The implementation of D+1 pathways into CBCSD are designed to “make post-secondary education inescapable for students.” The six main pathways that give students the opportunity to expand their education include Early College Academy, Career and Academic, Tradeworks Academy, Tradeworks at Iowa Western, and the College Credit Acceleration program. Now, the district has added an additional three pathways that focus on the sciences: Biomedical Science, Aviation Science, and STEM.
“The benefits of each pathway can differ,” said Kathleen Schmedding, Coordinator of Career and Technical Education. “It could be completion of an IWCC certificate, diploma, or associate degree. A credential that provides prior knowledge or expertise for the work field. The overall benefit in our school district is providing high-quality courses and industry-ready experiences to prepare students for post-secondary and beyond.”
To start off, Early College Academy gives students the opportunity to earn both their diploma and their associate’s degree after graduating at no cost to them. 25 students from both Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln High School are selected based on recommendations, essays, and grades by applying. The Career and Academic program involves a half day at Iowa Western where students can choose between options of science, technology, medical health sciences, early childhood education, and more. The Tradeworks Academy is open to freshmen and sophomores and offers students hands-on experience to enter an apprenticeship after high school. Students get the opportunity to choose between five trade occupations to study. Tradeworks at Iowa Western is open to juniors and seniors after completing Tradeworks Academy. This pathway continues a student’s learning through college-level experience of coursework. Finally, the College Credit Acceleration program is similar to ECA but this program has students take CE classes to get credit. That credit can be transferred to a college and the student doesn’t have to take that class again.
“Our goal with any D+1 is to prepare students for their post-secondary ‘journey’ after high school,” said Schmedding. “That can look different for each student. We like to use the ‘three E model’ preparation for Employment, Enrollment (college/university), or Enlist.”
The newest additions, Aviation Science, STEM, and Biomedical Science, all follow science careers. Anything relating to aircraft, whether that be piloting techniques or machine work, students can follow the Aviation Science pathway. Students get the opportunity to earn FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) Part 107 certification by completing engineering work and drone certification training.
“We are going to have a pathway that allows students to get a new D+1 and this one is a commercial drone pilot’s license,” said Higgins. “So what that allows students to do is once they have that license they will be able to be hired as a commercial drone pilot. There are all sorts of reasons people need drones nowadays.”
The STEM Concentrator pathway can be achieved by completing 24 college credits in STEM-related classes. The Biomedical Science pathway gives students the chance to earn the Certificate Nurse Aide or the Biomedical Concentrator certification by completing Project Lead the Way work and taking health-related classes.
“It’s kind of cool. I’ve taught anatomy and forensics for 14 years now,” said Stoop. “But they asked me to do the Biomedical pathway last year and it was a really good fit. It allowed students who are not going into nursing to kind of have a different route for health sciences if they want to be a surgeon or a radio tech or something along those lines if they don’t want to go the CNA (certified nursing assistant) route or get your nursing degree. The Biomedical pathway is the way to go for that.”
The D+1 pathways have countless benefits for students. They allow students to pursue a career path at no cost to them. With every positive, there are some negative sides. Teachers lose out on potential leaders in their classrooms.
“Some of the best kids are good leaders for other students or good mentors for students,” said Stoop. “However, it does benefit them more and it’s really about their life and not all the other students. Teachers should have to take up that role anyhow.”
“I know a lot of teachers feel that it kind of hurts our school culture a little bit having some of those role models out but then also we offer a lot of online Iowa Western classes here so we have a lot of kids that are taking that,” said TAG strategist Carrie Booms-Ryan. “Some might say that the in-building classes maybe are becoming not as diverse as we would hope. I think that for individual students it is a really good program to offer.”
These programs open up opportunities for students to explore a career path they are interested in and support them for their lives after high school.
“I don’t see any drawbacks to the D+1 idea,” said Thomas Jefferson math teacher Denise Talbott. “Public high schools have not changed the way things are done since its inception. Students should graduate from high school with skills that will allow them to get a job that will pay enough to support themselves. I’m just not sure what that looks like in our schools. The TradeWorks program and ECA are a great start. I would like to see the school district do more with community businesses to get students into apprenticeship programs.”
Abraham Lincoln’s Principal Bridgette Bellows shares her perspective on D+1 and what it gives students.
“I don’t think there are any challenges,” said Bellows. “The opportunity to earn a diploma and a second credential is good for students, teachers, and our school as a whole. Our goal is to ensure that students are prepared for what is next after high school and a focus on a second credential does nothing but support that goal.”
