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Berkshire Business Journal
January 2024
Expanding seats for CTE is good for state percent and a reading proficiency level of 54 nical high schools, once percent compared to the considered second-tier alstatewide average of 57 ternatives for underperpercent. forming students, have A key factor driving become the superstars of the performance of voc- the Massachusetts public tech schools in Massaeducation system. Patricia chusetts is that these In the Berkshires, Begrowicz institutions are schools we have the Charles The View of choice. Students H. McCann Vocational from AIM must choose to enroll in Technical School in them, rather than being North Adams which has residentially assigned, been providing quality and they choose their content technical career training for 35 track within the school. This years and currently serves over gives students more ownership 500 students. In January 2023, over their education, which the Pittsfield School Commithelps them stay motivated. tee approved a plan to convert Vocational schools have Taconic High School to a Career become so ascendant throughand Technical Education (CTE) out the state that there are not program, with the goal of havenough spots for all the students ing a fully vocational student who wish to attend. The Massabody, a total of 925 seats, by the chusetts Department of Educafall of 2026. tion reports that there are 1.75 Student performance at applications for every open seat Massachusetts high schools at a voc-tech. Some 18,500 rising dedicated to CTE has improved ninth graders applied for 10,616 during the past several decades available seats in the state’s to levels that equal, and in some vocational schools during the cases surpass, traditional high 2020-2021 academic year. schools. For example, Massa“There’s a huge demand for chusetts’ voc-tech schools, have vocational-technical education,” a graduation rate of 96 percent, says Steve Sharek, Executive compared to 91 percent for all Director of the Massachusetts Massachusetts high schools. Association of Vocational Standardized test results also Administrators. “The problem show that the historical gap in is this: There simply are not performance between voc-tech enough seats.” schools and traditional high The push to gain admission to schools is closing. Voc-tech vocational schools has become schools have an average math so intense that an advocacy proficiency score of 39 percent group has filed suit challenging versus the overall average of 44
LEE — Vocational-tech-
FILE PHOTO
The Charles H. McCann Vocational Technical School in North Adams has been providing quality technical career training for 35 years and currently serves over 500 students. the strict admissions criteria used by most voc-tech schools. A federal civil rights complaint filed last February claims that the state’s vocational-technical schools use admissions criteria that inappropriately exclude students of color and those who are learning English, have disabilities or come from low-income families. The complaint asks federal officials to investigate practices at the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and prohibit the use of “exclusionary” admissions criteria like grades, attendance records and interviews. Instead, students and advocates say these schools should use a lottery system when they have more interested students than available seats. Why the increased demand
from students for CTE Programs? The hands-on learning approach is attractive to students. Students in voc-tech schools alternate weeks between academics and shop work, and they get to learn by doing. This hands-on learning approach includes studying physics while working on hydraulic brakes or using the Pythagorean theorem to frame a house. Some students are even able to secure internships or apprenticeships with local companies, giving them a chance to learn a trade or skill on the front line. Another driver is the recognition that a CTE program can provide a solid pathway to college. Research at Florida State University and Vanderbilt University found that students who studied fields such as health
care and information technology in technical schools attended college at higher rates than students from traditional high schools, and earned more money seven years after graduation. Approximately two-thirds of voctech graduates continue to some type of post-secondary education, including apprenticeships, associate degree programs, or studies at a four-year college. But this can also be a source of frustration for businesses who rely on CTE Program graduates to fill positions that don’t require a college degree. I have heard from business colleagues who bemoan the fact that the seats at some voc-tech schools in the eastern part of the state are being filled by college-bound students with no intention of entering the trades or technical careers desperately needed by their companies. With the demand from students for career technical education and a state economy desperate for workers with the type of manufacturing, construction and technical skills taught in vocational technical schools, the solution is to expand the number of CTE seats available in the commonwealth. This would be a win for students and businesses. Patricia Begrowicz, the president of Onyx Specialty Papers in Lee, is chair of the board of Associated Industries of Massachusetts.
Rebuilding community with kindness following COVID-19 LEE — In the aftermath of standing for something greatCOVID-19 our communities face er. This ethos not only attracts a unique challenge. customers who share our values As we navigate this new norbut also gives our team a sense of mal, the core values of kindness pride and purpose. and community, which once Our experience shows that bound us, seem to have dimincommunity-based initiatives ished. This presents an opportuare incredibly effective. Hosting Meg Sanders nity for business leaders, like us events like the 65 we organized Cannabis at Canna Provisions, to step up this year at the Locker Room Corner and make a difference. Sports Pub in Lee isn’t just about At Canna Provisions, we’ve publicity. These events allow us long believed in the power of community to connect with the community genuineengagement. Our involvement with local ly, earning their gratitude and loyalty. It’s chambers of commerce (of which the a win-win: the community benefits from Lee Chamber voted us Corporate Citizen our initiatives, and our business thrives of the Year in 2023) and community through this deeper local connection. groups, like the Lions and Rotary and Embedding a cause-based philosophy Kiwanis, isn’t just about networking; it’s in our business model does more than about fostering a sense of belonging and just attract customers; it builds a strong, rebuilding the communal fabric torn by values-driven company culture. Our the pandemic. We’re also excited about team members are encouraged to engage joining Rotary, amplifying our commitin community service and support causment to community service. es they believe in. This approach not only Today’s consumers are increasingenhances our business’s social footprint ly conscious about where they spend but also fosters a more engaged and motitheir money. They prefer supporting vated workforce. businesses that align with their valAs we emerge from the pandemic, ues. This shift isn’t just a trend; it’s a there’s a collective sense of a ‘COVID reflection of a deeper societal change. hangover’ — a lingering absence of the By aligning our business practices with warmth and empathy that characterized these evolving consumer preferences, our pre-pandemic world. As business we not only stand out in a competitive leaders, we have the power and responmarket but also foster a stronger consibility to address this void. Whether it’s nection with our customers. through supporting national organizaAn authentic narrative is more than tions, volunteering at local charities, or a marketing strategy; it’s about sharing creating our own community events, our ‘why.’ At Canna Provisions, our there are myriad ways to rekindle the story isn’t just about selling cannabis; spirit of kindness and community. it’s about creating positive impacts and Giving back to the community isn’t
JENNIFER FOSTER — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
A New York City police officer presenting boots to a barefoot homeless man in Times Square, in this file photo. Acts of kindness that benefit the community are needed in the Berkshires as the economy continues to rebound from COVID-19, columnist Meg Sanders writes. just about altruism; it’s a strategic business decision. Around 75 percent of companies recognize the importance of community engagement. But it’s not enough to just give; involvement needs to be genuine and integrated into the business ethos. This approach not only sets you apart from the competition but also draws people to your business, creating a cycle of goodwill and success. As business leaders, we’re at a pivotal moment. We can choose to lead with
kindness and community engagement, setting an example for others to follow. By doing so, we’re not just rebuilding what was lost during the pandemic; we’re creating a more connected, empathetic, and thriving business environment. Let’s not just aim for recovery; let’s strive for a renaissance of community spirit and mutual support. Meg Sanders is the CEO and co-founder of Canna Provisions in Lee.
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