School leaders across North Texas are changing their approach to provide students with job skills that educators say are every bit as important as the tools needed for college success.

MILTON HINNANT/DMN

Jake Stone, Matt Hollings and John Bender work on a car at South Grand Prairie High.

Several districts have launched plans to open career and technology schools, following a national trend that combines teaching academic basics with classes such as computer-aided drafting and auto mechanics.

Construction is already under way in Grand Prairie and Frisco. Voters in Dallas and Lewisville will be asked to approve new projects in this weekend's bond elections.

District officials say the programs prepare students with skills so they can choose a career or academic path upon graduation.

"The goal here is for students to be prepared for college after high school, but also have the skills if they choose not to do that," said Jim Ziegler, director of career and technology education in Grand Prairie.

A new report released this week by the Southern Regional Education Board urges states to align career and technical curriculum with college readiness standards in reading, writing and math.

"The pure academic education works well with a number of students, but there are other students that if you tie academics with high-quality technical studies, you'll get more kids through high school and ready for employment or further study," said Gene Bottoms, senior vice president of the Southern Regional Education Board, a nonpartisan think tank of 16 states including Texas.

Educators say the mentality behind technical schooling has changed in recent years. In the past, vocational programs often served as dumping grounds for poor and minority children who weren't interested in college.

Now, districts are preparing their teachers to present academics within other lessons on auto repair, architecture and health.

"Students are learning to use math and science skills at the same time they're learning new job skills," said Wes Cunningham, the future principal of Frisco's Career and Technical Education Center set to open this fall.

Many programs will offer students certification they can present to a potential employer. Others will give students the option of dual credit at local community colleges.

Many districts currently offer similar programs, but some are shifting the programs to independent buildings in hopes of saving money. The Lewisville district already has one center and is asking voters to approve a second career campus to serve students living on the east side of the district.

In Dallas, the district is asking voters to approve funds for a magnet business and technology high school downtown. The district would like to partner with the business community to develop the school's curriculum.

Students generally have the choice about whether to enroll in career and technology schools.

Jennifer Liles, a South Grand Prairie High School teacher, said she is worried that students who do so will miss out on the full high school experience.

"I will say that your traditional students who attend college will likely not go there because there's no band, no drill team ... those things that make the high school fun," said Ms. Liles, who teaches a business computer class.

Mr. Ziegler said the Grand Prairie district would find a way to accommodate students in extracurricular activities. The district's career school is not set to open until the fall of 2009.

"We hope the appeal is there to attract every type of student," he said.

* Projects depend upon the outcome of bond elections Saturday. DISD would seek matching contributions from the business community.

** The Lewisville school would be the district's second career center and serve students living on the east side of the district.