L-K is preparing students for life after high school

By Trevor Rogers

L-KCISD believes strongly in the idea that our primary role is to prepare students for life after school.  
If a student wants to attend college, we are to do all that we can to get them ready for the increased rigor of a college curriculum. On the other hand, if a student wants to enter the workforce, it’s our responsibility to help them obtain a skill that will allow them to be more marketable in the workplace.  
Along with the academic needs of a student, our goal is also to develop a student’s communication skills. We are also to teach them important life skills such as responsibility, a solid work ethic, and self-discipline.  Linden-Kildare offers over 30 hours of dual credit for our students who want to attend college.  Each of these courses is considered part of the “core” areas that are included in most degree plans for typical college degrees. These courses are commonly referred to as the “basics.”  
A couple of years ago, the state legislature passed a rule stating that all of these core courses taught at an accredited junior college/community college must transfer to all four-year colleges and universities. Before the rule was passed students may have taken a basic level dual credit course in HS that would not be accepted at a four year college. L-K CISD partners with Texarkana College for its dual credit program.  Since TC is an accredited school, all of our dual credit courses for the “basic” core classes will be accepted in any college in Texas.
Along with our basic dual credit offerings, we also offer dual credit courses through our nursing program. Students interested in becoming a nurse have the option of getting some of their college course work behind them while still in high school.  
Our nursing program also recently received a grant for $16,000 that will allow us to purchase simulation mannequins for the students to practice their nursing skills on. The mannequins have life like features such as the various vital signs. The mannequins will provide great hands-on exposure for our students. 
Beginning this year, we have developed a partnership with Texas State Technical College in Marshall to offer dual credit in welding. Students can receive nine hours of dual credit in welding for the total cost of $50.00. For both our nursing and our welding program, we also offer Texas Workforce Certifications.  Certifications are also possible through our floral design, law enforcement, and our business information management programs.  
Next year, we are planning to develop a culinary arts program that will help prepare students for careers in the food service industry. We are extremely excited to say that we recently received a grant in excess of $70,000 to help purchase the necessary equipment needed to have a commercial kitchen which is needed for the culinary program. The goal is to plan for the course, purchase and install the equipment, etc. and be ready to offer the program in the 2017-2018 school year. We hope that by offering these wide range of programs and choices that we are accomplishing our goal of preparing our students for life!
The 2016-2017 school year is off to a smooth start!  Be sure to cheer on our students throughout the year as they participate in various activities. Please let us know if we can help you in any way or if you have a question about L-KCISD.
Trevor Rogers is superintendent of Linden-Kildare CISD.