Leading the Way in Career and Technical Education: Delsea Regional School District's Vision for Student Success In an era of tightening budgets and evolving educational demands, the Delsea Regional School District has exemplified leadership and innovation in the realm of Career and Technical Education (CTE). By leveraging attrition and strategically utilizing Perkins V funds, we have not only maintained but expanded our CTE offerings, ensuring our students are prepared for diverse career paths. Strategic Repurposing and Budget Management Faced with declining budgets, many districts are forced to cut programs, but at Delsea, we saw an opportunity. Through careful planning and leveraging attrition, we repurposed positions to sustain and expand our CTE programs. This approach allowed us to introduce new courses without additional financial strain. By reallocating resources from vacated positions, we have been able to strategically invest in areas that align with both student interest and market demand. Expanding Opportunities with Perkins V Funds The Perkins V funds have been instrumental in supporting our vision. These funds have enabled us to introduce cutting-edge programs such as Sports Marketing, Law Enforcement, Plumbing, and Electrical. Each of these additions is carefully designed to provide students with practical skills and real-world experience. For instance, our Sports Marketing program offers insights into the dynamic world of sports business, while our Law Enforcement course prepares students for roles in public safety. Integrating CTE into District Culture
CTE is not just an addition to our curriculum; it is woven into the fabric of our district's culture. Our Building and Construction courses are a prime example. Students in these courses recently built vertical whiteboards for our math classrooms, enabling the implementation of the Building Thinking Classrooms model. This hands-on project not only enhanced our math instruction but also showcased the tangible impact of CTE skills on everyday learning environments. Our students even built our new baseball dugouts!
NJAEL Leader’s Edge Magazine 13
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