Carson City School District

Carson City School District

Consolidated Work-based Learning Report

School Year 2021-2022

Work-based Learning Coordinator, Marc Rodina

Work-based Learning Committee:
Tasha Fuson
Cheryl Macy
Amy Freismidl
Candi (Ruf) Robles
Susan Roman
Bridget Gordon-Johnson 

Report Submitted by: Candi (Ruf) Robles

PRINTABLE PDF VERSION HERE

The Carson City School District follows the Guide to Work-based Learning, Policy and Practice for Secondary Schools published by the Nevada Department of Education, Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning & Education Options (2020). Marc Rodina, Work-based Learning Coordinator, facilitated all work-based learning opportunities with the support of the Work-Based Learning Committee, which included the following members: Tasha Fuson, Associate Superintendent of Educational Services; Cheryl Macy, Director of Equity in Curriculum & Instruction; Amy Freismidl, CTE Vice Principal; Candi (Ruf) Robles, CTE Coordinator; Susan Roman, Career Center Specialist; and Bridget Gordon-Johnson, Carson High School CTE Lead Counselor. In addition, work-based learning activities and efforts were supported by administration on the various district sites, District Curriculum Coordinators, and support staff.

According to the published guide, “Work-based learning is an educational strategy that offers students the opportunity to connect classroom learning to authentic business/industry experiences. Work-based learning in Nevada is described as a continuum of experiences that help prepare students for postsecondary education and careers. The goal of work-based learning is to assist students to be college and career ready through authentic connections to business and industry related to the student’s career interest.” The Work-based Learning Coordinator attended monthly Work-based Learning virtual meetings hosted by the Office of Career Readiness, Adult Learning, and Education Opportunities (CRALEO) and collaborated with regional work-based learning coordinators on data collection and best practices. Finally, the Work-based Learning Coordinator attended the Nevada Association of Career and Technical Education (NACTE) Summer Conference in July 2022 to learn more about work-based learning across Nevada and ACTE Region V.

The guide provides the following governance guidance: “The authority governing work-based learning is NRS 389.167 as amended in Senate Bill No. 66, Statutes of Nevada 2017, on page 4334 and NAC 389.825 and NAC 389.562-389.566. The statute covering registered apprenticeships is found in NRS 610 as created in Senate Bill 516 and NAC 610 as well as 29 CRF Parts 29 and 30.”

The guide provides the following information describing the relationship between work-based learning and Career and Technical Education: “Nevada’s plan for the Strengthening CTE for the 21st Century Act (aka Perkins V) outlines the increase in work-based learning opportunities as one of the seven strategic goals for career and technical education (CTE). High-quality CTE work-based learning programs incorporate four critical components: academic alignment, employer engagement, preparation or support of industry-recognized credentials, and connection to employment.” Data gathered throughout SY2021-2022 is shared in the Carson City School District Perkins V Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment (CLNA) by Career Cluster and the CTE Perkins Consolidated Annual Report (CAR).  

Nevada’s Work-based Learning Continuum

*Figure 1 Continuum for Work-based Learning

The Work-based Learning Report for high school students was submitted in June 2022, following Nevada Department of Education guidelines. Figure 2 is a disaggregation of the data submitted. Data and narrative for each measured component will follow in the Career Exploration, Career Preparation, and Career Training sections.

*Figure 2 Work-based Learning Data Disaggregation

*Totals in this section are unduplicated and reflect only high school students as reported to Nevada Department of Education, June 2022.

**Totals in this section may be duplicated, i.e., students may have completed more than one work-based learning experience.

Career Exploration

Career Exploration activities may begin as early as elementary school land continue through ninth grade. These activities include career fairs, guest speakers from business/industry, and industry tours in order to explore careers and the workplace environment.

The Work-based Learning Coordinator worked with each elementary, middle school, and high school campus to provide contact information for business and industry representatives from all sectors as requested. The Work-based Learning Coordinator updated the list of industry representatives throughout the year to ensure contact information was up to date for ease in access. In addition, the Work-based Learning Coordinator made connections with local and regional business who contacted him. Notable contacts included CGI in Carson City and The Public Restroom Company in Minden.

In collaboration with the K-12 Science Coordinator, the Work-based Learning Coordinator accompanied 71 middle school girls on a STEM field trip to Tesla. Students toured the facility, participated in hands-on STEM activities, and received a snack. Tesla continues to be a strong partner in providing opportunities for women in STEM.

Nevada Department of Education provides funding for Nepris, now Pathful Connect, which brings virtual work-based learning opportunities into the classroom. The Work-based Learning Coordinator attended Nepris trainings and facilitated trainings with district staff.

Carson High School Career Fair held Tuesday, October 19, 2021 through Friday, October 22, 2021 in Freshman Seminar Classes. Students were choice grouped by presenter for live stream or recorded career presentations and aligned with the Career Exploration Unit. Live Stream participants included representatives from the Nevada Department of Transportation; the Carson City Sheriff’s Office; Vineburg Manufacturing; Honey Beekeeping LLC; Lofty Expressions, Interior Design; Theilen Photography; Southwest Gas; The Greenhouse Project; and Carson Tahoe Hospital. Recorded videos available for all Freshman Seminar students and classes interested in the prerecorded presentations included representatives from Carson City Pediatric Dentistry; Kate McCaffrey, Athletic Trainer; Paul Mitchell Cosmetology School; Western Nevada College CTE Credit (Gregory Sly); Bureau of Land Management; Nevada Productions; and Eagle Valley Children’s Home.

Carson High School Job Fair was held Wednesday, April 6, 2022 in the Carson High School Big Gym. Pioneer Academy student were invited to attend. Representatives from nine industry business/industry groups staffed 79 booths, shared hiring and on-boarding processes, and took applications from students attending the Job Fair scheduled from 9:00am-11:00am. Business/Industry Groups included: Retail (2); Food/Hospitality (12); Healthcare (7); Military/Public Safety (7); Information Technology (2); Manufacturing/Skilled Labor (26); Education/Human Services (13); and Job Training/Staffing/Post-Secondary (9).

Career Preparation

Career Preparation activities are for high school students. They provide a more direct experience in a certain field or industry through job shadowing, school based enterprises, simulated workplaces, or similar experiences. Students begin to practice employability skills and technical skills in a limited way through school- or employer-based activities.

Students enrolled in the EDU110 course, a dual credit Educator training course in partnership with Western Nevada College, job shadowed elementary, middle school and high school teachers as a part of their instruction. Students interacted with teachers, provided support to learners, and got first-hand experience working with students in the instructional setting. 

Several School-based Enterprises provided career preparation experiences for Career and Technical Education (CTE) students. Students in the Culinary Arts Program of Study hosted a Sandwich Shop throughout the school year. Students provided menu options for staff members; prepared sandwiches, salads, and desserts; assembled, packaged, delivered orders, and collected fees. Proceeds from the Culinary Arts Sandwich Shop were used to support consumable purchases such as food and classroom culinary lab supplies. The Photography Program of Study provided opportunities for students and families to have their professional photographs taken at the following events: Carson High School Craft Fair, Winterfest Dance, Prom, and the Father-Daughter Dance. Proceeds from the various photo booth events were used to purchase consumable supplies such as mat board and portfolios for the classroom, and camera/lens replacements. Students enrolled in PLTW Introduction to Engineering Design, the Level 1 class of the Architecture & Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering Programs of Study, took orders for and produced over 50 corn hole sets for sale to staff and the community. Students applied their safety training, design/build skills, and design skills to manufacture and sell these items. 

Students in the Photography Program of Study were asked to take portraits of Nevada Department of Education (NDE) staff and Nevada State Board of Education members for state publication. In both photo sessions, students met with NDE staff to determine needs, set up the portrait studio based on the NDE request, and took the portraits. In the fall, students created a portrait studio at the Nevada Department of Education. In the spring, photographs were taken in the Photography studio at Carson High School.

Students in the Graphic Design programs of study followed the design process, met and collaborated with district, site, and community members to create logos for rebranding and art for the following: Carson High School Library (rebranding logo); The Raven and the Crow Book Cover #2 (Three Ravens Publishing); Carson High School Yearbook Cover Art celebrating Carson High School sesquicentennial; Eagle Valley Middle School partnership for a new logo and branding for the Digital Designers Class; Carson High School GSA Club partnership logo; Carson City Public Works logo for beautification of Highway 50; Bordewich Bray Elementary School logo and rebranding art for campus; Rucking Patches design  for the Sierra Nevada Rucking Club; Eagle Valley Middle School and Carson Middle School CTE logos; and new “C” logo for Principal Chambers used for Carson High School staff shirts.

Career Training

Career Training activities require the advanced high school student to apply technical and employability skills in a work setting through internships, clinical experiences, paid work experience, and similar activities in a career field of interest at an employer’s workplace.

Traditionally, students enrolled in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Program of Study participate in a clinical experience at Carson Tahoe Hospital. Because of the increasing number of students from Western Nevada College who are scheduled for clinical rotations at the hospital and COVID protocols, Carson High School EMT students were not able to participate in the clinical experiences in the Carson Tahoe Hospital ER. The Health Sciences CTE instructors worked with the district and Sheila Story, Chief Nurse/School Nurse at Carson High School to provide students with this clinical experience.