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Future Pathways

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rramirez

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Future Pathways Lesson Plan

Students will identify in-demand CTE pathways at Banning High School and analyze the Riverside County job outlook to make informed post-graduation plans.

This lesson connects school programs to real-world opportunities, empowering seniors to choose CTE pathways aligned with local labor demand and their career goals.

Audience

12th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive presentation with data analysis and discussion.

Materials

Future Pathways Slide Deck

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Future Pathways Slide Deck
  • Familiarize yourself with current CTE programs at Banning High School
  • Gather up-to-date Riverside County job outlook statistics (e.g., Bureau of Labor data)

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and share lesson objectives
  • Explain the importance of exploring CTE pathways and local job outlooks
  • Display slide 1: “Why CTE Matters” from Future Pathways Slide Deck

Step 2

CTE Pathways Overview

10 minutes

  • Present slides 2–5: highlight in-demand CTE pathways at Banning High (e.g., Health Science, Information Technology, Engineering)
  • For each pathway, note key skills taught and industry certifications available
  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share if they’re interested in any of the pathways

Step 3

Job Outlook Analysis

10 minutes

  • Present slides 6–8: Riverside County employment data for each pathway (projected growth, median wages)
  • Guide students to interpret charts: which industries are growing fastest?
  • Ask students to jot down one surprising statistic in their notes

Step 4

Reflection Discussion

3 minutes

  • Pose discussion prompts:
    • Which CTE program aligns most with your interests?
    • How does the local job outlook influence your decision?
  • Have students turn to a partner and share their takeaways

Step 5

Assessment (Exit Ticket)

2 minutes

  • Distribute an exit ticket (digital or paper):
    1. Name your top CTE pathway choice.
    2. Cite one local job outlook statistic that supports your choice.
  • Collect responses as students leave

Step 6

Differentiation Strategies

Ongoing

  • Provide printed copies of slides or data tables for students with reading challenges
  • Offer advanced learners a research extension: identify one additional local employer hiring in a chosen pathway
  • For English learners, pre-teach key vocabulary (e.g., “median wage,” “projected growth”)
  • Pair students strategically for peer support throughout activities
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Slide Deck

Why CTE Matters

  • Hands-on training linked directly to in-demand jobs
  • Industry certifications that boost employability
  • Pathways to both college and career opportunities
  • Earn while you learn: internships, apprenticeships

Welcome students and introduce the session.
Explain that today we’ll explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways at Banning High and review local job outlook data to help plan for post-graduation.

CTE Pathway: Health Science

  • Key skills: patient care, anatomy, medical terminology
  • Certifications: CPR, Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
  • Hands-on labs in the School of Health Sciences
  • Partnerships with local clinics for internships

Highlight Health Science offerings. Invite any students interested in healthcare to share why.

CTE Pathway: Information Technology

  • Key skills: coding, networking, cybersecurity fundamentals
  • Certifications: CompTIA A+, Cisco CCNA
  • Project-based learning: create apps, manage networks
  • Opportunities for job shadowing with local tech firms

Describe the IT pathway and its relevance in a digital economy.

CTE Pathway: Engineering

  • Key skills: CAD design, robotics, manufacturing processes
  • Certifications: Autodesk Certified User, OSHA 10-Hour
  • Access to modern fabrication labs and robotics kits
  • Mentorship from industry engineers

Emphasize problem solving and design thinking in Engineering.

CTE Pathway: Business & Marketing

  • Key skills: entrepreneurship, financial literacy, marketing strategies
  • Certifications: Microsoft Office Specialist, DECA events
  • Real-world projects: run school store, plan marketing campaigns
  • Guest speakers from local businesses

Overview of a fourth popular pathway to diversify options.

Riverside County Job Outlook

  • Health Science: +15% growth, median wage $48,000/year
  • Information Technology: +12% growth, median wage $60,000/year
  • Engineering: +10% growth, median wage $65,000/year
  • Business & Marketing: +8% growth, median wage $52,000/year

Introduce the local job outlook data and explain how to read growth rates and wages.

CTE Pathways Growth Chart

[Insert bar chart showing projected growth and median wages for each pathway]

Display full chart on screen. Ask students to note one surprising stat.

Reflection Discussion

  • Which CTE pathway aligns most with your interests?
  • How does the Riverside County outlook influence your decision?

Facilitate a quick partner discussion using these prompts.

Exit Ticket

  1. Name your top CTE pathway choice.
  2. Cite one local job-outlook statistic that supports your choice.

Explain exit-ticket process and collect as students leave.

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