In reality, he said the program recognized that he is, “disabled but not at a disadvantage. As someone who is visually impaired, PrepareRI gave me the life-changing opportunity to compete and gain skills and experience that will give me a head start in my career field – without feeling like I’m at a disadvantage.”
“This is a phenomenal program,” Bove added. “They genuinely wanted to see us succeed. I’ve never participated in a more rewarding experience in my entire life.”
Read MoreMore students than ever are being exposed to career pathways, as early as middle school. More students are exploring those careers through internships and hands-on CTE classes. More students are challenging themselves with advanced coursework, and more students are earning college credits, at no cost, while still in high school.
Rhode Island has more programs to challenge and engage our students, and more opportunities for students to thrive.
Read MoreRhode Island is changing the way students learn technical skills and preparing them for jobs of the future. Prepare Rhode Island is a new effort to make sure high school students are ready for the working world.
Read MoreFor a long time, a perception had existed – especially in places like New England – that “smart kids” went to private, four-year colleges after high school and “everyone else” wound up in community college or working a trade with only a high school diploma, if that, to their name. Trade schools and vocational schools were considered largely for the “troubled” kids who didn’t fit the framework of traditional public schools. Today, many states are reversing this perception, and Rhode Island is certainly among them leading the charge.
Read More“For a long time, there was a little bit of a stigma around vocational training,” said Gina Raimondo, Rhode Island’s Democratic governor, but “no matter what neighborhood you’re from, you deserve a chance to get a job.”
Read MoreThe goal in each program is to get teenagers acquainted with a skilled trade they likely never considered and to show them the potential value found within tech-related careers. The network program provides avenues towards careers in IT, systems administration and computer networks, while the marine trade program has a close connection with Electric Boat. In addition to the experience, the students are compensated for their summer work.
Read MoreSCITUATE – After being considered the underdog of Career and Technology Education pathway programs, Scituate High School has announced it will add a new Rhode Island Department of Education-approved Entrepreneurship Academy to its available disciplines this fall.
Read MoreMore schools across the state are creating state-of-the-art career and technical education (CTE) programs, designed to prepare students for college or a career after high school. This year, schools applied to the Rhode Island Department of Education for 59 new CTE programs. There are now 155 RIDE-approved CTE programs in the state.
“Some view it as competition. I see it as growth for competence,” Barnes said. He said CTE pathways are essential to preparing students for a future with great jobs.
Read MoreThe Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) announced today the selection of 22 PrepareRI Ambassadors for the 2018-2019 school year. These classroom educators, district administrators, and community leaders will spend the next year helping to expand career education opportunities as part of Prepare Rhode Island, a statewide strategy to prepare all Rhode Island youth for good jobs.
Read MoreCareer pathways and internship programs like the ones here in Rhode Island have real-world positive impacts on students. Research and anecdotal evidence show us that investing in career readiness is good for students. In fact, 75 percent of students who complete a career pathway go on to enroll in college. But this work is good for businesses, too; it’s a win-win. Industry leaders know that the jobs they need to fill require skilled workers.
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