Two decades ago, schools across the nation — and in Iowa — emphasized preparing high school students for college, loading schedules with English, math, social studies and science.

But the college-for-all push resulted in soaring student debt, tougher job prospects for graduates, and a shortage of skilled trade and technical workers.

Now schools are working to bridge the workforce’s skills gap by offering students practical, hands-on training in high-demand industries including advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, health care, agriculture and STEM, or science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

“What we know is that college is not for all and it’s not a desire for all,” said Matt Smith, the Des Moines school district’s interim superintendent. “What we also know is that if we get students engaged early on, especially in experiential, hands-on, project-based learning, particularly in a career field, it not only improves their literacy and math skills, it also improves their overall health and well-being.”

As education shifts toward broader career preparation, schools are working to create spaces where students can learn about the skilled trades, health care and other professions. And while career-pathway courses are offered in many districts, access to the programs are limited.   

That’s part of the reason why officials in districts such as Des Moines and Ankeny are asking voters on Tuesday to approve bond referendums, a portion of which would pay for new career and technical education spaces. In Des Moines, voters on Tuesday will decide whether to approve a $265 million bond referendum; voters in Ankeny will decide whether to approve a $130 million referendum. To pass, 60% of voters must approve the measures.

For decades, students in the Des Moines school district have been able to travel to Central Campus on the edge of downtown to take classes in automotive technology, construction trades and health sciences. The programs are mostly aimed at high school-aged students, and even though some of the programs are offered at the district’s comprehensive high schools, space is limited, Smith said.

Officials are proposing to create signature or magnet schools in the district’s three new regions. In the northeast region, courses in engineering systems, robotics and biomedical design would be offered at North High School. In the south region, aviation, environmental science, agriculture production and marketing and a business academy would be offered at the Kurtz building. In the northwest region, technology integration, coding, digital design and media tech would be offered at Hoover/Meredith. All three schools would include seventh through 12th grades.

Central Campus would continue to offer career and technical education courses. In addition, the district’s middle schools would be updated and new spaces added to include career and technical education programming. For instance, middle school students may be offered a health science course that includes introductions to what it’s like to be a paramedic, nurse or doctor, Smith said.

New spaces in the middle schools would be flexible, allowing rooms to be set up to accommodate a range of equipment and furniture. 

“We would still teach the standards that are required by the state,” Smith said. “For example, students could be asked to write about an experience they’ve had in a course they’re fully immersed and invested in. Or, they could write about something abstract that they have no interest in.”

Ankeny school officials also hope to expand the district’s career and technical education course. If voters approve Tuesday’s referendum, an $80 million Innovative Hub that would be built at the south end of Northview Middle School’s campus. The Hub, which would serve about 500 students, would offer career and technical education programs, including in health care and agriculture.

Many Ankeny students currently take courses at the nearby Des Moines Community College campus or travel to the North Polk school district to take agriculture-related courses. “Space is limited in both places meaning some students don’t have access,” said Samantha Aukes, the district’s chief of communications.

Programs like automotive technology and skilled trades now offered at the district’s two high schools would be moved to the Hub, freeing up space in the existing facilities.

Currently, the district doesn’t offer any courses in the health sciences, an area in which many students are interested, Aukes said. “When you look at the workforce, that’s one of the industries that needs the most workers in Iowa.

“If we’re able to ramp up that programming in Ankeny, we’ll be able to help better prepare Iowa’s workforce of tomorrow.”

Read more about the upcoming school bond referendums online:

Ankeny voters to weigh $130 million bond referendum

$88 million bond referendum on ballot in DC-G

$135 million bond referendum on ballot in West Des Moines

Southeast Polk voters to decide $51 million bond referendum

Schools turn to voters for bond approval as sales tax lags behind facility needs