West Michigan District Plans Curriculum Overhaul

Kent City schools plan to get kids ready for health care industry jobs early, Nate Reens of The Grand Rapids Press reports. In a new program introduced this month, administrators will focus on health sciences to train students for opportunities in the Grand Rapids' growing medical field.

KENT CITY, MICH. -- Kent City school administrators are planning a districtwide curriculum overhaul with a commitment to health sciences, seeking to train students and keep them in West Michigan by targeting expected economic growth on Grand Rapids' Medical Mile.

The shift, which also places an increased emphasis on computer sciences, language, music education and hands-on experience, is seen as necessary in a state education climate too often focused on student losses and decreased funding.

"We are facing significant challenges, and we have to adapt to give our students every opportunity to be successful," said Superintendent William Smith.

"It is urgent that we start our kids early to give them an abundance of options for employment and to test-drive careers that can keep them in our community and in our state."

State and national job forecasts call for the health and computer fields to be the fastest growing industries through 2016.

Grand Rapids' growing medical field -- hospital expansions, research and development at the Van Andel Institute and Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine relocation -- offers a glimpse at the opportunity, Smith said.

Smith will introduce the program, which begins at kindergarten and leads to hands-on experience in high school, at a planning session this month.

He will also explain the district's plan to have all students bilingual by the sixth grade, offer additional technology classes and the ability to earn credits during the summer to increase flexibility for internships.

For the complete story, visit The Grand Rapids Press.