Dist. 211 to prepare students for computer careers

With an estimated 65 percent of U.S. jobs to require more than a high school diploma by 2020, Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 is trying to find new ways for its students to spend their four years learning what they like or don't like about a variety of career paths.

At Thursday's school board meeting, officials specifically discussed new classes, clubs and internships that can give students real-world insight into one of the 16 identified career clusters - computer technology.

But whatever path a student chooses, he or she should be considering what they want to do after graduation as early in high school as possible, District 211 Associate Superintendent for Instruction Lisa Small said.

"What do we need to do to prepare students for their future?" she asked.

The computer technology pathway is planned to be opened up more to students with an elective summer school class this year, two or three more next school year, and still others after that.

Through partnerships with more than 100 local companies, District 211 hopes not only to fine-tune these classes to what future industry needs but also to establish relevant internships, Small said.

The district plans to ensure that such internships are not merely a source of cheap labor for companies but put students in a position where they can really learn about the industries they're working in, she said.

Four subdivisions of the computer technology field will be highlighted - hardware, software, visual design and the administration of computer networking - as well as the skills common to them all. These include flexibility, communication, problem-solving and the ability to work as a team, Small said.

Superintendent Dan Cates added that getting students college credit for these classes and programs is important not only in getting them on the right career path but saving them tuition in the process.

Such programs are hoped to be established for as many of the 16 career clusters as possible, Small said. But taking agriculture as an example, she added that the programs won't be as comprehensive where student interest and career opportunity don't intersect as strongly.

The computer technology workforce, on the other hand, is projected to grow 24 percent in the next seven years, she said.

Focus: Computer jobs projected to grow 24 percent in 7 years