On February 27, 2024, Central Florida’s educational landscape was poised for transformation. Key leaders including Dr. Maria Vazquez, Superintendent of Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), Dr. Mark Shanoff, Superintendent of School District of Osceola County (SDOC), Dr. Kathleen Plinske, President of Valencia College, Dr. Alexander Cartwright, President of University of Central Florida (UCF), Paul Luna, President and CEO of Helios Education Foundation, and Dr. Brandon McKelvey, Exec VP Administrative Services at Valencia College convened at the annual CFEED partnership vision meeting. Their vision session aimed to inform educational and career pathways, by leveraging CFEED’s data and analytics. This gathering marked a crucial step in aligning education with the demands of emerging industries, a move that promises to shape the future of the region’s workforce and its children for years to come. Explore the decisive insights and strategies born from this collaboration, heralding a new era for Central Florida.
Addressing Chronic Absenteeism and Post-Pandemic Habits:
First, like a doctor diagnosing a patient, the leaders knew they had to identify the root of the problem and Dr. Maria Vazquez highlighted a troubling symptom: chronic absenteeism. Much like how persistent coughs can signal deeper health issues, the lack of student attendance was a red flag indicating deeper issues within the educational system, worsened by the pandemic’s disruptions. It was clear that getting students back to school was as crucial as understanding why they were staying away in the first place. The answer lay in one word: engagement.
This led Dr. Vazquez to pose a pivotal question, “How do we change tactics to reinvigorate engagement?” Recognizing that the traditional school system hasn’t drastically evolved to meet today’s needs, she emphasized the importance of finding innovative ways to engage students during their time at school. This sparked a conversation about not just improving attendance but making the time students spend in school truly captivating and relevant to their futures.
Addressing this challenge means expanding our focus to blend students’ strengths (70%) with their interests (30%). This strategy fosters a cycle of improvement and confidence by encouraging students to build on their natural talents, potentially guiding them toward their passions. This approach aims to steer students toward meaningful achievements and personal fulfillment. By connecting education with real-world opportunities, we aim to ignite their interest in learning, demonstrating the value of their efforts in tangible terms.
Fostering Industry Partnerships and Career Awareness:
After diving in on how to make education more engaging and relevant, Dr. Mark Shanoff introduced insights from the Osceola Prosper data, emphasizing the crucial need to adapt education to meet both the individual interests and skills of students with the evolving requirements of Central Florida’s job market. This adaptation involves harnessing both existing and new partner data, alongside CFEED’s analytics, to tailor educational pathways that directly align with the workforce’s changing landscape.
A central question arose: In the face of today’s rapidly shifting job market, is a certificate or a traditional four-year degree more beneficial? The consensus highlighted a need for flexibility in educational offerings, focusing on matching education with each student’s skills and the demands of the job market through direct exposure and exploration.
The leaders underscored the importance of exposing students to a variety of career opportunities, particularly in thriving sectors such as Healthcare, Entertainment, Hospitality, Aerospace, and Semiconductors. Industry partnerships were identified as key to achieving this goal, providing students with internships and opportunities to connect with professionals, thereby igniting their interest in potential career paths.
Special attention was given to the integration of new immigrants into Orlando’s educational and economic fabric. Recognizing the unique challenges and aspirations of immigrant families, the leaders committed to clear communication about the value of education in building a successful future in the region. This approach aims to ensure that all students, including those from immigrant backgrounds, see a clear, accessible path from their educational journey to a rewarding career.
Envisioning a robust network of opportunities, the dialogue centered on creating a comprehensive ecosystem that connects students’ educational paths with the development of in-demand skills and career possibilities. This network is more than a bridge; it’s a superhighway to success, thoughtfully designed with the future in mind, ensuring that students are not only prepared for the jobs of tomorrow but are also excited about the journey ahead.
Future Planning and Continuum of Educational Opportunities:
Exploring future pathways, the leaders delved into Central Florida’s emerging role in the rapidly evolving educational and economic environment. With the next year mapped out, they focused on key areas like understanding workforce needs, addressing chronic absenteeism, and ramping up student engagement. With the rapid changes in the region, a sense of urgency was palpable; staying ahead meant adapting quickly and effectively.
To tackle these challenges head-on, the group decided on an action plan. This plan includes making the most of CFEED’s data to inform their strategies, using AI to tailor the learning experience to each student, and crafting marketing approaches that boost engagement by showing students how their skills can open doors in the workforce.
One leader summed it up perfectly, envisioning an educational journey that perfectly aligns with students’ needs, institutional offerings, and community expectations. This vision for a continuous flow of education opportunities aims to ensure no student is left behind as they transition from learning to earning.
This annual gathering underscored the commitment of Central Florida’s educational leaders to not just keep pace with change but to lead it. Through their collaborative efforts, data-driven decisions, and a focus on linking education directly with future job markets, they’re setting the stage for a future where every student finds their place and thrives.
For more information, contact Diana Pienaar, CFEED Director, Valencia College, at dpienaar@valenciacollege.edu or visit http://www.cfeedhome.com.
About CFEED
The CFEED partnership includes Orange County Public Schools (OCPS), School District of Osceola County (SDOC), University of Central Florida (UCF), Valencia College and Midtown Consulting Group. With support from Helios Education Foundation, CFEED partners are engaged in a Collaborative Design Phase to grow organizational capacity and develop hypotheses on student readiness, through an innovative project intended to support student success all along the pre-kindergarten to postsecondary continuum. The Central Florida Education Eco System Database (CFEED) brings together four large-scale education institutions under one collaborative initiative, funded by Helios Education Foundation, to share information, identify opportunities to enhance learning, and propel the educational attainment of all Central Florida students.