Malheur Education Service District Programs: Empowering Youth and Shaping Futures
Malheur County, nestled along Oregon's eastern border with Idaho, is characterized by its expansive high-desert terrain and rich agricultural heritage. However, it also grapples with significant economic challenges, a common issue in rural regions where limited access to opportunities can leave young individuals ill-prepared for future careers. In response to these challenges, the Malheur Education Service District (MESD) has implemented a variety of programs aimed at improving student outcomes, fostering career readiness, and supporting the educational needs of youth in the region.
Malheur Works: Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment
One notable initiative is Malheur Works, a paid summer internship program developed through a partnership between Oregon State University Extension Service, the MESD’s Frontier STEM Hub, local industries, educators, and workforce leaders. This program is specifically designed to help recent high school graduates gain real-world experience, develop professional skills, and explore potential career paths.
Malheur Works operates on three core pillars:
- Full-time Paid Internships: Interns are placed in nine-week, 360-hour internships with local employers, aligning these placements with their individual career interests.
- Weekly Professional Development Workshops: Participants attend 26 hours of workshops covering essential workplace topics such as interviewing skills, communication, personal finance, ethics, and resume writing.
- Mentorship from Community Professionals: Interns receive guidance and support from community professionals who serve as mentors, offering valuable insights and encouragement.
The impact of Malheur Works is evident in the increased confidence and practical skills reported by participating interns. One intern highlighted the significance of their mentor, stating, "A mentor was the best aspect of this program for me. My mentor helped me a lot - not just with work, but with life." Another intern, Sierra Dobson, noted that "Input from my co-workers helped prepare me for college this fall."
The Malheur Works Student Internship Program, which started in 2021, aims to give high school students their first experience in a full-time job the summer before their senior year. In addition to gaining the experience of working a full-time job, students meet regularly with volunteer mentors. The mentors are “community professionals” and are not affiliated with the organizations where the students are interning. “At the end of the day, the program is about improving student outcomes, improving student success,” Bond said. At the end of their nine-week internships, Huston said she offered both interns permanent positions with the restaurant while they attended Treasure Valley Community College. “We cross-train in our business,” she said.
Read also: What makes a quality PE curriculum?
Yolanda Diaz, a Nyssa graduate, was an intern for the Malheur Works program at the education service district. Diaz graduated from Nyssa High School in 2021 and said the internship aligned with her interest in social work. Diaz said she plans to pursue a career in mental or community health. “Because of the program,” she said.
Brayan Velazquez-Lopez, a former intern at the Frontier STEM Hub who graduated from Ontario High School in 2024, is in his first year at Western Oregon University. Velazquez-Lopez, 19, a pre-education major, said his goal is to become an elementary school teacher. Velazquez-Lopez said his internship included helping create lesson plans and organizing summer career events at TVCC.
Comprehensive Educational Support and Services
Beyond Malheur Works, the MESD provides a wide array of educational support and services to students and school districts within its region. These services include:
- Early Intervention and Childhood Special Education: The MESD offers early intervention and childhood special education services to support young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
- Specialized Therapy Programs: District schools provide occupational, speech, and physical therapy programs to address the specific needs of students.
- Vocational and Technical Training: The MESD offers vocational and technical training programs for high school students, preparing them for future careers in various fields.
- Academic Preparation and Career Planning: District schools provide academic preparation and career planning services to help students make informed decisions about their future educational and career paths.
- Comprehensive Guidance and Counseling: Comprehensive guidance and counseling provides individualized counseling. This includes career and academic counseling, drug and alcohol abuse counseling, mental health counseling, and referral to partner programs, as appropriate.
- Student Support Services: District schools offer student support services such as meals, transportation, guidance counseling, and health care to ensure students have the resources they need to succeed.
- Alternative Secondary School Services, or Dropout Recovery Services: Services are provided to youth by a separate program within a K-12 public school district or charter school through a specialized, structured curriculum.
- Transition to Post-Secondary Education and Training: Campus visits to area colleges are arranged, Labor Market Information is given, assistance with a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or Office of Student Access and Completion (OSAC) scholarship applications are offered.
The district s schools academic curricula include reading, writing, math, science and social studies. Its schools conduct classes in graphic design, biology, world studies, physics and agricultural science. The district s schools offer programs in art and physical education. The Vale School District offers memberships in the Future Farmers of America and Future Business Leaders of America organizations. Its schools support a range of sports activities that includes football, volleyball, cross country and wrestling.
Focus on Workforce Development and Skill Enhancement
The MESD recognizes the importance of preparing students for the workforce and offers several programs focused on skill development and career readiness. These programs include:
Read also: Maximize Savings on McGraw Hill Education
- Education/Workforce Preparation Activities/Training: Integrated education and training that occur concurrently and contextually with workforce preparation activities and workforce training.
- Tutoring, Study Skills, & Instruction: Tutoring, study skills training and instruction that lead to completion of the requirements for a secondary school diploma or its recognized equivalent.
- Youth Work Experiences (Paid or Unpaid): Youth with no work history, limited or poor work history or those youth interested in career development in a specific occupation are placed in a Work Experience for a limited time. Length of work experience varies between 120-240 hours.
- Occupational Skills Training: Occupational skills training is an organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels. (Out of school youth only)
- Leadership Development Opportunities: Leadership development opportunities may include community service and peer-centered activities encouraging responsibility and other positive social behaviors. Examples are exposure to post-secondary educational possibilities, community and service learning projects, and peer-centered activities.
- Serving Youth with Disabilities: Youth case managers work closely with local education and community support partners to assist youth who have disabilities with education, training and job placement.
- Mentoring: A formal relationship between a youth customer and an adult mentor that includes structured activities where the mentor offers guidance, support, and encouragement. Mentoring may include workplace mentoring.
Addressing the Needs of English Language Learners
The MESD is also committed to supporting English Language Learners (ELLs) and addressing disparities in their educational outcomes. The Oregon Department of Education’s EL Outcomes Program (HB 3499) aims to address disparities experienced by English and multilingual learners and their outcomes in the K-12 education system.
History and Context of the EL Outocomes Program (HB3499)Passed in the 2015 legislative session. The EL Outcomes Program directs ODE to develop and implement a statewide strategic education plan for Multilingual and English Language Learners (ML/EL learners) in the K-12 education system to:Address disparities experienced by EL/ML learners Address the historical practices leading to disproportionate outcomes for EL/ML studentsAddress the educational needs of EL/ML students in K-12 education by examining culturally appropriate best practices in Oregon and the nationAlso directs ODE to: Publish a yearly report on the progress of English LearnersEstablish a state-level EL Advisory Group to inform ODE on policy affecting English Learner Communities, andStipulates that if a school district does not meet expected growth and expected benchmarks in student progress indicators, the agency would direct the district to expend funds under ORS 327.013(1)(c)(A)(II) (ELL weight) for up to three years
In HB 3499 statute, districts with less than 20 ELs cannot be identified into an EL Outcomes Program cohort district. To account for this, an ESD partnership was developed to support districts across the state with less than 20 ELsA portion of the funds from HB 3499 were used for the hiring of ESD EL Specialists from five ESDs throughout the state: Malheur, Intermountain, Clackamas, Willamette, and South Coast ESDWe collaborated with the community and other offices throughout the department in the strategic selection of these five ESDs.
Juntura School District 12: A Collaborative Approach to Education
Juntura School District 12, located in Vale, OR, is a dedicated education service district that aims to improve student outcomes from pre-school to college and career. They prioritize providing educational opportunities, increasing teacher effectiveness through professional development, and expanding STEM, CTE, and early learning programs. With a tradition of service and a focus on helping schools help kids, Juntura School District 12 collaborates with local school districts to meet the needs of students and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century. Through partnerships with various businesses and organizations, Juntura School District 12 offers a range of programs and services to support students' educational journey. Their Youth Transition Program, in collaboration with Youth Rising, provides over 80 students with paid internships, engaging them in real-world work experiences. Located in Vale, Ore., its schools offer Title I, English Language Learners and special education programs.
Read also: Becoming a Neonatal Nurse
tags: #malheur #education #service #district #programs
