This is HISD’s Future(s): Blending learning and careers

This is a big week for HISD’s five Futures Academies. After only two years in existence, they are graduating 84 students who wisely used their high school years to earn associate’s degrees or workforce certifications from Houston Community College in addition to their diplomas.

This is impressive: Futures graduates from Booker T. Washington High School are skilled in manufacturing engineering. Those from Furr have been schooled in engineering technology, and those from Kashmere, in process technology. Scarborough grads can pursue network and computer administration, and Sterling’s grads have a great foundation in logistics and global supply.

By committing to attending school during summers these past two years, Futures grads have gotten a remarkable jump on higher education or careers, with up to 30 college credits or important job skills and certificates, beyond their diplomas.

When I first came to HISD almost five years ago, the slogan was “Creating a College-Bound Culture.” Going to college is an admirable goal that can open doors to a successful future, and we’ve sharpened our focus on how to get our students into top colleges, to pay for their education, and to succeed. But there are a surprising number of in-demand, well-paying jobs right here in Houston that don’t require a four-year degree.

Through Futures and our new Linked Learning approach, we’ve broadened that single-minded focus on college. Linked Learning will start exposing youngsters to workplaces and higher education in elementary school and deepen those connections through middle school. Through each level of their education, students will understand how what they’re learning will relate to their futures — whether in college or directly in the workforce.

In high school, students will be ready to start experiencing and gaining skills for careers, as well as college credits. One of those high school options is our Futures Academies – which are expanding this fall to include health sciences and construction technology programs at Jones High School.

Congratulations to our pioneering 84 Futures students, and may your numbers swell in the coming years.