![]() "Just because they leave us as juniors or seniors to go to Hagerstown Community College does not mean they graduated from WCPS," he said. They're still high school students, he added, and the "dual enrollment" courses fulfill both high school and college credit requirements. Willow said students in these programs are monitored weekly. More: Washington County Public Schools students taking classes at HCC can go for freeĬommissioner Randall Wagner questioned whether the costs, currently coming out of the school system's budget, could be reimbursed if students fail a course or drop out, since "all taxpayers are paying for the education." Commissioner Derek Harvey asked whether WCPS had considered charging students for part of the cost or applying a means test to make them eligible based on income. "It's a wonderful option if you choose to go out there," he said, "but many of these programs are also going to be offered in our schools." And these programs aren't limited to HCC, he said. Through these programs, Willow added, students can complete two years of higher education without incurring any debt - even completing an associate degree in the process - while they complete high school. WCPS has had a "dual enrollment" program with Hagerstown Community College for some time, and Sovine noted that a pleasant surprise from the Blueprint for the current budget was "the full funding for the dual enrollment courses … that was an item that was not currently budgeted in our current budget and we had to make an adjustment there." This year, he said, the school system is working with Meritus Health to give students options for training as Certified Nursing Assistants.īlueprint foundation funding has helped pay for these programs, and added costs have been with grants from the Maryland Department of Labor and partners such as the Western Maryland Consortium.ĬTE Coordinator Wendy Moore estimated participating employers retain about 90% of student apprentices after their apprenticeships are complete. Michael III Technical High School, but they are available through all the county's comprehensive high schools, he said.Īn apprentice is defined as a student who has had up to four CTE courses and is now on the job working, said Gary Willow, associate superintendent for curriculum and instruction. While many are offered through the Boyd J. We now have over 110 apprentices and are on track to more than double that by the beginning of next school year." "Coming out of the pandemic, Washington County Public Schools has seen record growth and placement of apprentices throughout Washington County. "Even during COVID, Washington County Public Schools was able to place students into apprenticeships. The program "has had a steady growth each year," Career Technology Education Supervisor James Aleshire told the commissioners. Larry Hogan's administration to promote training of skilled workers for local business. Pre-dating the Kirwan Blueprint, Youth Apprenticeship Maryland was spearheaded by former Gov. Six years ago, WCPS became one of two Maryland school systems to pilot an apprenticeship program, which matches students with local businesses for on-the-job learning. Concentration of poverty per capita - two Washington County schools are now receiving this funding Proulx said he expects four or five more will qualify in FY2024.Students needing help with reading or math proficiency. ![]() Students who qualify for free and reduced-price meals.Additional targeted state aid is being provided for: The school system receives funding from state, federal and local sources the county's general fund contribution is currently more than $109 million, according to its FY2023 budget document.īut Chief Operating Officer Jefferey Proulx noted that the state is picking up nearly 67% of the basic Blueprint costs for Washington County this year. WCPS unveiled its draft budget earlier this month. The timing was essential as the county prepares to draft its Fiscal 2024 budget. "We want to highlight what's right with Washington County Public Schools and the county as a whole," Sovine told the commissioners as he introduced what he called "a high-level view of the Blueprint" showing state funding for the county schools beginning this year. Much of the meeting between the commissioners and the school board focused on how the school system is implementing the "college and career readiness" piece - particularly the WCPS apprenticeship program, which Sovine noted is "Number One in the state of Maryland." ![]() As school systems have begun to implement the Kirwan Blueprint, they're working through changes to everything from funding to programming.
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