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Middle School Career and Technical Education Policy

FALL RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS

CAREER & TECHNICAL EDUCATION MIDDLE SCHOOL EXPLORATION POLICY

Durfee CTE Logo

 

INTRODUCTION


Fall River Public Schools is committed to providing all middle school students and families with free and open access to Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities at B.M.C. Durfee High School as well as regional vocational, and regional agricultural high schools and programs. This policy outlines the district’s middle school pathway exploration activities, record sharing and other obligations ensuring equitable access and documents how middle school students in the district are made aware of, and gain exposure to, career technical education (CTE) schools and programs available to them in their district, regional, agricultural, and other public high schools.

STATEMENT OF GOALS
The goal of Fall River’s Middle School Pathway Exploration Policy is to:
● Provide all middle school students with opportunities to explore career-connected learning before high school.
● Ensure equitable access to CTE information and experiences for all students and families.
● Connect career exploration in middle school directly to secondary and postsecondary academic/technical and career planning.
● Collaborate directly with Durfee’s CTE Program, Regional Vocational and Regional Agricultural school staff to support awareness of high school pathways
● Build awareness of multiple high school pathway options, including comprehensive high school CTE programs, Regional vocational programs and agricultural programs.


EQUAL EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY
Fall River Public Schools admits students and provides programs, services, and opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, homelessness, genetic information, ancestry, disability, age, or military status.


MIDDLE SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION ACTIVITIES
Fall River Public Schools employs a multi-faceted exploration model to ensure middle school students and families are informed and engaged. Exploration activities are tied to students’ career and academic planning (MyCAP) through the digital Naviance platform, which all middle school and high school students have access to. Students complete interest surveys, reflect on exploratory experiences, set goals and align program choices with future college and career goals. A middle school Scope & Sequence by grade level is included in the appendix to demonstrate how exploration is embedded in academic and career planning at the middle school level.


● Middle School College and Career Readiness Activities

  • Middle School Career Pathway/CTE advisory lessons
  • College and Career Readiness Lessons aligned to HS pathway options annually
  • College and Career Readiness Special Events, Fairs, and Tours

● Middle School On-Campus Visits

  • The Durfee CTE Director presents to middle school students at least once annually.
  • Diman Regional Vocational Technical School is invited to present to middle school students at least once annually prior to application deadline
  • Bristol County Agricultural High School is invited to present to middle school students at least once annually prior to application deadline

● B.M.C. Durfee Campus-Based Experiences:

  • 8th Grade Tours: All 8th graders visit B.M.C. Durfee during the regular middle school school day for interactive tours of all 10 CTE programs as well as career connection pathways.
  • CTE Night: Families are formally invited to meet the BMC Durfee CTE teachers, explore facilities, and learn about program offerings.
  • Senior Showcase: Students in grades 6–8 and families attend an annual showcase featuring senior projects, live demonstrations, and student-led Q&A.

● Enrichment Opportunities:

  • Summer Enrichment Camp: Middle schoolers may sign up for 4 or 5 CTE program rotations to experience career pathways firsthand.
  • Program Infographics: Each middle schooler receives program-specific infographics in multiple languages highlighting pathways, certifications, and careers.
  • Program Videos: Professionally developed videos, featuring both teachers and students, highlight each program and are shared with all middle schools.

● Feeder Elective Courses:
Several middle schools offer CTE-aligned elective classes, creating a direct bridge into Durfee programs.
     ■ Current electives include:
         ➢ Engineering (Project Lead The Way) - Talbot, Kuss, Morton
         ➢ Construction - Talbot
         ➢ Culinary Arts - Kuss
         ➢ Criminal Justice - Morton

HIGH SCHOOL PATHWAY OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO STUDENTS
CTE Pathway Options for Fall River Public School Students include:

BMC Durfee High School - Construction Craft, Cosmetology, Criminal Justice, Culinary, Early Education and Care, Engineering, Environmental Science and Technology, Health Assisting, Marketing, Visual Design


Bristol Agriculture Technical School - Animal Science, Floriculture, Arboriculture, Landscape Design, Agricultural, Environmental Conservation


Diman Regional Vocational Technical School -Advanced Manufacturing, Automotive Collision Repair, Repair, and Refinishing, Automotive Technology, Building & Property Maintenance, Business Technology, Carpentry-Cabinetmaking. Culinary Arts, Dental Assisting Drafting, Electricity Electronic, Graphic Communications Health Assisting, HVAC/R (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, & Refrigeration) Medical Assisting, Metal Fabrication & Joining Technologies, Plumbing Programming, & Web Development

 

Middle school College and Career lessons, exploration activities, field trips, and information sessions introduce students to these pathways early, helping them identify interests that align with Durfee’s, Bristol and Diman offerings as well as future careers.


MIDDLE TOUR POLICIES
● All 8th grade students tour Durfee High School’s CTE programs during a scheduled field trip during regular school hours
● Fall River Public Schools will allow middle school students to tour Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School and Bristol County Agricultural High School or other out-of-district schools during the regular middle school day and no penalty to student attendance record.
● Documented participation in a tour for any receiving school or program is considered an excused school activity and does not result in an unexcused absence
● Transportation will be paid for by receiving school district who is hosting the CTE tour


MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
Fall River Public Schools will maintain student records including Digital MyCAP career reflections, exploratory participation data, and student outcome data related to unexcused absences and suspensions under Chapter 37H and/or 37H 1⁄2. These records ensure compliance with DESE policy and help monitor equitable access.

PROVIDING RECORDS TO CTE PROGRAMS
Middle schools provide the CTE office of BMC Durfee High School, and area Vocational and Technical schools with student information needed for admissions and placement as per their policy. If attendance is weighted into the receiving school or program’s lottery, the middle school will provide an attestation whether the student had fewer or more than 27 unexcused absences over the past 270 school days. If discipline is weighed into the lottery, the middle school will provide an attestation whether the student has been suspended via 37H or 37H 1⁄2. The CTE office at Durfee High School will maintain documentation of student participation in presentations, tours, enrichment activities, and family events.

Once a CTE school or program has admitted students, middle schools will provide confirmation that students have ultimately been promoted to ninth grade. These records ensure compliance with DESE policy and help monitor equitable access.


OUTCOMES
Through Fall River Public Schools middle school College and Career readiness activities, students have multiple, equitable opportunities to connect with career exploration and learn about CTE pathways at in-district, regional vocational and regional technical schools. By the end of Grade 8, students will have
access to presentations, tours, enrichment camps, and online resources that prepare them for informed program decisions. This system ensures that all interested students and families leave middle school with the knowledge, context, and preparation necessary to make meaningful, equitable choices about their
educational future.


Appendix C:
Fall River Public Schools Middle School MyCAP Scope and Sequence SY26