In July, Starkville High's CTE teachers attended the MS ACTE conference in Biloxi to learn together, gain insight in best practices, and get inspired by fresh ideas. The Career & Technical Education pathways offered through the Millsaps Center at SHS provide students with project- and work-based learning opportunities in a variety of fields, and each 2-year program includes job-related certifications. Mississippi offers a CTE diploma endorsement for pathway completers that may be earned in addition to the state's other diploma options.
The Millsaps team also welcomed Cyber Foundations and Keystone teachers from Partnership Middle School and Armstrong Junior High School as part of the SOCSD delegation. These courses at the middle school and junior high level offer students learning in national career clusters and personal interests that help them determine whether they would like to pursue a CTE pathway and diploma endorsement in high school.
As part of their coursework, students participating in a CTE pathway at the Millsaps Center enjoy learning opportunities that include industry site visits, job shadowing and student internships that can turn into real-world jobs after high school. They also have the opportunity to participate in a number of industry-centered skills-based organizations and competitive teams where they can show their job skills in their chosen CTE pathway.
Students at Starkville High School and the Millsaps Center take an assessment and may earn the ACT WorkKeys National Career Readiness certificate, which measures and certifies essential work skills needed for success in jobs across a variety industries and occupations.
