June 2025 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education: innovation career pathways presentation by North Attleborough High

 there's a cast of thousands here, 

by 2027, 85,000 involved in various career pathways is the state goal

Jennifer Gwatkin, Coordinator of Innovation Career pathways
six industry sectors: advanced manufacturing, business/finance, clean energy, environmental/life science, healthcare/social assistance, information
four year long pathway: two career courses, two advanced courses (many use Project Lead the Way), immersive end of program experience
now nearly 30% of MA high schools now have them
historically, have been grant funded both for planning and for implementation

North Attleborough: advanced manufacturing at high school
started after 2018 report on specific areas of need
Stacia Williams, a biology teacher: was a whole new world
labor looking for more skilled workers; what kids would need if they were to enter into this labor force
"not only to we have the need in this area; our kids have the thirst for it"
visited many companies in our areas to see what they needed
"igniting curiosity"
"provided an answer to the question 'why does school matter to me'"
relevant real world hands on experience for students is a goal of the science department
bringing in Project Lead the Way next year
Max Kinney, engineering teacher
Project Lead the Way allowing more students to access
AutoDesk certification
students: application of skills; lots of hands on learning
much more like college: student led, student time management, problem you come up with and solve yourself
"more us leading the project"
"allows us to feel more motivated because it is more personal to us"
"found something we love for our career...something that we love and can do in our career"
Craven asks them to 'be honest' about how engaged they were before and after this program
student "sparked my interest...made me really want to learn more"
"use their curiosity and do what they want with it"
"timing of this in high school...wanted to work on this and finish this pathway and this project...felt accomplished at the end instead of relieved"
another: "had a reason to come in...celebrate what we've been doing all year long for this project"
another: really started getting rolling with our projects in the middle to end of year; come up with a problem to solve that actually had an impact on my life
another: senior year felt like a repeat of junior year until innovation pathways
"kind of inspired me to start coming into school a little more prepped"
Williams: amazing to watch them push each other, learn and grow
notes that they all graduated weeks ago and are here today
Gwatkin: each school puts together a team and partners
Williams: students really see through lines in all of their education
Kinney: a voice that is particularly important is a voice of employers in the workforce
particular amount of difficulty in developing those partnerships
Williams: post-pandemic life "has truly changed so many of us"
shift education in a lot of ways
very nice to feel supported in those changes
Rep. Scanlon: education as a great equalizer; allows rise of all ships

recess for photo