The document discusses how the Leominster Public Schools district has developed innovative strategies to provide students pathways to green careers. It describes two innovation schools opened in the district - the Center for Technical Education, which uses a STEM-focused instructional model to prepare students with technical skills, and the Leominster Center for Excellence, which uses a self-directed learning model. It also discusses sustainability curriculum initiatives, school-to-career coordination programs, and efforts to expand business partnerships and internship opportunities to provide more pathways for students to green careers.

1. BRIDGING EDUCATION
AND CAREER GAPS
Massachusetts Green Career Conference
October 1, 2014
Jim Jolicoeur
Superintendent of Schools
Leominster Public Schools

2. Objective
MA Green Career Conference - October 1, 2014 2
Discuss how a public school district has
developed innovative strategies to provide
students with essential skills that create a
pathway to green career opportunities.

3. Innovate
Educate
Create…the Future
MA Green Career Conference - October 1, 2014

4.  Getting to know every student, identifying their
interests, and making every student successful.
 Trust
 Collaboration
 Innovation
 Risk Taking
 Work ethic
 High quality work and decision-making
 Accountability
Leominster Public Schools
Expectations
MA Green Career Conference - October 1, 2014 4

5.  Innovation schools have provided
Leominster with a unique educational
delivery system to prepare students for
career and college opportunities.
 Two innovation schools have opened in
Leominster:
The Center for Technical Education
innovation
The Leominster Center for Excellence
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Innovation Schools

6.  Vocational/Technical School
 Instructional infrastructure of the school
is based on STEM -
science/technology/engineering/math
 Instruction prepares students with
academics, technical skills, professional
skills and links these competencies to
business and industry
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The Center for Technical Education
innovation (CTEi)

7. Sustainability Curriculum
Initiative
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Creative Change Educational Solutions (CCES) is a national
leader in Education for Sustainability (EfS). Based in
southeast Michigan, CCES supports K20 leaders and
institutions to make EfS the basis of policy and practice.
Our approach to curriculum transformation and leadership
development places food systems, revitalization, and other
sustainability issues at the center of innovation and reform.

8. Sustainability
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This curriculum initiative moves students
towards a better understanding of
sustainability, which is simply defined by:
Living well for all (species), now and into the
future, within the means of the environment.
This touches upon every facet of social,
political and economic life and links to green
careers.

9. The health of people, ecosystems, and communities
Food and water systems
Land use, transportation and urban design
Energy generation and distribution
Globalization and the economy
Consumption, life cycles, and design
Governance and political structures
Arts, aesthetics, beauty, expression
Intercultural collaboration
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Sustainability

10.  Innovation school for a unique
population of students
 Transitioning into a Big Picture
Learning (BPL) school
http://www.bigpicture.org/
 Principles of BPL: self-directed student
academic plans, advisories, internships,
student portfolios and presentations
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The Leominster Center for
Excellence (LCE)

11. School to Career Facilitation
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Student
Employment
Opportunities
Community
Engagement
District
School to
Career
Vocational
Technical
Coordination

12.  Providing a flexible educational infrastructure
where students can identify interests
 Providing learning opportunities for students to
build academic, technical, and professional
skills
 Provide business partnerships that promote
internship and co-op opportunities for students
to “leave the classroom to learn” for real world
experience
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Pathways to College and Green
Careers

13. We would like to continue to expand
our portfolio of business partnerships
with non-profits, businesses, and
other industry leaders to expand our
ability to provide more pathways for
students to green careers.
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Summary