BEND, OR -- Bend-La Pine Schools is working to increase enrollment in Career and Technical Education programs. College and Career Readiness Director Stephen DuVall says on March second, 8th graders will get to preview what options they’ll have in high school during CTE Experience Day. “Many of our students don’t know the full extent of our CTE offerings," he says, "And so, we will have all our eighth grade students fly up to the high school they’ll be attending before they choose their electives and their classes, so they can get a rotation of these CTE classes and just see a little bit of the space, hear from the teacher, get a little bit of hands-on activity in that space and learn a little bit more about what’s offered for them at high school.”

DuVall tells KBND News students often don’t realize the variety that’s offered beyond construction, “Manufacturing technology, which is a big one in our area; metals. We have engineering, education, criminal justice, business. Each of these programs have a different pathway; graphic arts. And so, students can start with an introductory level class and then go on and go as deep as they want.”

College is still important. But, “That’s not the only path, nor is it the only path we should be communicating with students," says DuVall, "There are a variety of great paths that lead to high-scale, high wage opportunities in our communities. Some of these programs, students can start as freshman and continue on in those pathways, all the way until they’re seniors. If we’re having them take it when they’re seniors, it might be too late, in terms of finding their passion and their purpose.”