State Department of Education Superintendent Eric Mackey went on FNC's "Fox & Friends" on Thursday to discuss a program that allows high school students specializing in a trade to swap some math or science courses for Career Technical Education courses.
Called the Workforce Pathway Graduation Option, the new program allows students to focus on trades while still in high school and speed up their entrance into the workforce.
Mackey pointed out that some higher-level science and math courses were not for every student, adding that this option allows students to walk into high-demand jobs immediately out of high school.
"I was a high school science teacher, and I've said before, even though I love teaching chemistry, not every student needs chemistry. Obviously, we want that basic understanding, so we still require two high school science credits for all students, two high school math credits, including algebra and geometry, but not all students need higher maths, higher science for the jobs that are available today, high demand, high wage jobs that students can walk into right after high school, and we want to give them that opportunity."
Mackey likened the program to selecting a major in college and explained how easy it would be for students to swap their plan if they change their minds. He added that the State Board of Education was working closely with two-year and most four-year colleges in the state if someone gets behind.
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