WEST CHATHAM — Simeon Career Academy High School Principal Sheldon House will hold a community meeting to discuss why the school's electricity and automotive technology programs are no longer being offered.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Thursay in the school's auditorium, 8147 S. Vincennes Ave. The elimination of the programs has angered some parents, students and community members.
In a letter to parents that was be posted on the school's website Friday, House explained what led to the programs being discontinued.
"The optimal enrollment for CTE [Career and Technical Education] programs is approximately 85 students per program. Only 57 students were enrolled in Electricity, and of the 57, only 5 percent earned qualifying certifications this past school year," House wrote. "Automotive Technology had 54 students with less than 5 percent earning qualifying certifications. These programs were not attracting new students, and even after providing extensive informational sessions to provide students the value of the programs, interest did not increase."
Other options are available to Simeon students interested in learning a trade.
"Although eliminating these programs was a difficult decision, it did not leave students without other options. Chicago Public Schools and CTE program managers worked with us to create options for impacted students," the letter stated. "Electricity students can continue to pursue a career as an electrician while also earning college credit by choosing to dually enroll in the City Colleges of Chicago while remaining full-time Simeon students. Students will also have the option of one of Simeon’s 12 other CTE programs."
Chicago Teachers Union officials have complained that many suburban school districts have maintained their trade programs while CPS students, who are predominately black and Latino, are left behind.
“These are opportunities that our young African-American and Latino students are missing out on. We are coming out of a recession, so the demand for electricians, machinists, plumbers, carpenters, and all of the other trades are on the rise again,” said Michael Brunson, recording secretary for the teachers union.
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