ESC Region 12 ~ Targeting Tomorrow

Title:	TARGETING TOMORROW: An Innovative Concept for Career Development
Location / Contact:	Waco ISD Donna McKethan E-mail: (dmckethan@wacoisd.org) Phone: 755-9574
Short Synopsis:	Increasing career awareness and student enrollment in Career and Technology Education
Description:	Waco ISD’s Career and Technology Education (CATE) department employs a unique tool to increase career awareness and student enrollment. Each month CATE students host “Targeting Tomorrow”, a television program highlighting career opportunities that is produced by the district’s Educational Access Channel. The show links high school pathways to area colleges and businesses. CATE teachers provide commercials, called TECH TIPS, which are short technology lessons. “Targeting Tomorrow” has played a vital role in increased CATE enrollment as well as improved community awareness.
Evidence of success:	Dramatic longitudinal data show an increase in CATE enrollment. In 2002- 2003 78.6% of all WISD students enrolled in at least one or more CATE class. Campus breakdown - 94.5% at A J Moore Academy, 82.3% at University High School, 70.7% at Waco High School. Student enrollment in all CATE classes increased. At University High School, participation in Health Science Technology increased from 40 students in 01- 02 to 160 students in 02 – 03. At A. J. Moore, participation in Engineering Principles increased from 40 students in 01 - 02 to 60 students in 02- 03. At Waco High School, participation in Business Computers Information Systems increased from 310 students in 01 - 02 to 400 students in 02 – 03.
Recognition:	Waco ISD’s “Targeting Tomorrow” program was featured at the 2003 Administrator’s Midwinter Conference on Education and at the 2003 Career and Technology Administrators of Texas Conference in Austin, Texas. Targeting Tomorrow also won a Silver Star from the Texas School Public Relations Association.