Presque Isle Regional
Career and Technical Center

PIRCTC Mission/Director's Statement

Develop a positive learning environment where academics and applied learning meet, therefore, helping students discover ways to become effective employees and community citizens.

PIRCTC will meet the mission standard by introducing and updating innovative programs which will:

• Prepare students for postsecondary education in career-technical fields and for lifelong learning experiences.
• Train students for entry-level and continuing employment opportunities.
• Assist students in making realistic educational and career decisions.
• Apply and reinforce related learning in the areas of English Language Arts and Reading, Mathematics, Science and Economics.
• Assist students in developing and reinforcing skills in the areas of
  • decision-making
  • communication – oral and written
  • problem-solving
  • leadership and teamwork opportunities
  • school and community citizenship
• Prepare students to make informed consumer decisions and apply practical life skills.
• Make appropriate modifications for students with special needs to succeed in career-technical education programs.

Promoting the integration of academics and technical skills is a challenge which involves researching success stories. The Southern Region Educational Board (SREB) is an interstate compact of sixteen southern and mid-western states whose major goal is to motivate all students to complete school at high levels of achievement.

SREB’s Foundation

All students, and especially those students who plan to pursue a career through two-year programs at either the community college or technical college level or through apprenticeship programs, will learn abstract concepts more readily and thoroughly if they put them to use solving real-world problems and working on meaningful projects.

Not all students learn in the same way, a belief supported by PIRCTC programs since 1968. If students can use mathematics and science in their CTE programs, these subjects become “real” and not just something found in a textbook. Most CTE students want to learn skills to use now and later in life and are often surprised to find that they must possess foundation skills, like mathematical measurement, to use tools and equipment found in all CTE courses. Geometry is essential to construction and carpentry as well as drafting. Physics is an important part of Farm Mechanics and Automotive Technology. Biology is a core subject in agriculture.

Why Integrate?

With so many obstacles to face, the question facing all of us is “Why integrate?” In the “real world,” people learn by doing. Theory alone has no relevance in the workforce. Students learn information easily if it is presented in context and they can see a connection either to their past experiences or future goals. Integration also improves academic achievement.

More info on CTE