Pictured: Teacher Dave Post consults with students in an engineering/construction class at New Palestine High School. The school plans to add to its workforce-track offerings with eight new classes next year. File photo
NEW PALESTINE — From construction classes to new culinary education, eight new classes have been approved at New Palestine High School for next year. All the classes are designed to prep students for the workforce immediately after graduation.
The classes include strategic marketing; principles of advanced manufacturing; introduction to robotics; principles of construction trades; construction trades 2; construction trades/carpentry; principles of culinary and hospitality; and nutrition.
District officials are trying to be proactive and prepare students for the workforce after state leaders tasked districts with giving students multiple pathways to graduation, knowing workers are needed right away and that not all high school students will continue on to college.
The new classes are part of the state’s Career and Technical Education program, which means the state will provide funding per student per how many times the class is offered. The amount of money provided will depend on the rating level of the classes. As an example the construction trades 2 class is a $600 reimbursement. If NPHS offers the class five times, and they have 20 kids take it each time, that’s $60,000.
“We almost get the full value of the teacher back if enough kids take the class,” communications director Wes Anderson said.
According to state officials, the percentage of students going to college in Indiana has dropped over the past five years, from 65% in 2015 to 59% in 2019.
“We’ve talked a lot with our graduation pathways program on the scene about trying to increase classroom choice for our students,” Anderson said.
The pathways program is great for students because it allows students to find different ways to earn credits toward graduation and skills they can put to use in the immediate future.
“Not all kids are great standardized-test takers or on that academic honors track, and that’s OK,” Anderson said.
The district has seen a steady increase of student interest in Career and Technical Education courses.
“Job opportunities in manufacturing and construction in Indiana are very competitive, offering high pay and good benefits,” NPHS engineering teacher Dave Post said.
He’s grateful the administration and school board are giving students an opportunity to be prepared for work right out of high school.
“Not only will it benefit the students but also the businesses that need employees and our state’s economy,” Post said.
The new classes were created to give students who are interested in the construction trades and other disciplines a chance to learn valuable skills that the state has put an emphasis on.
“Choices are great, and we’d love to add even more electives,” Anderson said.
That’s one of the reasons the district went forward with its renovation project at NPHS. The high school needed more classrooms to be able to offer different types of educational opportunities.
“That’s a real focus for us, to have more choices for kids that check those boxes for graduation pathways,” Anderson said.
Post teaches classes on robotics and construction at the high school and is able to help his students get connected to trade professionals who can then help soon-to-be-graduates find jobs right out of high school.
“The interest in what Dave Post is doing is growing daily,” Anderson said. “He’s got a full house every day.”
Most of the new classes will be available to all students, although some will only be available to juniors and seniors who’ve expressed interested in learning specific skills.
As an example, the new strategic marketing class will teach marketing and public relations concepts with the classroom becoming a hub for marketing projects. Students will get to do things like promote athletics, performing arts and other events throughout the district.
“Those are great opportunities for kids in our district to get hands-on, real experience in our school every day,” Anderson said.
Post noted one of his most satisfying experiences as an educator is helping a young person discover and pursue his or her career goals.
“Like my late father-in-law used to say when good things were happening, ‘the sky’s the limit, and it’s a clear day.’”
Principal Jim Voelz, and Miles Hercamp, director of instruction, were instrumental in getting the new classes approved, Anderson said.
