Innovative High School Grant Program Details

Thanks to the work of Gibson County CTE directors, local industry partners, and Gibson County Schools grant writers, the new “Pathways to Success Project” awarded to Gibson County students beginning with the 2021-2022 school year will allow students to attend high school through a modified school day at a partnering employer’s facility instead of the traditional classroom setting while also participating in a Career Advisement Program. The purpose of the “Pathways to Success Project” is to break the mold by reimagining current routines/practices of schooling in order to better prepare students for their futures. In order to accomplish this purpose, three school districts across the county partnered to form a consortium: Gibson County Special School District (fiscal agent), Milan Special School District, and Trenton Special School District. Following the formation of the consortium, members sought out community groups and employers within the county to partner with. The vision of the “Pathways to Success Project” is to prepare students for high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations by reimagining space, modes of learning, partnerships, and time.

Students chosen to participate in the Innovative High School “Pathways to Success Project” will be provided hands on training in the classrooms with equipment purchased with grant funds. Forklifts, punch presses, and safety controls are a few items being provided that should aid in the training needed and expenses usually covered by the employer. Health Science students will be trained on EKG machines, patient lifts, and IV tubing to name a few. By providing the training in high school, the financial and time burdens our manufacturing and healthcare facilities have endured will be eased, and students from across the county will be able to transition easily into the workplace after graduation–aiding in the employee crisis caused by the Covid-19 Pandemic.

In addition, partners have requested the program provide a “soft skills” course that covers topics such as active listening, speaking, reading comprehension, critical thinking and social perceptiveness. They have stated students are not coming to employment with these soft skills, so Innovative High School program participants will be subject to a two-week long course curriculum prior to being allowed in their work-based learning job placements. Students will also be given Youscience career assessments by on staff Career Advisors, and Work Based Learning students will be provided transportation, classroom guidance, and workplace job coaching by staff Work Support Coaches.