During Massachusetts STEM Week, Governor Maura Healey’s administration disclosed a new round of Innovation Career Pathways funding for Worcester County. Worcester Public Schools will receive $45,915, while 22 additional high schools in the county will split about $1 million in grants.
How the money is allocated
The county’s awards represent roughly one‑fifth of the $5.1 million the state is distributing statewide for the program. Education Undersecretary Mark Reilly announced the grants at Norwood High School, emphasizing the state’s commitment to linking classroom learning with real‑world jobs.
Six Worcester high schools—Burncoat, Claremont Academy, Doherty, North, South and University Park—will use their share to support existing pathway programs. Most other schools received $50,000 implementation and continuation awards, many of which are earmarked for a single school’s use.
Planning grants for new pathways
Ten high schools earned $15,000 planning grants to design their first pathways. The state identified five newcomers: Algonquin Regional High School in Northborough, Leominster High School, Millbury High School, Sutton High School and Tahanto Regional High School in Boylston.
Schools that already operate designated pathways received an additional 17 implementation and continuation grants of $50,000 each, allowing them to expand teacher training, instructional materials, college and career advising, industry credentials and dual‑enrollment courses.
Impact on students
According to the governor’s office, more than 8,500 students are currently enrolled in 303 Innovation Career Pathways at 130 high schools—about 36 % of eligible schools in Massachusetts. The new planning grants could raise that figure to 318 pathways at 141 schools, serving nearly 9,000 students in the 2027‑28 school year, provided the schools earn designation and later implementation funding.
Pathways provide a structured sequence of courses and work‑based learning tied to growing sectors such as health care and clean energy. Schools partner with local MassHire workforce boards to align programs with regional hiring needs, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education reviews applications, with the next round of designations expected in April 2027.
State rationale
Governor Healey said, “Every student in Massachusetts deserves a high school experience that prepares them for success, whether they choose college, a career or another path.” The funding is intended to give students practical skills, industry certifications and clear pathways to well‑paying jobs, reinforcing the state’s broader economic development goals.
The announcement comes as Massachusetts celebrates STEM Week, which runs through Friday, Oct. 23, highlighting the state’s focus on science, technology, engineering and math education.
Original reporting: This Week in Worcester — read the source article.
