, programming, and IT.

Digital Communications Technology

The Digital Communication Technology (DCT) program of study requires students to apply the skills and tools of digital designers used in graphic design, pixel-based imagery manipulation, HTML coding, digital video production, vector image manipulation, digital illustration, and digital publishing.  Students utilize strategies to solve open-ended problems while learning how to apply technical skills, creative skills, industry knowledge, documentation techniques, and processes using modern, industry-leading technology and software.

Fashion & Apparel

The Fashion & Apparel program of study prepares students for entry level employment in the industry.  Students learn construction skills for application in design including color, proportion and fit.  Science principles are used to help students understand fibers to better determine appropriate application.  Fashion business including the economic impact of the industry as well as marketing and management are studied.  The program prepares students for careers such as store manager, fashion designer, assistant buyer, visual merchandiser.

Marketing Today

The Marketing Today program of study engages students with the world of marketing services by focusing on how marketing is evolving in the digital age and how companies can be successful by implementing marketing strategies. Students gain career and industry knowledge through series of work-based learning activities in and out of the classroom such as: an internship, apprenticeship, co-op, and or project completion of at least 60 hours. Marketing Today courses introduce students to a wide array of careers such as data analytics, project and content management, digital marketing, marketing campaign management, demographic analytics, and communications.

Natural Resource Management

The Natural Resource Management program of study is designed to provide students with exposure to topics in conservation management and maintenance of natural resources. Students learn responsible stewardship practices of air, soil, water, land, fish, and wildlife resources for economic, recreation, and health purposes. Students utilize a variety of classroom and laboratory activities supplemented through supervised agricultural experiences and leadership programs and activities.

Plant Science

The Plant Science program of study is designed to provide students with knowledge of plant growth and reproduction, as well as the use of plants for food, fiber, and ornamental purposes. The program prepares students for a variety of careers in:  agronomy, ornamental horticulture, biotechnology, forestry, soil science, and turf management.

Media contact: Alison May, alison.may@doe.k12.de.us, 302-735-4006

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