Q. I want my child to go to college. Won't attending Springfield-Clark CTC put her/him on the wrong track?
A. First, Career-Technical studies do not discourage going to college. In fact, Career-Technical programs at SCCTC can help students focus their career aspirations so that they'll be better students in post-high school institutions. And some students are able to pay their way through college with part-time jobs for which their Career-Technical studies prepared them.
All students should have options - to finish high school and go to college or go to work first and then college. School-to-Work is all about eliminating different tracks for different students and providing relevant academic and Career-Technical instruction and career guidance for all students. In fact, Tech Prep programs commit students to continue their education beyond high school by linking high school and college courses. This is similar to the way advanced placement programs allow students to do some college level work while still in high school.
Q. Why would a student ever benefit by not getting a college degree?
A. Look at what the national statistics tell us: Less than half of all students who enroll in college earn a four-year degree. Job market analysts say that only 20 percent of America's jobs require a bachelor's degree or higher education. But 65 percent of good jobs that can provide wonderful careers require something less than four years of college. Only 15 percent of America's jobs are available to people without skill training. Many careers can be launched with a two-year college associate's degree - for example, medical and health services (nurses, medical technicians, dental hygienists), as well as manufacturing and service technician fields (computer systems technicians, graphic arts designers, aircraft mechanics, engineering technicians).
Q. Which students benefit most from Career-Technical education? Boys? Girls? Minorities?
A. These programs serve all students. For instance, girls benefit by taking courses that help them get into non-traditional career fields, such as auto technician and computer-assisted manufacturing. And studies have shown the Career-Technical programs make a positive difference for dropout-prone and other educationally disadvantaged students.
Q. Are students with disabilities able to participate in these programs?
A. Yes, Career-Technical programs are accessible to all students. The law requires equality of access. A recent study of 8,000 students with disabilities showed that those in Career-Technical programs were more likely than those who were not to have better attendance, stay in school, attend post secondary Career-Technical programs and have a job after two years.
Q. Can I graduate from high school if I attend SCCTC?
A. SCCTC enables you to obtain at least 7 credits a year. If you are low on credits, the CTC Staff will work with you - through summer school, night school or virtual courses - to obtain the necessary graduation credits.
Q. Isn't SCCTC a school for kids who don't do well in a traditional high school?
A. No. Many SCCTC students found they were not being challenged at other schools. At SCCTC you'll learn the core academics you would learn at your own high school plus hands-on, career-focused training in your chosen career path. Don't be surprised if your grades go up...it's a positive result of studying what you enjoy.
Q. Isn't it "uncool" to attend SCCTC?
A. No way! Talk with our students. They are involved in sports, band and other extracurricular activities at their associate schools. They have new friends at SCCTC with whom they share similar interests, just like at their associate high school. They will also tell you that what is really "uncool" is having a high school diploma without a career focus.
