I. Purpose and Goals

Marlborough Public Schools (MPS) is committed to providing all middle school students with equitable opportunities to explore high school pathways, including Career Technical Education (CTE) programs. This policy establishes procedures and expectations for middle school career exploration to ensure students are fully informed about their academic and career options, and that exploration activities meaningfully connect to students’ secondary and postsecondary planning.

Goals:

• Ensure every middle school student is informed of the full range of secondary school schools with CTE programs.

• Provide structured opportunities for career-connected learning during middle school years to support readiness for high school transition.

• Integrate CTE exploration into MyCAP, aligning academic pathways with students’ career interests and long-term goals.

II. High School Pathway Options

All students in MPS have access to Marlborough High School, their academic comprehensive option, as well as our vocational/technical and agricultural secondary school options, such as Assabet Valley Regional Vocational Technology High School.

These options provide students with opportunities to explore fields that connect directly to secondary coursework, industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary education, and career pathways.

III. Middle School Career Exploration

A. Awareness Activities

The district ensures that all middle school students are made aware of their high school options by:

●Hosting school-based presentations by Marlborough High School and our vocational

technical high school will take place by October 15 each school year.

●Disseminating information through mail, email, and the district’s public-facing website, by October 15th each school year.

●Providing structured opportunities in advisory and guidance sessions for students to

connect high school options.

●Coordinating with families to ensure they are equally informed of options through district

communication channels.

B. Collaboration with CTE Schools

1LT. Charles W. Whitcomb School collaborates with CTE schools by:

• Coordinating presentations and information sessions

• Sharing enrollment timelines, application processes, and program information with students and families.

IV. 1LT. Charles W. Whitcomb School CTE Tour Policy

• All grade 8 students at 1LT. Charles W. Whitcomb School will be provided at least one opportunity during the school year to tour CTE schools and programs during regular school hours.

• Transportation will be provided by the hosting CTE school/program, not the sending district.

• Students will not receive an unexcused absence for participating in approved tours when attendance is verified by the CTE school.

• District staff will accompany and supervise students on all tours.

V. Providing Records to CTE Schools and Programs

MPS will provide ONLY relevant student records requested by the CTE school, per the application policy for the CTE school including information related to lottery weights (ie: attendance, discipline, and student interest) consistent with applicable laws and regulations (e.g., FERPA, IDEA, 603 CMR 4.00). Names and addresses of MPS enrolled 7th & 8th grade students will be shared with CTE schools/programs by October 15th of each year upon request by the CTE schools. The Middle school should not release transcript information until after a student is enrolled in a CTE school.

VI. Maintenance of Records

The district will maintain documentation of:

• Student participation in CTE tours.

• Records of presentations, communications, and dissemination of CTE program information.

• Contact information shared with CTE schools to support outreach.

• Annual schedules of CTE exploration activities, including MyCap activities/scope and sequence for accountability and compliance.

Approved 10/28/25

Approved 2/10/26