BELLEFONTAINE — The Midwest Regional Educational Service Center is pleased to announce the award of a $345,000 Straight A Grant from the state of Ohio.
Monies will be used to implement pilot sites for three school districts to implement Harvard’s Pathways to Prosperity. The post-secondary partner is Rhodes State Community College, who is providing the college level content and assisting with updated curriculum and course progression. The concepts will provide students with the goal of a high school diploma and a basic manufacturing credential upon graduation that can lead to an internship and/or employment.
The current consortium of schools includes Upper Scioto Valley in Hardin County, Indian Lake Schools in Logan County, and Fairlawn Local School District in Shelby County.
Recognizing that not all students want or need to pursue a four-year college education, the creation of the West Central Ohio CAREER NETWORK through Rhodes State and the West Central Ohio Manufacturers Consortium will provide 40 hours of instruction on topics that include the manufacturing process, safety, quality control, real world mathematics, communication, and workplace skills. Students engage in team-building and communication exercises to prepare for future careers. The West Central Ohio Manufacturers Consortium is comprised of 27 industries that are dedicated to improving the manufacturing workforce in the West Central Ohio region.
The Straight A Fund was created in 2013 and the state budget, signed in 2015, included $30 million for a two-year continuation. More than 300 school districts and unique organizations applied for funding this year. Of these, 20 grant applicants received a total of $14.6 million.
The West Central Ohio CAREER NETWORK Grant is an opportunity for today’s youth to be successfully employed and maintain America’s ability to remain competitive globally, meeting the increasing demand for a technically skilled workforce, and address the ever widening economic and opportunity gap.
Midwest Regional ESC Superintendent Heather O’Donnell believes, “We are at a crucial point in education where students, parents and educators must learn and value options for students other than college. There are many career paths to success for students, including excellent local options. The more students, parents and educators learn about and experience these options, the greater the chance for success our students and communities as a whole will have. This grant supports that learning process and we are thrilled to be a part of it.”
CAREER NETWORK Project Coordinator Greg Ward is working with local manufacturers and the Fairlawn Local School District for the local pilot. Designated teachers who have been trained from Fairlawn include Chris Clark and DJ Heintz. Interested students, parents or counselors should contact Ward at 937-726-1439 or by email at [email protected].
