Tech Ed Training Leads to College, Careers

It doesn't look like a typical school — the $33-million glass building looks more like a mall, complete with a full-service restaurant, a bank, a courtroom, a convenience store and a broadcast studio.

It doesn't feel like a typical school either — students develop computer skills with animated videos, learn chemistry basics with gourmet cooking classes and practice medical skills in a replicated hospital room.

But, contrary to what it looks and feels like, the Career and Technical Education Center is Frisco Independent School District's newest high school, The Dallas Morning News reports. After 10 years and millions of taxpayer dollars, the school opened last year with the goal for students to learn career skills through professional simulations. Other districts, such as Plano and Richardson ISD, have been mulling the idea of creating their own versions. Visitors have come from all over the country to tour the building.

The vocational model, however, is also different in the way that it focuses on getting students to go to college. This year, 93 percent of the 800 students who took classes at the center are going to college; only 4 percent chose technical school.

These kinds of classes are better structured when they take place at one spot rather than at individual high schools, said Wes Cunningham, principal of the CTE center, adding that they embed core academic curriculum and reduce district costs.

"When I grew up, vocational education was targeted at students who were not going to college," he said. "We don't do that anymore. Now it's connected to higher education."

For the complete story visit, www.dallasnews.com.