Half of the workspaces are empty at Montgomery County’s Thomas Edison High School for vocational education.
The school’s overall enrollment has fallen to 524 students this year for its half-day program, down from 746 in 2006-07. And while the public school system projects nearly 700 students next year enrolled in programs from car repair to cosmetology, it could hold 1,000.
“Why is it that we have this fabulous resource operating at half of its capacity?” County Councilwoman Valerie Ervin said at a Monday meeting of the council’s education committee.
The three-member committee voiced concerns that the students who could benefit most from a vocational setting are often the ones least likely to attend Edison because they are struggling to meet the district’s rigorous “college-ready” graduation requirements. In other words, students who need to repeat classes because of a failing grade don’t have time in their schedules to attend Edison for part of the day.
But from the district’s perspective, a changing workplace necessitates more robust academic pursuits than the vo-tech programs of yesteryear can provide, even as career training remains essential.
“Is there an internal conflict? Certainly,” said Kent Weaver, supervisor of the schools’ counseling services. As soon as you add a math or reading support class, “that’s one less period for something else.”
But “college-readiness is career-readiness,” said Erick Lang, associate superintendent for curriculum and instructional programs, citing the mantra that has led to significant changes in how the district treats life beyond high school.
For that reason, career pathway tracks have been expanded at the county’s high schools. Students who previously may have considered Edison are encouraged to consider a four-year class sequence in topics such as business management and finance, or environmental resources. While not targeted exclusively at top students, the programs often include college-preparatory coursework.
In the past year, 25 schools offered 208 “Career Pathway Programs,” up from 23 high schools and 157 total programs in 2003-04.
And while 11 percent of seniors will graduate this spring having completed one of the programs, the district aims for 30 percent of graduates by 2014.
Council members applauded the district’s recent efforts but remained worried about dwindling options for the lowest academic performers.
“Students at the highest risk of dropping out might not be reached early enough to help,” said Council President Phil Andrews.
