Chicago Public Schools is revamping its career programs to better prepare students to get jobs in an emerging workforce that will be replete with "middle-skill" occupations, Mayor Richard Daley announced today.I heard there were some media trucks outside of Harlan this morning as well. So hopefully I can find some video out there. I can only wonder why the mayor chose Harlan to make this announcement.
Under the restructuring, career and technological programs will be consolidated into fewer high schools, where the levels of training will be ramped up. Students also will be able to apply to take part in career programs of their choice, even if they are not offered in their own neighborhoods, Daley said.
"In today's economy, it is essential that we graduate students with the skills they need to go directly into a good job and a long-term career," Daley said, speaking to students at Harlan Community Academy on the South Side.
He cited a recent study by the Workforce Alliance that concluded 45 percent of jobs by 2014 will be in so-called middle-skill occupations.
CPS currently offers 250 career and technical programs at 250 schools. During the next five years or so, they will be consolidated to 80 programs at 35 "college and career academies," said Ron Huberman, the system's chief executive officer.
"What you have is a much greater focus, both on the training of the teachers, the industry certification so that students leave with certificates that allow them to apply for competitive jobs," Huberman said.
UPDATE 6:31 PM Daley made his comments on the parking meter lease. Video courtesy of NBC Chicago! This was also at Harlan today.
UPDATE 6:58 PM CBS2 Video about the parking meters with footage from Harlan. It looks like he was in the library this morning. Click the pic to view video, and click here to read the write-up.
The Press Conference announced a re-structuring of the Career and Technical programs offered by CPS. It was held at Harlan to showcase the newly created pre-Engineering program and announce the creation of another new program for Sept. 2010. 8th graders now have the opportunity to apply for admission to Harlan's Information Technology magnet program. Applications will be accepted through January 20th for all College and Career Academies. In addition to the regular community high school programs, we now have (2) magnet programs for which students are admitted based on test scores, proximity and other criteria.
ReplyDeleteEight (8) years ago, a 7th & 8th grade Academic Center was created at Harlan to provide options for academically talented youth on the South Side. We have worked hard to bring in curriculum that would keep those students in Harlan for their high school careers. The addition of the 2 new Magnet programs enhances those efforts.
During the Mayor's appearance a year ago, we were able to impress upon him the need for curriculum and facility upgrades. As a result we saw the creation of the pre-Engineering program and the infusion of more than 1 million dollars into building repairs and improvements this past summer. This being Ron Huberman's first visit to the school, after we toured the pre-Engineering laboratories, we walked the campus, including the annex. He was impressed with our school, the community and the students. He asked Principal Evans and myself to put together a proposal for the track and field renovations and get it to him soon. We had requested monies from the State for these and other upgrades to Abbott Park but with the failure to fund the Capital Budget, we are exploring other options.
As always Alderman Lyle thank you for your information. I thought it was very unfortunate that the new programs at Harlan was getting less coverage than the continuing controversy regarding the city's parking meters. The videos I had found were about the parking meters. If I had a choice I'd rather hear more about the new programs offered by CPS.
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