IHAIA CTE Pathway Exploration for Middle School Students

Policy Homepage

IHAIA-PRC1

Adopted:  January 22, 2026
Amended: N/A

 IHAIA

HOPKINTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE POLICY 

CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PATHWAY EXPLORATION 

FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

The School Committee recognizes the importance of students and their families being well-informed about the educational options available to them for high school, including Career and Technical Education (CTE) and vocational programs. 

Collaboration with Member Vocational Schools and Information Sharing

The District will actively collaborate with member CTE/vocational schools to inform students about the CTE/vocational opportunities available to them beginning in grade 9, including outside the Hopkinton Public Schools. 

This collaboration will include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Information Sharing: Annually, the District will provide member CTE/vocational schools with the names and contact information for all enrolled sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students.  The District will provide relevant student information to member vocational schools for students who have applied upon the request of the CTE school(s). 

• School Tours: Students in grade 8 will have the opportunity to tour the regional vocational school(s). These tours will be scheduled during the school day as a school-sponsored activity.  

• On-Site Meetings and Application Interviews:  The District will provide opportunities at the middle school during the school day for vocational schools to schedule in-person interviews with students who have applied.

• Distribution of Information:  The District will distribute information to families of middle school students about vocational school options, including links to admission applications, admissions policies, and open house/informational event schedules.  This information will be distributed annually on or before October 15. Dissemination may include, but not be limited to, live presentations, USPS mail, email/newsletters, and on the District and/or Hopkinton Middle School website.  

• Promotion of Events: The District will share information about vocational school open houses and informational events with the families of middle school students.

The District, through its Superintendent/designee, will develop and maintain an operational procedure that outlines the roles, actions, and timelines that support this partnership, promotion, and information sharing, along with the District’s curriculum as it relates to exploration of schools, programs, and career goals, and a student’s secondary and postsecondary academic and career planning.  

Maintenance of Records

Hopkinton Middle School will maintain a record of all on-site presentations, assemblies, and student tours to CTE schools, along with other relevant information about collaboration between the district and member CTE/vocational schools. These records will be made available to DESE upon request.

First Reading: January 8, 2026

Second Reading: January 22, 2026

Adopted: January 22, 2026

Legal References:

Massachusetts 603 CMR 4.03(6)(i)

Sources:

Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Procedure: 

IHAIA-PRC1 - CTE Pathway Exploration for Middle School Students