Join host David Adams, CEO of the Urban Assembly, as he welcomes Dr. Jonah Schenker, District Superintendent, and Peter Harris, Assistant Superintendent for Career Pathways, from Ulster BOCES to the Innovations in Education. Dr. Schenker and Mr. Harris explain BOCES' role as an educational service agency focused on shared services, efficiency, and economic benefits for school districts in Ulster County, New York.

The conversation centers on IPark 87, a new initiative designed to address the persistent mismatch between educational outputs and labor market needs. Peter describes IPark 87 as an "agglomeration project" focused on bringing together resources to become a workforce developer for the campus and the county through CTE and adult education. This innovative approach aims to fill labor gaps by offering agile labs for both high school students and adults, encompassing fields like aviation, culinary arts, healthcare, finance, and criminal justice. The discussion also tackles the stigma often associated with career technical education, emphasizing that the outdated vocational model is no longer relevant. Instead, Ulster BOCES focuses on fostering engagement, relevancy, and joy in learning, leading to increased enrollment in CTE programs despite declining overall school enrollments.

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