- Dripping Springs ISD
- Homepage
DSHS Students Earn a Record Number of CTE Certifications in 2020-2021
June 2, 2021
A record number of students at Dripping Springs High School obtained industry and work-ready certifications through Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in 2021. A total of 102 certifications have been earned in 14 areas, in spite of the challenges presented by pandemic learning. Students earned certifications across a variety of career pathways, including health science, biotechnology, business, agriculture, engineering, and floral design. That number is expected to increase this summer, as many students continue taking certification exams over the next several weeks. Certification courses provide valuable technical, communication, collaboration, and leadership skills to help students build their career portfolios and earn higher wages.
These certifications introduce students to knowledge and skills that are foundational to future jobs and set them apart from their peers. Here is a description of several certifications:
The Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) program saw the highest number of students certified this year, with 25 students passing the nationally recognized industry exam. A clinical medical assistant can be responsible for a wide range of patient care applications, from assisting physicians with procedures to taking vital signs to recordkeeping. They can work in a variety of settings such as independent clinics, hospitals, nursing homes, or home health.
Certified EKG (Electrocardiogram) Technician (CET) is another new offering at DSHS. Students in this program paired valuable coursework with hands-on practical skills in order to pass the challenging CET exam. The seven students who earned the CET can work in a variety of medical and clinical settings.
Biotechnology was a new program this year and five seniors earned the Biotechnician Level 1 Certification. This joint program with Austin Community College (ACC) provides students with the opportunity to gain valuable lab skills, learn to record and analyze data, participate in research projects, and compete for entry-level jobs in the biotech sector.
The floral design program was introduced at DSHS because of the high demand for skilled labor in the Dripping Springs area, known as the “wedding capital of Texas.” Certifications through the Texas State Florist Association acknowledge have led to many students acquiring jobs in the local floral industry.
Earning a certification in Solidworks applications demonstrates competency in 2D or 3D computer-aided design, which is used in many engineering trades today for drafting projects.
Students who completed the DSHS Real Estate course will have the opportunity to sit for the Real Estate Sales Licensed Agent exam this summer. DSHS was the first high school in Texas to offer this unique and valuable program.
To see a complete list of students earning certifications during the 2020-21 school year, please click here.
Health Science
Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) - 25
Certified EKG (Electrocardiogram) Technician (CET) - 7
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) - 5
Certified Pharmacy Technician (EXCPT) - 4
Biotechnology
ACC Biotechnician Level 1 Certification – 5
Business
Entrepreneurship & Small Business Certification - 20
Real Estate Agent License – TBA (exam scheduled this summer)
Agriculture/Floral Design
Texas State Florists Association Level 1 Certification - 8
Texas State Florists Association Knowledge-Based Certification - 8
Certified Veterinary Assistant (CVA) Level 1 - 1
Engineering
Certified Solidworks Associate/Mechanical Design - 9
Certified Solidworks Associate/Additive Manufacturing - 5
Certified Solidworks Professional/Mechanical Design - 2
Certified Solidworks Professional Advanced/Sheet Metal - 1
OSHA General Industry - 2