Category Archives: Career/technical education (CTE)

College and Career Readiness Month activities continue all month

The Office of Strategy & Innovation has planned a variety of October events for the second annual College & Career Readiness (CCR) Month with the theme “Take Control: Explore. Design. Launch Your Future!”   

CCR Month is a fun and creative way to engage students and introduce students to a variety of college and career options. 

HISD’s College Readiness Department is visiting high schools all month and continuing through Nov. 15 to assist seniors and their parents fill out their applications for financial aid. Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step toward getting many different types of financial aid for school, and finishing the FAFSA early is the best way to maximize college award packages.

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HISD announces CTE partnership with HCC, construction firm to provide students free certifications

As a young boy, Jorge Rubio, a sophomore at HISD’s Austin High School, idolized his father and dreamed of one day following in his footsteps. Now, thanks to a new CTE partnership, Jorge has a chance to live out his dream. 

Jorge, along with 24 other students from Austin and Milby High Schools, participated in a commitment ceremony on Wednesday at HCC’s Southeast Campus for the district’s new dual credit, two-year construction certification program in partnership with MAREK, a specialty construction company. 

“This opportunity means a lot to me and my parents,” Jorge said. “My dad is a construction worker and he is my inspiration.” 

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October is College & Career Readiness Month

The Office of Strategy & Innovation is excited to announce HISD’s second annual College & Career Readiness Month in October. CCR Month is a fun and creative way to engage students and introduce them to a variety of college and career options. This year’s theme is “Take Control: Explore. Design. Launch Your Future!”   

Throughout the month, HISD will be sharing information on a variety of college and career programs and activities for all grades, including the Financial Aid Roadshow, Parent Night at selected HISD high schools (see list here for dates and times), Top-Tier College Night, Parent University, campus college fairs, Project Explore, and more. 

All HISD elementary, middle, and high school campuses will have a chance to compete for prizes (scholarships, college swag, college tours) by completing weekly challenges. Winners will be announced on Nov. 22, 2019. Campuses must complete at least one college and career activity each week, posting pictures and videos on Twitter. Contest details can be found on the College Readiness website at this link. 

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Jones Futures simulated learning clinic helps students explore careers in health care

Pens and medical charts in hand, students from HISD’s Jones Futures Academy listened intently as Alex diligently answered their medical intake questions, each of them nodding as they quickly jotted down notes to determine the best treatment plan for the new patient.  

Alex is not a human patient; he is an interactive mannequin and a valuable teaching tool inside the school’s state-of-the-art simulated learning center, which provides students real-life training in different medical scenarios.  

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HISD sees tremendous growth in CTE certifications

Career and Technical Education (CTE) in HISD is growing, with an increase of over 2,000 student CTE certifications in the 2018-2019 school year. 

Over the last year, students from across the district obtained 2,772 TEA Industry-Recognized Certifications. In comparison, just over 700 students obtained a CTE certification during the 2017-2018 school year.  

“This increase reflects our district’s focus and the intent behind College and Career Readiness for all students,” said Assistant Superintendent for Career Readiness Michael Love. “Industry certifications are just one form of the many college and career resources the district provides students across HISD.” 

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HISD celebrates inaugural CTE and Military Signing Day at Barbara Jordan Career Center

Students graduating from the Houston Independent School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, as well as those headed into the military, celebrated with a first-ever signing day on Thursday.

At the inaugural event, which was held at HISD’s Barbara Jordan Career Center, CTE students announced their career choices in several high-wage, high-skills and high-demand occupations, such as: cosmetology; transportation distribution and logistics; health science; public safety, corrections and security; hospitality; and business management and administration.

“Today we are honoring our students who are entering the workforce, and who have been offered careers beyond graduation, as well those students who have chosen to enlist in the armed forces,” said Director of Career Readiness Juliet Amara. “Today we are excited to recognize those efforts, their hard work and commitment to their career choice.”

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HISD students honored at Marvy Finger Family Scholarship ceremony

Houston Independent School District seniors who hope to pursue career and technical education opportunities after graduation were honored at the annual Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship Ceremony on Wednesday evening.  

At the ceremony, which was held at the Delmar Field House, the 65 scholarship recipients and their families were treated to a dinner and reception attended by members of HISD’s Board of Education, Interim Superintendent Grenita Lathan and the Finger family. 

Since 2013, the Marvy Finger Family Foundation Scholarship has awarded worthy HISD graduates full scholarships covering their two-year degree or certification program in high-demand careers. 

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Summer Student Leadership Program accepting applications for high school students and district alumni

HISD is currently accepting applications for its 2019 Summer Student Leadership Program, a six-week paid summer internship and leadership development program for HISD high school students and alumni currently enrolled in college.

In line with HISD’s mission to provide students with the tools to reach their full potential, the program addresses the need to expose students to fulfilling careers and skills employers demand in a rapidly changing world. Participants will gain valuable employment experience and have the opportunity to test-drive career pathways before choosing a college major or entering the workforce.

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‘When I Grow Up’ career expo to be held March 23

More than 100 exhibitors from local companies will be on hand to help students explore their options in high-demand, high-growth industries at the seventh annual “When I Grow Up Expo.” 

The event will take place from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m., Saturday, March 23 at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 W. 18th Street, 77092). 

Students will have the opportunity to talk with local employers about future careers and compete in various competitions in subjects such as cosmetology, movie making, construction, and culinary skills.  

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Chavez HS FFA student prepares for livestock show season 

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As livestock show season picks up steam, Chavez High School Junior Jewels Hernandez is ready for her first time in the major show ring.

“I am really excited,” she said. “I hope to one day win grand champion at a major show.”

In just her first year with Chavez’s Future Farmers of America (FFA) program, Hernandez has already had considerable success showing her Simbrah heifer, which is something she has long wanted to try.

“Going to the rodeo and seeing other kids raising animals really got me interested,” she said. “Once I found out I had the opportunity to raise cattle through the FFA program, I knew I had to try it out for myself.”   Continue reading →