It was said before yet it bears repeating, the Rochester City School District is not in the business of employing adults, its primary concern is educating children.
While the All City High school seems like a good idea, it offers students more of the same at lower student to staff ratios. The premise is, there is something wrong with the student, not the system, and therefore we will make it easier for the student to navigate the system given their particular dysfunctions. This could not be further from the truth.
Recently, flyers were sent out into the community advertising the Rochester’s School Construction Jobs & Training program. This program funded by the Rochester School Modernization Program is taking applications from February 17th thru March 3rd and offers free trade training for Rochester residents 18 years of age or older. Requirements for the program state that applicants must have a high school diploma or GED, a valid drivers license and reliable transportation along with proof of City of Rochester residency.
In 2007 when the Facilities Modernization Program was introduced, it was with the intent of training students. “Those funds not only will finance school buildings but also help students learn a trade, enabling them to build better lives.”
The program was supposed “to prepare young people for entry into an exciting career in construction. And, by pursuing a policy that requires contractors to have state-approved apprentice programs in place, the CSD will ensure that aspiring construction workers will get the training they need.”
It seems that the “over-age” and “under-credit” students would be well served by this program. Unfortunately, they are once again left out of the opportunities this program offers because the system of education in our district has failed them.
Educational dollars are once again being spent employing adults instead of educating students. A perfect opportunity to offer students this district has failed is before us. We should incorporate job training and education into a program that will offer our “over-age” and “under-credit” students employment and a diploma, especially since this was the original intent of the plan.
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