Workforce education, or apprenticeships, could be part of the education curriculum at Dell Rapids as early as next year. Superintendent Dr. Summer Schultz gave a brief update on the goal of the school to have workforce education to the Dell Rapids School Board during their regular meeting on Monday, December 10th.
“We have got to figure out a way to get more work-based opportunities for our high school kids. The state is telling us we have flexibility to give credit those apprenticeships, job shadowing, and things like that. The state is saying you can give these alternate pathways to kids for credit,” said Dr. Schultz.
Dr. Schultz also mentioned that it’s hard to do that right now. She is meeting with the Dell Rapids Chamber of Commerce and city administration over the winter months to discuss specifics of the plan and will have a more formal, detailed announcement out to the public at a later time. Dr. Schultz is also currently looking for businesses around Dell Rapids that are wanting to do apprenticeships or job shadowing to try to get this goal going for next school year.
“When we figure out of every 100 kids that start college in South Dakota, 23 finish with a degree. Clearly we are missing the boat for a lot of kids, and we’re not sending them down the right path. I’m not saying we don’t want every kid to be college ready and college prepared, but if that isn’t their path and that’s not where they want to go, maybe we should provide some opportunities for them in other places also,” said Dr. Schultz. She also mentioned these opportunities would also benefit students that do want to go to college in helping them figure out a course of study.
Dr. Schultz urged the members of the board if they know of any businesses in the area that are willing to provide these opportunities to please let her know. Administration is looking to build those alliances now for the next school year.