The plan: The focus of both short and long-term planning for the Rogers Public Schools CTE department is aligning Career & Technical Education programs with both current and projected employment data designed to meet local workforce demands.

• The district’s partnership with the Rogers-Lowell Area Chamber of Commerce has been a valuable resource for educators and students in the continued effort to design programs that help increase awareness and knowledge of employment trends within the Medical and Health Service industries.
• With the increasing demand for skilled workers in a broad spectrum of jobs within the Medical and Health Service industries in Northwest Arkansas, Rogers Public Schools will continue to seek viable programs and certification training programs that will help prepare our students for successful careers within the medical and health care fields.

Middle schools: Students are introduced to many types of careers, including health science careers. Students have opportunities to participate in job shadowing experiences in careers related to health sciences. Students may also enroll in the Medical Detectives course offered to 7th-8th grade students at each middle school campus.

• This course is offered by Project Lead the Way (PLTW) and is based on national curriculum that incorporates high interest and engaging STEM based learning activities that align with medical and health service area topics.

High schools: Students are offered several Medical and Health Service-related programs and courses. Student enrollment in this program of study has increased over the past several years.

• Plans are underway to carry out the Emergency Medical Responder concurrent credit courses at Rogers New Technology High School in January 2023.

Launch Extended Learning Program: Students may also enroll in medical courses through the Launch Extended Learning Program. 

• Certification and training courses are offered at no cost to RPS students and provide opportunities for many students to begin preparing for in-demand jobs within the Medical and Health Service career fields.

Get certified: There are several health science related industry certifications that students may obtain prior to high school graduation.

• Why it’s important: Industry recognized certifications benefit students and prospective employers—they represent a standard for academic and performance-based proficiency.
• Bright futures: This will help ensure a pipeline of skilled, qualified workers to fill health care positions.
• Dig deeper: Students have the opportunity to attain industry certifications and credentials.

Stronger Together: The Rogers Public Schools is interested in establishing partnerships with healthcare organizations to offer students opportunities to expand the scope of their experiences within this career field through job shadowing, internships, work-related field trips and mentorship projects. 

Join us: The district would also like to extend an invitation and opportunity for health care professions to share information through classroom visits. Contact Dawn Stewart, Director of Career and Technical Education at 479.636.3910 to learn about partnership opportunities and endeavors.