Career Clusters/Pathways & Graduation Planning
Pearland ISD is dedicated to helping students become productive, self-sufficient citizens who maintain a high quality of life. In order for this to happen, students must make wise decisions regarding career choices and the educational paths selected to get them there. As students enter high school, they are presented with many new options regarding their education. To assist students in making the most of their high school education, Pearland ISD is moving to a 4 year graduation planning system that not only meets the course requirements for graduation and entry into college, but also helps the students begin preparing for a career area of interest to them. The students will then be able to either continue their studies in college or seek further training in a specialized area.
This 4 year graduation planning system is based on the State's 16 Career Clusters/Pathways model. A career cluster is a grouping of occupations based on commonalities. The model links what students learn in school to the knowledge and skills they need for success in college and beyond. Career clusters are seen as a tool for academic and career guidance and a way to organize course sequences.
Beginning with the graduation class of 2010, our goal is to get all students on an individualized high school plan of study. Counselors, school administrators, and teachers will be assisting students in selecting a career area of interest from one of the 16 career pathways. Individualized graduation plans will then be developed to meet each student's needs. Plans will vary depending on college interests, career interests, and personal goals.
Course selection materials will be organized around the 16 Career Clusters/Pathways model. This will enable students to wisely plan a coherent sequence of courses related to their areas of interest. It is important to note, however, that these plans are for guidance only. Choices in career areas of interest and courses can be changed at anytime.
Pearland ISD is making every effort to ensure that students are prepared for what lies ahead after high school. In the near future, you will be hearing more about the Career Clusters/Pathways model for graduation planning. We will be offering many resources and allocating time during the day for counselors to aide students in answering career-related questions and in gathering data and information needed to make career and education-related decisions.
To get more information about career clusters and related courses, please see the corresponding links on the left navigation bar to career cluster and pathway options. If you have questions about graduation planning based on the career cluster/pathway model, please contact one of your school's guidance counselors or Pearland ISD's Career & Technical Edcuation Coordinator, Michelle Hicks.
"Because of my internship and what I learned in my Health Science courses I was able to obtain a position as a physical therapy aid while pursuing my degree in physical therapy at the university."
-a university student majoring in physical therapy
"Career clusters assist counselors in individualizing students' education plans to help students achieve career goals."
-Nancy Fleming, Assistant Superintendent, David (UT) School District
"Students who participate in the IT cluster at the high school level and meet the required standards - in information support and services, interactive media, network systems, or programming and software development - are better prepared than other students to enter the workforce and to continue their education at the post-secondary level."
-John L. Hall, Senior Vice President, Oracle University