OK, the arts school thread is getting pretty long and OT so I decided to start anew here. First off allow me to admit that in doing some cursory research I see that the Tech High does still offer some trades/crafts instruction and IS partnering with the ABC to offer an accelerated apprenticeship program. Good Job!

When comparing Tech & ABC's sites though it is painfully apparent what we are not offering. Worse is that these are trades that WERE part of the curriculum but have been dropped. Things such as HVAC, plumbing and welding. Of course there are other opportunities that could be covered as well.

This matter came (back) to the forefront for me recently while reading about the alleged drop-out rate at Hancock. Supposedly a big portion of those kids were transferring to Tech. The question BOE should be asking (and may well be) is WHY? What makes this school different? Are more kids not planning to go to college and so seeking a HS diploma career? Are more of these kids simply more in tune with their future aspirations? Or are more of these kids prone to blue-collar careers? If we can identify a specific reason for the popularity of Tech with Hancock's students maybe we can use that to motivate more kids of similar circumstances in other districts.

In the end though, while we'd like all our kids to go to college and be immensely successful and wealthy, many will not - go to college that is, even fewer will be immensely successful. If we can offer them something that can provide a good life with their HS diploma or prepare them for something other than a traditional college shouldn't we be doing more to promote that? I'd like to see a study of how many former tech high grads are presently employed in the field they studied and their wages. A comparative study then to assess what fields are in demand and can reasonably be expected to be in 10 - 20 years and the curriculum adjusted to reflect how we can best prepare these kids for a successful life here in our own community.

Who wouldn't be proud to have a kid who's a Broadway or Hollywood star, but then again who wouldn't like to have their kids living nearby as we get old and have them living a comfortable even if not famous life? While I respect those doing it, I wouldn't want my kids to end up in the thankless jobs at the prisons or as cops. And even those jobs now require higher education to advance!

...."I'd like to see a study of how many former tech high grads are presently employed in the field they studied and their wages. A comparative study then to assess what fields are in demand and can reasonably be expected to be in 10 - 20 years and the curriculum adjusted to reflect how we can best prepare these kids for a successful life here in our own community." Aldo


GREAT POINT: Data would be Tech's best marketing tool. Tech is sometimes the brunt of jokes but actually has a wonderful cross section of programs. I would definitely like to have a better idea how many rate their tech education as helpful in securing a related job or being able to pursue further educational options. Then the big question, how many disregard their training & bounce from jobs requiring no training/experience. I would like to understand the contributing factors to such life decisions that will affect their earning potential and future prospects. With the idea we could provide interventions to correct the rate of under-employment or provide support in the job search & placement process for qualified workers.

For the most part kids in Wash Co schools move on to be productive adults. I worry about the ones that graduate without a plan. Sometimes negating the hard work they put in towards graduation. The people who fall between the cracks show up eventually. Leaving High School with a job or plan reduces the risk of going off the tracks.

Bottom line: Tech is a good program. While any school has needs, Tech's are easily addressed. Some focus areas are quite strong while a smaller portion are weak. Those who have kids there know right away where the strengths and needs are. Overall, Tech has a good product. Some students are job ready at graduation, others are able to work a decent paying job while in college. Some find they have a strong foundation for college. Others graduate and choose not to use their training.
Tech does well serving a diverse group, with varying academic, vocational, and economic backgrounds. Tech fills a void. The Arts School would fill another void too. Both need to be assessed & discussed. I do not see an either /or as there are a range of students & life challenges to consider.

Aldo,
From living in that area for a few years I can tell you this. You have to look at the area they grow up in. It`s out and away from bigger city way of life. Example: My dad is a race car driver. that kid grows up knowing nothing but race cars like some in Nascar now. Take the kids from Hancock area there dads work all kind of jobs, Saw mills. mechanics, roofers, plumbers, and so on. That is mostly what the kid has only known in that area. Hands on work force. Not high tech jobs. Only now they have a chance to see the other side of jobs being offered today. Because the school has computers and newer ideas of living. Just my observation of what i`ve seen in the kids of that area and knowing some parents.

That town is so empty that the kids have nothing to do but meet on the street corners. Big problem in that town.

well i think they should keep the arts in all the scools so every one gets a chance to play, more money should have been put in the tech school or build more thats where its at,like i read a lot of kids dont or cant go to college, tech schools are great, my boy is in the 12th now but he works every day this year he is in tech school , he makes good money works every day, learning a good trade , and its something he loves to do, cant wait untill the next day of work,,, that will change hes young yet ha , but tech scools to me is the way to go, i think arts schools is a waist, play on the week ends,

I think they should have both kinds of school. Some kids are not suited to college( what can a university tell someone how to handle a construction job). Some are more suited to working with their hands, others are artists, others are suited to desk ( degrees) jobs. theres some place for eveybody. There has to be people to build, and maintain the buildings. Theres nothing wrong with the job you do. And theres nothing wrong with liking the job you do.

I agree that our Tech HS is good for a bunch of students who would not otherwise recieve training in a job they can make a living at as soon as they graduate. There are alot of young men(and women) I have observed over the years that just want to be done with schooling and start their adult lives.

I would love to see the welding program back at Tech HS and some other programs. After alot of investigation and fluctuating back & forth, my son is now at Tech HS for Pre-Engineering. He is a bright student but loves the fact that he is actually doing something every other day at school besides sitting in a classroom being lectured at....I am pretty secure in the knowledge he will go on to college, but if he doesn't he will still have some aptitude for CAT programs and the like..and some first hand knowledge of how machines really work...

Why we cannot incorporate an ARTS program into an existing school I have no clue. I have read all the reports in the paper and the latest one in the Washington County Magazine thing and mainly have found them all to be puff pieces, designed to encite a rah,rah mentality in the readers...not to disseminate actual concrete information on this project such as real cost per student, where the monies will actually come from in the budget, and what will be cut to allow this project to proceed. The other questions still remain as far as classrooms, cafeterias, parking v. busing and security issues.

As far as life preparatiions, most people know it is nice to learn to play the piano, but it will not be the thing you use as your livelihood...I have the same concerns with the dance/art school. Most dancers/actors end up being waitresses until they just quit and find a real job not in the theatre world.