Career Technical Education (CTE)

Career Technical Education (CTE) Expansion Continues in AUSD

The AUSD community is excited about the revitalization of the Career Technical Education pathways underway in the district.  The state of California has made a substantial investment in grant funding that has enabled AUSD to implement a “new” CTE model – one that no longer separates students between “academic or vocational tracks” – to one that integrates strong academic standards into pathway courses while also providing hands-on learning designed to prepare students with 21st century job skills. 

AUSD is the beneficiary of several grant-funding sources:

• Career Technical Education Incentive Grant
• Carl J. Perkins Federal Grant
• K12 Strong Workforce Grants

These grants have supported AUSD’s efforts to rebuild a robust CTE program including:

• Expanding the options for high school students to enroll in eight CTE pathways
• Equipping a new radio broadcast studios and TV/production studio at Encinal HS
• Incorporating the Public Health Institute’s FACES for the Future internship program at Alameda Hospital into the Sports Medicine pathway at Alameda HS
• Structuring dual enrollment opportunities for students to earn concurrent college credit
• Providing numerous industry field trips and college visits
• Increasing the CTE Advisory Council membership

Career Technical Education Pathways in AUSD

AUSD is pleased to expand the range of CTE pathway options offered to students.  A “pathway” is defined as a sequence of two courses that are aligned, integrate work-based learning, and are connected to high-wage/high demand industries.

KJTZ, Encinal’s student-run radio station, officially launched in March 2017.  While you can still set your radio dial to 96.1 FM to hear a live radio transmission airing from EJSHS studios, we are pleased to report that the world is now able to tune into the Livestream broadcast at www.Encinalradio.com.  Tune in to hear the talented DJs broadcasting from the Encinal radio studios that were funded with Career Technical Education grants.  Students enrolled in the Radio Broadcast Journalism CTE pathway offer a four-hour drive-time show that can be heard weekdays from Monday – Friday from 7 am – 11 am.  Encinal teacher Kevin Gorham, a radio broadcast veteran with a 20-year career in the industry, oversees the program. For more information, contact Kevin Gorham at kgorham@alamedaunified.org

Grants Support Creation of Biotech Talent Pipeline at Alameda High

Alameda High successfully launched a Biotech pathway in August 2019.  The pathway provides students with the essential lab skills needed to work in the exciting field of biotechnology.  The sequence of two pathway courses is designed to engage students in performing hands-on labs that are aligned to a college-level Biomanufacturing course offered at Laney College.  AUSD received two K12 Strong Workforce Grants to support this pathway.  Laney College and Solano College are our post-secondary partners and we are pleased that two biotech companies in Alameda – Exelixis and Penumbra – are our primary industry partners. With support from Alameda Chamber of Commerce and the developers of Research Park at Marina Village, we are expanding our network of biotech companies in Alameda who are involved in the grant. For more information contact Felicia Vargas via phone at 510-337-7091 or by email at fvargas@alamedaunified.org

Carl J. Perkins Federal Grant Reports 2018-19

AUSD is fortunate to receive funding from Carl J. Perkins Grant Fund from the federal government that supports the Career Technical Education programs offered by the district.  The Perkins grant is administered by California Department of Education (CDE).  CDE requires districts that receive Perkins funding to publicly share the annual data reports that are submitted to the state as part of grant compliance.  The following reports detail the demographic breakdown of students who are enrolled in the CTE classes, student pathway completion rates, and graduate data. 

CONTACTS

Dr. Vernon Walton, Jr., EdD.
Director of Secondary Education

(510) 337-
vwalton@alamedaunified.org

Felicia Vargas

CTE Pathway Specialist

(510) 337-7091

fvargas@alamedaunified.org 

Aaliyah Khan
Staff Secretary
(510) 337-7076

akhan@alamedaunified.org