A great example of some non-traditional thinking and educating that focuses on real skills for real jobs comes from the Birdville Center of Technology and Advanced Learning – @BISDBCTAL – in North Richland Hills, Texas. As the Wall Street Journal explains, students there draw blood to practice phlebotomy, serve as tellers at the campus-based credit union, make omelets at a campus bistro and tend farm animals while learning about cuts of meat. The 110,000 sq.ft. campus services 1,700 students who can choose between 13 career areas with multiple disciplines. Students attend the career center in addition to their local high school, where they mostly take academic classes. Graduates will be prepared for 21st century jobs. What a concept.
About the Center for Education Reform
Founded in 1993, the Center for Education Reform aims to expand educational opportunities that lead to improved economic outcomes for all Americans — particularly our youth — ensuring that the conditions are ripe for innovation, freedom and flexibility throughout U.S. education.
As a non-partisan, nonprofit organization, CER does not endorse candidates or take political positions but will always recognize and applaud those who advance sound education policies, no matter what their affiliation.