Duncanville High School conducted its second annual student letter signing ceremony May 7, 2008. Many are familiar with the ceremonies surrounding high school athletes signing letters of intent with colleges and universities. The signing ceremony at Duncanville High School was about students completing engineering and pre-engineering classes receiving recognition for their full admission into colleges and universities. Programs also included computer aided drafting or CAD taught by Mr. Glenn Detgen, computer animation taught by Mr. Peter Landry, electronics taught by Mr. Eric Manual, construction taught by Mr Marvin Scott, and culinary arts taught by Ms. Faye Blackmon. According to Mr. Barton Burnett, engineering and electronics instructor, 88% of the 50 graduating seniors in the engineering program and related Tech-Prep classes have completed all college admission requirements and are ready to move into college housing and classrooms.
Post-secondary programs represented during the ceremonies included ITT Technical Institute, Texas State Technical College in Waco, Texas Tech University, Sam Houston State University, University of Texas-Tyler, University of Texas-Dallas, University of Texas-Arlington, Prairie View A&M University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Panhandle State, Cedar Valley College, Tyler Junior College, Mountain View College, University of Arkansas, Texas A&M University, and Jarvis Christian College. Also represented were the United States Navy, Aerospace Mining and the Social Security Administration. The colleges, universities and private companies awarded more than $290,000 in scholarship and support for the students and the engineering program. The United States Navy has committed more than $400,000 to the training and education of the students signing to go to the Navy. One student had interests related to water operations in diving and rescue swimming. The other student had interests related to the aviation side of the Navy.
More support to the efforts of these students being steered toward colleges and universities came from the Texas Society of Professional Surveyors (TSPS). According to Dr. Stacey Lyle at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, licensed land surveyors in the state of Texas are required to have a Bachelor’s degree. Today the number of surveyors is beginning to shrink rapidly due to ageing and retirements. William Coleman, working with the TSPS, is a moving force to recruit high school students with the math and engineering skills into post secondary surveying and engineering programs. He has also said that more Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs need to be added in all high schools through-out the state of Texas. Several graduating seniors agreed with him and one summed it up by saying “... it has been my CTE teachers that have been the driving influence to convince me that I need a college education...”.
After the recognition ceremonies were completed the stage was opened for students to tell some of their stories. One student commented: started out going to this class as something to ‘get by’ for graduation. The first class I found out they had put me into a class with some ‘crazy guy’ for a teacher, and I wanted out! I was convinced to stay and this class has become the shape for my future….” Another student testified “...I wanted to be an actor and was taking all sorts of theater and drama classes. Then I saw this class for working on car engines (engineering technology). A friend talked me into staying and today I have a scholarship into the University of Texas-Dallas as the first in our family ($46,000 scholarship)...” A third student said “... I took this class as a blow off class and found out I was in a class with a bunch of ‘nerds’. I decided to stay and after I got to know them, I found out they were really some pretty cool friends...”.
Mr. Barton Burnett began the program by saying “We are here to honor those that are different, and have found through CTE they can be successful. Our students are the ones that will be taking charge of the world...” Mr. Burnett added some additional information to all the students’ stories with some of his own. One thing that he was very adamant about was the student’s participation in SkillsUSA. According to Mr. Burnett “...the skills learned and demonstrated through SkillsUSA is the key to the students’ success. I would not consider trying to teach any program with out the support and opportunities provided through SkillsUSA. A student can have all the knowledge in the world about something, and if they cannot communicate that knowledge, then the knowledge is worthless. SkillsUSA helps them learn to communicate...” An additional emphasis for students was given when several had additional funds added to their scholarships because of participating and excelling in the SkillsUSA Leadership contests.
Additional comments included support by Mr. Coleman for the Tech-Prep initiative negotiated with several colleges and how this is a real support for out CTE students. Comments from Mr Burnett related to the collaboration efforts of the CTE and academic programs within the engineering program at Duncanville High School. All the cross training and education is aligned with the AchieveTexas initiative, but has been in place long before AchieveTexas was introduced.
After sitting there and seeing what great opportunities the TSPS and Texas SkillsUSA are creating for the students at Duncanville High School, I can't help but be excited for them and us. TAMU-CC will certainly be a place these young people will consider to help them reach their educational goals. It is my hope we can create a 'pipeline' from Duncanville High school to TAMU-CC in the years to come! The three young men we recruited this year will certainly be an asset to our GIS program and a great first step toward that goal. ~Danette Gutierrez, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Outreach Admissions Counselor-Dallas/Fort Worth Region.
The final comment came from a graduate of the engineering program. He testified “...I took engineering for an elective for graduation. During the program, my teachers supported and encouraged me. As a result I am a successful college student.”
The purpose of Career and Technical Education is to help students find their passion and then to give them the tools to make their passion and goals a reality. The signing ceremony for Duncanville’s Engineering Academy demonstrated what is possible when students are given the right tools and encouragement to succeed. These students have used their high school career to explore different career pathways. They have taken courses that offered them student leadership opportunities as well as college credit. Their instructors have encouraged (and sometimes pushed!) them to make a decision about their postsecondary education. They have encouraged them to compete in SkillsUSA contests that have led them to being stronger academic students and given them confidence in their abilities. Many received scholarships for these efforts. (11 students will be competing at the National SkillsUSA contest this summer in Kansas City) Duncanville is making the “seamless” transition from high school to postsecondary education a reality. Fifty students received recognition for their acceptance into postsecondary institutions. The cumulative dollar amount of their awards from postsecondary institutions was $700,000. The student testimonials reflected pride in their accomplishments as well as an appreciation for the teachers and parents that stood behind them encouraging their success. Their CTE courses allowed them to apply and make sense of the knowledge that they were acquiring in their core classes. These CTE teachers served as career guidance counselors that cared for them as individuals and encouraged them to reach their potential. Career and Technical Education made a difference in the lives of these students and continues to be an integral part of the educational experience at Duncanville High School.
