Participation in Gov. Jack Markell’s (D) signature vo-tech and dual enrollment program, Pathways to Prosperity, continues to surge into next school year.
State education officials are funneling another $400,000 of federal money into the Pathways, which aims to better train Delaware's future workforce. Another $50,000 is coming from private sources.
High school students enrolled in the program earn certifications or college credit alongside their diploma, with all 16 traditional school districts now on board.
Red Clay School District is expanding or launching three programs next fall, including careers in finance, nursing and teaching.
Superintendent Merv Daugherty says Pathways is just as valuable for kids who aren’t sure what they want to do after graduation as it is for those who do.
“They’ve had a chance to think through this process before entering their freshman year of college, saying, ‘Oh my goodness, I think I picked the wrong career pathway.’ Here, you have an opportunity to really dig into it before it occurs,” Daugherty said.
Markell made the announcement at A.I. du Pont High School Monday morning, where a student asked him why he should care about his other classes if he could immediately get a job from his education through Pathways.
The governor said he wondered the same thing in high school.
“I like the fact that he’s asking the question, but I really do feel strongly that the more well-rounded that we are, not only are we likely to be more successful on the job, we’re likely to have a happier, more fulfilling life,” he said.
Over the past two years, Pathways to Prosperity has grown from about 30 students to nearly 6,000 across the state learning about environmental science, K-12 education and careers in finance.
