Sisters, JeffCo schools get tech-ed grants

Eight career and technical education programs at Oregon high schools and middle schools — including Sisters and Jefferson County — will share in grants totaling $2 million to expand opportunities for students.

Oregon Labor Commissioner Brad Avakian and Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction Rob Saxton announced the grants Thursday.

The latest round of Career and Technical Education Revitalization Grants will direct resources to modern learning in fields such as biomimicry, natural resources, greenhouse development, construction, watershed restoration, and robotics education in schools across Oregon.

“Career and technical education is making a difference for students and communities around the state,” said Avakian. “The reason that there’s such immense local and private sector support for the return of 21 st century shop classes and STEM education is that employers understand that these programs mean jobs and economic growth for Oregon.”

With the latest round of grant funding, more than 200 schools have now secured funding for career technical education, modern shop classes and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) learning since 2011. In total, the Oregon Legislature has directed nearly $14 million to CTE programs for Oregon high school and middle schools during the 2011, 2013, and 2014 legislative sessions.

“This investment in Career and Technical Education means that more students in Oregon schools will have access to engaging, hands-on learning that will allow them to explore possible future careers and learn valuable skills which will help them be successful in their lives,” said Saxton. “High-quality, applied learning helps support both student engagement and student achievement, and I am excited to see this continued investment in these vital programs.”

Graduation rates for students in CTE programs are near 90 percent, according to the National Association of State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium. The programs have also been shown to increase student engagement with and interest in school while providing valuable and applicable tools for future careers.

District/School/ESD

Project Name

Award Amount

Bethel School District

CTE Expansion and Revitalization

$413,291

Jefferson County SD

Growing Natural Resources and CTE in Jefferson County Schools

$30,000

Joseph Charter School

Greenhouse: Growing Minds, Skills, and Community

$72,320

Lane Education Service District

Lane County Construction Engineering Technology Program of Study

$409,612

Newberg SD

CTE 21

$496,266

Rainier SD

Columbia Forestry and Watershed Conservation Project

$341,891

Sisters SD

Advancing STEM Through Modern Equipment

$196,500

Tillamook SD

Tillamook High School Career and Technical Education Center

$276,500

The Oregon Department of Education and Bureau of Labor and Industries jointly appoint the Career and Technical Education Revitalization Advisory Committee. The committee evaluates proposals based on geographic diversity, demonstration of local partnerships, and other criteria. Grant criteria and a map of grant-funded programs are available upon request.

For more on Career and Technical Education programs or to read about this latest round of applicants, go to: http://www.ode.state.or.us/search/page/?id=4050.