Dale County School Districts Collaborate for CTE Cross-Enrollment

Dale County Schools and Ozark City Schools have formed a partnership that allows students to attend career and technical education (CTE) classes across their districts. Students will choose the best possible program for their education needs, regardless of which district offers it.

“This is a brand new option for students, and we expect students to take advantage of it in the spring semester,” says Lisa Welch, Career Tech Director at the Dale County Board of Education. “Our goal has always been to create new opportunities for students.”

Students can also earn college credit while enrolled in CTE coursework. These classes prepare students to enter the workforce after graduation or to continue their education at one of the local universities. 

Collaboration Eliminates the Need to Duplicate Resources 

Students in Dale County can participate in CTE classes at two locations in the community:

• Bridge Academy, run by Dale County Schools, offers diesel mechanic training and welding as part of its cross-district pathways. 
• Carroll High School Career Center, run by Ozark City Schools, will offer masonry and drafting for its cross-district options.

Both CTE centers offer other coursework for students, but the opportunity for collaboration made sense for these four programs. Diesel mechanic instruction, for example, takes up a significant amount of space and requires heavy, at times expensive, resources. Ozark City Schools saves space by sending students to Bridge Academy instead of building its own mechanic program.

“Bridge Academy has grown to the point where it has filled its programs,” says Welch. “If we wanted to add a diesel mechanic program, we would need more shop space.”

The schools can work smarter, not harder, as they expand their CTE programs, ensuring students receive quality education without duplicating efforts. Both CTE centers are only a few miles apart, so students don’t lose time during the day traveling between programs. 

Both Districts Work Closely With Nearby Colleges 

Students enrolled in CTE coursework can receive credits from Wallace Community College, Enterprise State Community College, and Lurleen B. Wallace (LBW) Community College, depending on their career pathway. Many students will either earn a certificate or continue their education after graduation. This dual-enrollment program allows students to attend college for free (except for a few course materials) until they complete high school.

“Our higher education partners are wonderful to work with,” says Welch. “Our students benefit by exploring pathways that interest them and completing college coursework early on, while the colleges benefit from building a pipeline to enroll students after they graduate high school.”

Both Dale County Schools and Ozark City Schools meet with students to decide whether they want to attend a two-year or four-year college after graduation, enter the workforce, or pursue a different path, such as enlisting in the armed forces.  

Students Can Enroll in CTE Coursework in 10th Grade 

In both systems, students can begin taking CTE courses in 9th grade and then begin dual-enrollment classes in 10th grade. Students are first introduced to CTE classes in middle school, and career counselors work one-on-one to identify the right pathways and schedules.

“We are very excited to launch this partnership on our end,” says Shanna Doran, Curriculum and CTE Director. “We can expand the opportunities we offer students without any added cost to either district. We are already looking into expanding this partnership in the years to come.”

Dale County also has partnerships with nearby Pike County and the City of Troy to share CTE resources.

One of the coolest parts of this relationship is that students have more flexibility in their schedules. This allows them to focus on other interests and activities, exploring different paths while they are still in school.

“We have so many students who are athletes, who are interested in band or art, need ACT prep, take AP courses, or simply have other coursework they are interested in,” says Doran. “The more flexible we can be, the more students can participate in as many things as they want.” 

A Strong CTE Pipeline Benefits the Dale County Economy

There are long-term benefits to Dale County developing strong CTE programs across all of its school districts. The schools listen to what companies need and develop programs to hone students' skills and knowledge. When these teens graduate, they are better prepared to enter the workforce and succeed in roles that nearby companies are hiring for.

“We want to entice students to learn skills that are needed in the community,” says Welch.

Local companies have started to notice the Ozark and Dale County CTE programs, and more business owners are getting involved and offering their training and development resources. They realize their future workforce can be found in these schools. Not only do their efforts help with future employee training, but they also contribute to population retention. High school graduates can see a future for themselves in Dale County. 

Workforce Development is Found Across Dale County

Businesses can find workforce development throughout Ozark and Dale County, Alabama. Along with the K-12 partners, the local colleges offer a variety of training and upskilling programs. There are also programs that support the adult workforce and collaborate with companies that need trained individuals.

You can find the employees you need when you bring your business to Dale County. Contact our team at the Ozark-Dale Economic Development Corporation to discuss your needs. Let’s see how we can help you.