WMS CTE Policy
Westport Middle School is committed to ensuring all students are informed about and have access to career technical education (CTE) opportunities available to them as they transition to high school. This policy outlines how our district will collaborate with CTE schools and programs to provide comprehensive pathway exploration experiences for all middle school students.
Statement of Goals
Westport Middle School aims to:
- Expose all students to diverse career pathways and technical education opportunities
- Connect middle school learning experiences to future academic and career planning
- Provide equitable access to information about all high school options
- Support informed decision-making regarding secondary education choices
- Foster early career awareness and exploration through hands-on experiences
High School Pathway Options Available to Students
Career Technical Education Schools
● Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School
Location: Fall River, MA
Programs: Automotive Technology, Culinary Arts, Electrical, Health Assisting, Information Technology, Carpentry, Cosmetology, Engineering Technology, Graphic Communications, HVAC, Machine Tool Technology, Masonry, Metal
Fabrication & Welding, Plumbing
Fabrication & Welding, Plumbing
Connection to Planning: Programs align with high-demand career fields and provide pathways to both immediate employment and post-secondary education
● Bristol County Agricultural High School
Location: Dighton, MA
Programs: Animal Science, Environmental Science & Technology, Horticulture, Natural Resources Management, Plant & Soil Science, Agricultural Mechanics, Food Science & Technology Connection to Planning: Programs connect to agricultural careers, environmental sciences, and sustainable technology fields with strong post-secondary partnerships
Traditional High School Options: Westport High School (comprehensive and Innovation Career Pathways programming)
Middle School Career Exploration
MyCAP Implementation
Westport Middle School integrates career exploration through our comprehensive MyCAP (My Career and Academic Plan) implementation:
Grades 5 and 6 through Foundations of Career Readiness:
Introduction to career clusters and interest inventories
Exploration of personal strengths and learning styles
Basic understanding of education pathways
Grade 7 through Small Group Guidance Seminars:
Career cluster deep dives with guest speakers
Introduction to CTE programs and traditional academic tracks
Skills assessment and goal setting
Grade 8 through Small Group Guidance Seminars:
High school planning and application processes
Academic and career shadowing opportunities
Portfolio development and reflection
Additional Information:
MEFA Pathways
Community Partnerships (MassHire Bristol)
Career Fairs
Awareness Activities and Procedures
Annual Information Sessions in Grades 5-8:
● Information packets distributed to all families
● Innovation Career Pathways informational nights
● Why Westport? Virtual forum
Ongoing Collaboration:
● Integration of career themes into academic curriculum
● Virtual information sessions and program showcases
● Integration of career discussions in core classes
Middle School CTE Tour Policies
Tour Opportunities
Westport Middle School will provide all students with opportunities to tour CTE facilities during regular school hours;
Westport High School Tours:
Scheduled tours during Grade 8
Transportation provided by hosting school
Tours include hands-on demonstrations and student interaction
Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School Tours:
Scheduled tours during Grade 8
Shadow opportunities
Bristol County Agricultural High School Tours:
Annual farm and facility tours
Seasonal programming showcases
Transportation costs assumed by hosting institution
Attendance Policy
Students participating in approved CTE tours will receive excused absences upon confirmation of participation from the hosting CTE school or program. Parents will be notified in advance of tour dates and permission forms must be completed.
Tour Scheduling Tours
Tours scheduled to minimize disruption to core academic instruction
Multiple tour dates offered to accommodate all interested students
Make-up opportunities provided for students who miss scheduled tours
Providing Records to CTE Schools and Programs
Westport Middle School will support the CTE admission process by:
●Releasing the names and addresses of all 7th and 8th grade students to the CTE schools by October 15 of each year.
● The school will only share information requested by the CTE that is relevant to the application policy for the CTE school (i.e. attendance, discipline, student interest).
● The school will not release transcript information until after a student is enrolled in a CTE school.
● The school will only share information requested by the CTE that is relevant to the application policy for the CTE school (i.e. attendance, discipline, student interest).
● The school will not release transcript information until after a student is enrolled in a CTE school.
Maintenance of Records
Westport Middle School will maintain comprehensive records including:
Tour Participation:
Student attendance logs for all CTE tours`
MyCAP Implementation:
Individual student career portfolios
Assessment results and interest inventories
Goal-setting documentation and progress monitoring
Policy Implementation:
Annual attestation documentation
Communication logs with families and students
Record Retention
All documentation will be maintained according to district policy and state requirements, with digital and physical copies stored securely and accessed only by authorized personnel.
It is the policy of the Westport Community Schools to maintain a learning and working environment that is free from harassment, violence or discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex/gender, marital status, homelessness, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, family care leave status, pregnancy or any condition related to pregnancy, or military/veteran status.