Real Talk

just completed a phone interview with a woman from WQED radio (pittsburgh public network) she asked if my school would be filling in the void created by the closing of our city's vocational center- Connelly Vo-Tech.
i explained that our accreditation system requires pre-approval of new,deleted or modified curriculum. We can't just up and add to our list of classes.
during an interview it's difficult to remain on task and avoid straying into uncharted waters. i kept focused on the task of "responding to the question you wish you were asked.
I couldn't say whether my school would add courses...we've just started the Horticulture course and it's too soon to tell how that will fare and more to the point, we are about setting-up people to go to work, which is no mean feat at this time.
We need people to champion the case for stronger vocational training at the secondary level and we need to revisit the old-saw that every child is going to succeed in college.

Skills Education & Jobs Training

ARISE FoundationWe are a not-for-profit foundation established in 1986 that provides troubled and underserved youth with, easy-to-understand, interactive, statistically proven life-management lessons.

The John F. Kennedy, Jr. Institute for Worker Education *
Supports the higher education and career advancement of frontline workers in health, education, and human services organizations.

The Intermediary NetworkNational association of leading education and workforce development organizations working locally to ensure student success. Network members provide powerful and meaningful links between schools, communities and workplace partners. Members also serve as the convener of local collaborations of intermediaries in their own communities.