New trade high school to prepare students for careers in construction

ABC staff and members are working with planners of North County Trade Tech High School to lay the foundation for a four-year program combining academic learning with construction trades training

The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that by 2012, the United States will be in need of over a million skilled workers to fill the demand created by retiring workers and ongoing construction projects. Because most public schools focus entirely on academic achievement and preparation for the student body to enter four-year college and university programs, many high school graduates are under-prepared to enter the work force - even worse, as many as 45 percent of students drop out without obtaining diplomas.

A large portion of these students could be better served by attending high school programs which combine vocational training with basic academic studies and help prepare youth for rewarding and successful careers in trade industries. Partnering with industry leaders and apprenticeship and work force programs, North County Trade Tech High School will serve youth throughout north San Diego County. ABC staff and members are taking an active role in the planning and startup of this very innovative and vital high school program.

New Haven Youth and Family Services, an organization which has drawn notable attention through its successful work with at-risk adolescent males, will be expanding on their treatment and educational services to better serve local youth who may be better served by hands-on project-based instruction and are interested in pursuing a career in the construction trades. Started in 1967, New Haven has been recognized as a "model program" for engaging the most difficult to reach adolescents, emphasizing life skills development in a positive, therapeutic school culture. New Haven accomplishes its mission of "building positive futures for youth, their families and our communities" by believing in each youth's ability to hope and plan for a better future. It is through our mission that the vision of Trade Tech was realized. The four-year charter high school program will serve students from all walks of life, blending academic and work force competencies necessary for career success in construction trade industries. The school is anticipating a fall 2007 startup, serving 100 ninth grade students this first year and adding an additional grade (and 100 students) each year.

Every nine seconds a child drops out of high school in the United States

What happens to kids after they drop out of high school? One need only open a newspaper or magazine to learn of the disturbing statistics that point to the educational crisis in America. With one-third of our nation's youth dropping out of high school, it is likely something that is very "close to home." With statistics telling us that "75 percent of the prison population are high school dropouts; that nearly half of all dropouts ages 16 to 24 are unemployed; and that the earning power of dropouts has been in almost continuous decline over the past three decades," the need for educational reform becomes apparent.

Working as part of a North County collaborative, Doreen Quinn, CEO of New Haven Youth and Family Services, participated in the interviewing of 100 18- to 21-year-old high school dropouts. Most had come to the attention of the legal system, nearly half were parents, and only 11 percent were able to maintain stable employment for more than one year. Each youth spoke with regret when sharing their reasons for dropping out. Sadly, each youth added "it was too late to return."

Similar to the findings of a recent article published in Time Magazine (April 17, 2006), Quinn soon learned that these youth didn't drop out because they were failing or because they were getting into any trouble. Instead, she learned that they left school simply because they were "bored." Time Magazine noted that "nearly one in three high school students won't graduate." A 1998 study conducted by the University of Michigan notes that "at-risk students are eight to 10 times less likely to drop out if they enter a career tech program." Further, in a survey of California ninth and 10th graders released by the James Irvine Foundation, "90 percent of students said they would be more motivated by classes relevant to their future goals."

Quinn met "John" in the front of a local Starbucks in October 2005. At age 16, John's father Peter, expecting his first child, dropped out of high school and then spent more than a decade battling alcohol abuse. He discovered Alcoholic's Anonymous eight years ago and has been "clean" since. He now holds a high paying job in the "mud trades," however his turn around came too late to be a model for his children. Like their father, both sons dropped out of high school. John, however, hopes to pass the GED and attend Palomar College so he can continue to develop his carpentry skills. John's friends who have dropped out of school are struggling. Most are shuffling through menial jobs -- one works at a local fast food restaurant and another is cleaning stalls at the horse track. "A few just stay at home and watch television and play video games." John shared that he is preparing for his GED at Palomar. He comes across as being very bright -- a boy with a dream of becoming a carpenter. Quinn left the meeting both moved and inspired.

Witnessing the power of vocational education in the lives of New Haven students, Quinn knew firsthand the transformational value of relevant hands-on learning. Having met with John and many just like him, she mailed a request to North County industry leaders asking for their feedback on the possible development of a North County Trade Tech High School. The overwhelming response and support has been unending.

Building sustainable futures

Over the last 15 years, New Haven has been designing, implementing and measuring the effectiveness of technologically-based instruction, vocational education and pre-apprenticeship programs at their residential treatment and educational programs in Vista, San Marcos and Oceanside. Quinn believes that each student learns differently and that effective education and training programs need to include a myriad of learning strategies and education methods.

"The fundamental reason for New Haven's success is that our program design aligns well with what youth are seeking," she says. "They are looking for work that is of value to them: a means to continue their education, training that gives them access to paid employment, peer support to overcome their adolescent difficulties and positive values strong enough to compete successfully with the culture of the streets and give meaning to their lives. Youth need a clear vision of who they can become. These are universal needs shared by all adolescent youth, regardless of their upbringing -- and are the basis for the North County Trade Tech High School program. Trade Tech will help foster greater visions, by preparing all of its students for success utilizing multiple pathways to develop each individual's personal best."

Following what turned out to be a year-long strategic planning process in 2005, New Haven's board of directors committed the time of Quinn, along with five other seasoned directors, to make use of those "economies of scale" so critical for successful program startups. Working with partners and supporters from other local area charter schools, the Office of Education, Palomar College, the Sheriff's Department, the Employment Development Department, San Diego Workforce Partnership, construction businesses and construction industry organizations, including staff and members of ABC San Diego, the planning for Trade Tech is well under way.

The project-based learning and competency-based curricula in academic, soft skills and building trade skills is currently being developed by the Assessment and Accountability Planning Group -- made up of educators, trades people, apprenticeship directors and an architect. Partnerships for the provision of support services as a foundation for success are in place and New Haven is currently seeking a full-time fund development director to raise basic startup funding for curriculum, construction equipment and tools and to raise the funds necessary for the purchase of a facility with both classroom and industrial work "lab" space. Once the charter is approved by the Vista Unified School District school board, the planning group will be expanded to include students, parents and teachers.

Trade Tech supported by EdVisions/Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

With an early agreement amongst each Trade Tech partner to utilize only recognized "best practice" educational approaches, Trade Tech was acknowledged recently with a letter of commitment by EdVisions Schools and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation for $150,000 for planning and startup costs of the new, innovative school. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is an international organization founded by Microsoft magnate Bill Gates to reduce school dropouts, improve student entry into post-secondary education (college and apprenticeship) and to research effective evidence-based practices in education in preparing youth for the 21st century global economy. Recognized as a "best practice provider" of project-based relevant instruction, EdVisions Schools was contracted by the Gates Foundation to consult and provide technical assistance with the overall development of Trade Tec and to oversee use of funds. The $150,000 will be dispersed over two years; with the initial funds dispersed at the time of charter approval.

Believing in the vision for a North County-based trade high school, the Mac S. Rau Foundation "kicked-off" initial planning efforts with a $50,000 grant in January 2006 and WD-40 recently granted funds to be used toward the purchase of a service vehicle and tools and equipment for the service-learning component of the school. The Women's Club of Vista pledged $5,000 toward the costs of incorporation and the Assistance League of North Coast has outfitted students with work boots for construction site internships. Many others have donated goods and services, moving Trade Tech one step closer each day to realizing its place amongst premier high schools in North County.

The board of directors of Associated Builders and Contractors, San Diego, has also pledged financial aid. ABC will be making an initial contribution to help with pre-planning and fundraising costs, with the promise of more financial help as the project continues to move forward.

Positive schools grow positive youth

Visualize a van loaded with tools like you might see on "This Old House" pulling up to the disabled neighbor's home that is obviously in need of repair. Out hops a team of eager teens, ready and capable of fixing what is broken ... at no cost. Now imagine a group of young people from a trade-based high school who are working as part of a functioning team and making a positive difference in their own communities.

"This is the vision we have for our students. As they learn how to be part of a functioning team, with trade skills and personal character development, they will experience the value and importance of serving others in their communities through the pre-apprenticeship service-learning component at Trade Teach," says Quinn.

ABC and other industry partners are working together through Quinn to help make this vision a reality. "This is a unique opportunity for members of ABC and other construction groups to foster the development of a construction-focused charter high school," notes Sherry Yarbrough, ABC Apprenticeship Training Trust executive director. "If you would like to make a positive difference and help youth build successful futures, while at the same time create opportunities for construction-trades trained high school graduates working towards your company's future success, we need you!"

"Future builders"

Your help is needed to get North County Trade Tech High School from paper to project site. There are many ways you can help. Funding support, in the form of cash or donated building materials, furniture and fixtures, curriculum materials, tools and equipment, technology and student materials supplies and supplies to build and operate a state-of-the-art trade school facility are desperately needed. "If we build it, they will come!" For a more specific list of needs and how you can help, visit www.newhavenyfs.org and click on Trade Tech in the upper right-hand corner.

Doreen Quinn may be reached at 760.630.4035, ext. 222 or dquinn@newhavenyfs.org.