Published: Saturday, February 3, 2007
District to expand vocational education
The board also discussed possibly dropping class rank on transcripts.
By TIM YOVICH
HOWLAND — The board of education has decided to expand its vocational education program beginning this fall.
Meeting in special session Friday, the board decided to contract with the Ashtabula County Joint Vocational School to offer introductory classes to freshmen and sophomores, so they can better determine if they want to pursue vocational training.
Currently about 10 high school students are involved in a two-year woodworking and graphic arts program.
An additional 70 students take part in a program where they study retailing at the vocational school a half day and attend regular classes the balance of the time. These students work in retail outlets in the Howland area.
Superintendent John Rubesich said young people who don't go on to college are "foundering" after graduation — unless they obtain some sort of vocational skill.
About the classes
Paul Brockett, secondary supervisor at the vocational school, said the school will offer students 10 classes.
The students will attend one period a day to get a fundamental understanding of such subjects as computer design, electricity, metal processes, robotics and electronics.
The classes can be changed. For example, welding might be inserted to replace one of the 10 classes, Brockett explained.
If students are interested in a subject, they can go to the Ashtabula school their junior and seniors years for actual training.
Board member Scott Lehman said they might decide to go on to college rather than focus on vocational studies.
The board also discussed the possibility of dropping class rank on high school transcripts, but decided to gather more information.
Board member Lori Kuszmaul said in talking with parents whose children are taking academically difficult classes, she learned that college admission officers aren't taking the difficulty into consideration when deciding who gets admitted.
Rubesich countered that taking difficult classes better prepares students for college.
He noted that college admission officials he has spoken to first consider the scores on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams, then strength of schedule and finally the grade point average.
High school principal Frank Thomas said colleges do look at the strength of schedules when deciding college entrance.
Howland requires a student receive a 94 percent or higher to receive an A. Other school districts range from 90 percent to 95 percent.
Board president Barbara Wright said the district's high standards shouldn't be lowered. Rubesich agreed, noting lowering the percentage to attain a high grade only lowers academic standards.
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