Oregon invests $9 million for hands-on learning
5:29 p.m. PST January 15, 2016
More than 140 Oregon middle schools and high schools, serving more than 85,000 students, have secured career readiness grants totaling $9 million.
The CTE Revitalization Grant funds will fund programs focused on advanced manufacturing, engineering, agricultural science, app development, robotics, tourism, forestry, home renovation and health care, according to a recent press release.
“A skilled workforce is the foundation of a healthy economy,” Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian said in a prepared statement. “Today’s grants will give more Oregon students access to the hands-on learning and skills training that they need to succeed.”
In total, the 25 grants will leverage additional funds from 277 local business and community partners.
“These programs are good for students, good for businesses, and good for local communities,” Deputy Superintendent Salam Noor said in a prepared statement.
Graduation rates for students in career technical education programs are near 90 percent, according to the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium.
The grants build on earlier investments by the Oregon Legislature in 2011, 2013 and 2014, which total $14 million.
The CTE Revitalization Advisory Committee, which is composed of representatives from organized labor, trade organizations, education and Oregon’s energy and business community, reviewed 73 applications totaling $24.5 million in requests.
The committee prioritized applications based on geographic diversity, community partnerships, and programs that lead to high-wage, high-demand occupations, especially for historically underserved students.
The following schools and districts received grants:
- Baker Technical Institute, Baker School District 5J, Baker Technical Welding Proposal, $330,930.00
- Astoria School District, Clatsop County CTE Center, $305,469.00
- David Douglas School District, Project LAB (Learning Aligned with Business), $390,745.00
- Elgin School District, Fabricating Quality Careers in Agriculture, $378,426.00
- Gaston Junior/Senior High School, Dream, Plan, Build Gaston, $360,478.00
- Harney School District #3, Harney Frontier Schools CTE Revitalization, $368,382.00
- Henley High School, Revitalizing CTE in Klamath County, $390,605.00
- Hillsboro School District, Hillsboro Manufacturing Training and Learning Center, $385,188.00
- La Grande School District, La Grande High School, Real Science Creating Real Industry Skills in CTE, $379,852.00
- Malheur Educational School District, Treasure Valley Tech, $488,432.00
- McMinnville School District, Protective Services Career Pathway Project, $146,796.00
- Heppner High School, Morrow County Welding and Manufacturing Project, $390,745.00
- Pendleton School District, Pendleton Technology and Trade Center, $390,745.00
- Redmond High School, Building the Hub of Entrepreneurship: Innovation and Ideation at Redmond High School, $231,700.00
- Roseburg High School, Roseburg High CTE Revitalization – Skills for the 21st Century, $358,909.00
- Sabin-Schellenberg Professional Technical Center, Equitable Opportunities in Emerging Technology, $323,884.00
- Scio High School, Scio CTE Expansion, $383,052.00
- South Coast Educational School District, South Coast Healthcare Pathway Program, $418,488.00
- Southern Oregon Educational School District, Manufacturing by Design, $488,432.00
- St. Helens School District #502, Renovations and Remodeling, $380,197.00
- Sunset High School, Sunset High School Engineering Pathway, $325,642.00
- Tigard-Tualatin School District, Tigard-Tualatin Manufacturing CTE Program of Study, $385,215.00
- Waldport High School, Lincoln County School District, Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead, $384,735.00
- Willamina School District, College and Career-Ready: CTE Revitalization Grant, $390,745.00
- Yamhill Carlton High School, Yamhill Carlton Career Academy, $222,208.00
This is the first time the Willamina School District has received a competitive grant of such proportion, said district superintendent Carrie Zimbrick.
Zimbrick said the district has had plans for a new building just behind the district’s high school for years.
She said this money will allow the district to build an additional building for two more classrooms, a metal shop, and a wood shop, in addition to highering more staff.
The funding will also help the district furnish the building with high quality equipment and materials the students will need.
“We are beyond excited,” Zimbrick said. “This is a dream come true.”
Zimbrick said the district plans to have all the buildings ready for fall courses this year.
The classes will be available to students in grades 7-12 who are interested in taking elective courses in the program. There will also be an exploratory course for sixth graders.
“This will serve a lot of students,” she said.
npate@StatesmanJournal.com, (503) 399-6745 or follow on Twitter @Nataliempate or http://www.Facebook.com/nataliepatejournalist
Natalie Pate 