By Chriss Burke
? ? Beginning with the 2010-2011 school year Kennedale ISD made a decision to greatly increase the Career and Technology offering to their students. One of the programs that began as a part of this initiative was the Health Science Technology program. The program is designed to introduce students to the wide variety of medical careers available. ?For each of the past two years students have focused on acquiring the prerequisite knowledge and skills to begin gaining experience in the healthcare field. {{more}}
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? ? This fall 9 junior and senior students have enrolled in the Health Science Practicum which allow them to gain work-based experience while still in high school. ?Currently students are working in outpatient physical therapy, veterinary and long term skilled nursing settings. Each student volunteers a minimum of 4 hours per week at their selected facility. The students are dismissed early from school spending the classroom time at their facility. Currently, there are about 120 students in grades 9-12 enrolled throughout the program. It is hoped that in the future the program will further expand a simulation lab to give students realistic experiences in the classroom and that students will have the opportunity to gain certification in a number of entry level careers while in high school. Those interested in the Health Science Technology program may contact Mr. Chriss Burke at KHS or Dr Missy Glenn at the KISD Administrative Offices.