Rochester School District Middle School Career Exploration Plans

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester Public Schools is planning ways to expose students to career paths that may or may not require a college degree.

Preparing Students for a Changing Job Market

The Rochester School Board was recently presented with recommendations concerning a new strategic plan focused on middle school students. Rochester Public Schools Superintendent Kent Pekel talked about those recommendations during his regular monthly appearance on News-Talk 1340 KROC-AM and 96.9 FM with Andy Brownell on Rochester Today.

Listen to the entire interview by clicking on the link below.

Why Schools Are Rethinking the College Path

Superintendent Pekel acknowledged that the nation’s education system made a mistake decades ago when it created a curriculum designed to send every student to college or a similar higher education institution after finishing high school. While the goal remains to provide every student with the knowledge and support to pursue higher education, the superintendent says it has become clear that path is not for every student, particularly in an evolving job marketplace that has created opportunities for skills that do not necessarily require a four-year degree.

Adapting Education to Workforce Needs

As part of the school district’s new strategic plan, Superintendent Pekel says the goal is to develop ways to expose middle school–age children to those types of opportunities in a way that would expand their options as they prepare for life after receiving a high school diploma. At the same time, the emphasis will remain on academic rigor, recognizing that a majority of students will be headed to college and that careers not requiring a traditional degree still demand mathematical, analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills.

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Certification and Career Training Opportunities

The school board’s next presentation on the new strategic plan will focus on the high school level. Superintendent Pekel says those recommendations will include creating curricula that can provide students with a more direct pathway to their chosen careers and areas of study, and in some cases provide a level of certification for certain vocations.