Listening sessions in Barre seek input on career, tech ed
January 11, 2023 | By Waterbury Roundabout The Central Vermont Career Center in Barre is one of six regional career center locations around the state hosting in-person listening sessions this week to solicit feedback regarding career and technical education, governance and funding in Vermont.
The two Barre sessions will be held today - Jan. 11 - at 4 p.m. and at 6 p.m. in the library at Spaulding High School. They will move into the auditorium if more space is needed, according to Central Vermont Career Center Superintendent Jody Emerson.
These sessions were requested by the Vermont Legislature in 2022 and will be facilitated by Augenblick, Palaich and Associates Consulting from Colorado. The goal is to hear from a variety of stakeholders such as career and tech ed teachers, administrators, students, parents, school district staff, local businesses and community members regarding how well they think the system is serving Vermont students and the workforce and to identify areas for improvement.
Some of the questions the consultants will ask include:
How well does the Career and Technical Education system meet the needs of students? To what extent are students able to access programs of interest to them? What barriers to student access exist?
How well does the system meet the needs of local businesses and industries? Are there barriers that prevent the system from being responsive to industry needs?
Do stakeholders have appropriate opportunities to provide input on the Career and Technical Education system?
Are there barriers to enrollment in Career and Technical Education, early college and/or dual enrollment? Is the Career and Technical Education system sufficiently funded?
How could the Career and Technical Education system be improved to better serve students and the workforce?
In addition to the Barre sessions, others are scheduled at career training centers in Burlington, Newport, Springfield, Rutland and Brattleboro.
The sessions are in person with no option for remote participation, Emerson said. However, anyone wishing to participate but unable to attend in person may provide input using an online survey that will be available through Friday, Jan. 20. The consulting firm will compile input it receives from these sessions to share with the Legislature by March 1.