Contract 2023: Student pathways initiative

The DOE’s Student Pathways Initiative will create career-connected learning and pathways for all high students, including financial literacy and civics skills.

Students will receive:

1. regular and frequent college and career counseling;
2. the opportunity to participate in career-connected learning opportunities, including career readiness skill building and paid internships;
3. early college credits and industry recognized credentials;
4. individualized post-secondary plans.

The initiative will enhance and expand current CTE course offerings and programs.

High school staff, including staff in existing CTE programs, will have an opportunity to participate in:

• targeted professional learning, including industry-based professional development;
• the design of career-connected learning programs; and
• alternative career pathways.

Assignments:

CTE teachers may be programmed for double periods wherever possible and appropriate based on the content areas. Two double periods may be programmed consecutively.

Teachers and paraprofessionals will receive career-connected learning curriculum and training, from industry professionals when appropriate and feasible.

The DOE and the UFT will form a labor management committee to discuss:

1. The use of paraprofessionals to provide instructional support to students being taught a career-connected learning curriculum and to provide support regarding apprenticeships/internships, under the general direction of a pedagogical employee or supervisor.
2. Assignment of high school teachers to classes that provide both high school and college credits.
3. Methods to support the work of work-based learning coordinators.
4. Alternative teacher schedules.

Alternative Certification:

The DOE and the UFT will jointly request that the state Education Department issue a) industry-specific temporary teaching certificates; and b) new long-term teaching certificates that recognize specific industry expertise.

The DOE and the UFT will meet once per term to discuss operational issues related to this program.