High School Program Helps More Students Graduate And Prepare For Future Jobs

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What is the Specialist High Skills Major program?

The Specialist High Skills Major program is a bundle of eight to 10 courses that is targeted to the student's selected field.  Students learn everything that they normally would, but the course content is tailored to make it more relevant to the career path that matches their individual goals and interests.

• gives students the opportunity to explore, identify and refine career goals and make informed decisions related to postsecondary education or training and the next steps towards a career.
• helps students gain confidence in their ability to succeed, and see the connections between their studies, the world beyond high school and their future careers
• allows students to earn industry-recognized certifications, such as first-aid and CPR
• helps students begin to establish relationships and networks in their chosen field

 

Information on 2009-2010 majors

There are 16 Specialist High Skills Majors being offered for the 2009-10 school year:

Specialist High Skills Majors are now available in:

• Agriculture
• Arts and Culture
• Aviation and Aerospace
• Business
• Construction
• Energy
• Environment
• Forestry
• Health and Wellness
• Hospitality and Tourism
• Horticulture and Landscaping
• Information and Communications Technology
• Justice, Community Safety, and Emergency Services
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Transportation

 

Specialist High Skills Majors are available in more than 430 high schools and at every school board in the province with a high school. Roughly 20,000 students will take one of the 16 majors this year, compared with 600 students just three years ago.

 

Results of Student Success programs

 

Over the last five years, the province has introduced new programs that better engage high school students.  Instead of using a one-size-fits-all approach, these programs, for example, the Specialist High Skills Majors, allow students to customize their high school experience to match their strengths, interests and career goals. This creates a more engaging learning environment for students and better prepares them to pursue future opportunities beyond high school.

A direct result of these supports and resources has been a gradual increase in the number of students graduating from high school each year.

Last year, 77 per cent of Ontario students graduated with a high school diploma, two percentage points more than in 2006-07. This represents an increase of nine percentage points - or 13,500 more students graduating annually - compared to 2003-04.

CHECK OUT THESE RESOURCES - 

Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM)	Date Added	Audience	Download
Agriculture	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Arts & Culture	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Business	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Construction	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Health & Wellness	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Horticulture & Landscaping	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Hospitality & Tourism	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Information & Communications	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Manufacturing	September 2009	SHSM	Download
Transportation	September 2009	SHSM	Download

 

Specialist High Skills Major Student Activity

June 2009

SHSM

Download

 

Specialist High Skills Major	Ministry of Education Student Success Program	SHSM
More ways to succeed in high school	Ministry of Education - Guide for students and parents	More ways to succeed

 

CLICK HERE  FOR MORE INFORMATION !  

Specialist High Skills Major