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Tim Heller, Superintendent of McCracken County Schools,
believes in the philosophy of School to Work where students have the opportunity
to understand the relevance between academics and the real world. He remarked
that the district has profited from the opportunities and monies provided
by School-to-Work grants in areas such as Economics America and Future Leadership
program through the Chamber of Commerce. Test scores have increased at Farley
Elementary School in correlation to grant activities.
Our teachers subscribe to School to Work; guidance counselors
have excellent opportunities to bring in guest speakers such as a dentist
or representatives from local businesses or take field trips. In order to
make a greater impact on students' lives, Mr. Heller felt that teachers
and counselors need to add the personal touch - make students feel that
they are more than just a number.
He suggested that we ask business/industry what they need
in their future employees and that the schools teach those skills. Mr. Heller
commented, " the partnership between business/industry and education
needs to be more visible. Let's put these good ideas into practice such
as job shadowing and mentoring. If I were the owner of a factory, I would
go to the high school, tell them I plan to have three openings next year,
and ask who can you send me? Not everyone is college material, and there
is money to be made in the vocational areas."
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