years or more,” he adds. CCSD’s commitment to literacy has already yielded impressive results. By adopting a new reading curriculum and redesigning instructional approaches, the district has made measurable progress.“This past year’s third-grade class had the highest passage rate of any class since the standards were increased to college and career readiness,” Talbert explains. “We’ve significantly closed the gaps caused by COVID in every other grade level,” he adds. Beyond literacy, CCSD has positioned itself as a leader in STEM and STEAM education. The district is home to the county’s only state-approved STEM school, a STEAM Academy that incorporates science, technology, engineering, arts, math, and even medicine. Students engage in hands-on learning through programs in agriculture, horticulture, and engineering, with partnerships from major organizations like Cleveland Clinic and Marathon Oil. By expanding STEM pathways from elementary through high school, CCSD ensures students are well-prepared for the future. HANDS-ON LEARNING, REAL-WORLD SUCCESS: CCSD’S CAREER PATHWAYS CCSD is dedicated to equipping students with real-world skills through its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. With 16 specialized programs, CCSD provides students hands-on learning experiences that prepare them for in-demand careers. Gary Kandel, Director of Secondary Education, highlights the district’s approach: “one of the things we pride ourselves on is giving our students and our families choice and options.” CCSD’s culinary arts program is a prime example of this hands-on education. “Our students actually operate an on-site restaurant here in the district, which I actually got lunch from yesterday,” Kandel says. In welding, students not only learn the trade but also gain early employment experience.“We have a great partnership with a company, Ohio Gratings, where our welding students actually are able to be hired while they’re in school and earn a paycheck while mastering their craft,” he explains. In construction, students had the opportunity to 4 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 03
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