HEARING RECOMMENDATIONS Recommendations for the School District of Philadelphia 1. SDP should begin teaching students career and technical education classes in ninth grade. A strict block scheduling approach focused only on core subjects for students in ninth grade is not the best approach for students. Ninth grade is an invaluable time for students that must be utilized in the most effective way. Students should be able to enroll in career and technical education programming for four full years, as allowed by our state’s Department of Education. In Philadelphia, CTE schools are treated like traditional high schools, placing the primary focus on academics. Workforce has indicated that the primary skills needed for future jobs will require skilled labor. They are looking for individuals who possess the 21st century skills, like critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, information literacy, media literacy, technology literacy, flexibility, leadership, initiative, productivity, and social skills. Marie Patterson: Transcript pgs. 223-224 Currently, students who may have an interest in a career are not able to explore that path until tenth grade. SDP has the ability to rework the curriculum and create a dynamic and flexibile curriculum for students interested in career and technical education to get the academic skills they need while also allowing them to start training in their preferred field. 2. SDP, Commerce, and Philadelphia Works should have more frequent meetings to ensure that the career and technical education curriculum is aligned with economic indicators. SDP holds an annual official meeting with partners to discuss career and technical education, but that is not enough. As highlighted above, SDP officials understand the need to partner with businesses across Philadelphia to provide more internships and opportunities for Philadelphia students, and more frequent collaboration could help achieve that goal.
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