Transforming Education: How AI Curriculum is Shaping the Future of Cyber Charter Schools in Pennsylvania

By Laura Aka for WorkingNation.

Peoria, Illinois, the oldest community in the state, sits peacefully along the Illinois River, halfway between Chicago and St. Louis. This city relies heavily on healthcare, manufacturing, and agriculture for its jobs. But there’s a notable need for skilled workers, especially in construction and education.

With over 110,000 residents, Peoria is a diverse city. The population is primarily white (over 57%), but also includes more than 26% Black, just over 7% Hispanic or Latino, and nearly 7% Asian residents. Sadly, the city struggles with a 20% poverty rate, highlighting the critical role of education in driving economic growth and helping individuals rise above these challenges.

Mayor Rita Ali’s personal journey fuels her passion for education and workforce development. A former welfare recipient, Ali earned multiple degrees, including a doctorate. She spent over two decades focusing on workforce and diversity at Illinois Central College (ICC) before becoming mayor in 2021. She shares, “Education was my way out of poverty,” emphasizing the importance of equipping residents with the necessary skills to secure stable, well-paying jobs.

Ali sees education as a bridge to economic mobility. Currently, 42% of Peoria’s residents have credentials beyond high school. However, around 65% of available jobs require such qualifications. ICC president Sheila Quirk-Bailey highlights this gap, stating, “We have a big workforce gap,” and emphasizes the need for short-term certificate programs. Programs at ICC can be completed in just a year and cover essential skills like HVAC installation, emergency medical services, and machine operation.

Peoria’s healthcare sector alone offers 2,000 job openings, yet there aren’t enough qualified individuals to fill them. To tackle this, ICC provides various healthcare training programs requiring one to two years to complete, such as becoming a licensed practical nurse or medical lab technician. Quirk-Bailey mentions partnerships between ICC and local hospitals to help students transition into jobs after graduation.

To further prepare students for the workforce, ICC has participated in initiatives like the “Classroom to Career” summit, showcasing their IT Workforce Accelerator program that offers free IT certifications. They also conduct pre-apprenticeships in high schools, giving students a hands-on experience that makes them more competitive in job markets.

Beyond just preparing students for jobs, Peoria Public Schools (PPS) superintendent Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat is focused on developing qualified teachers. PPS serves over 13,000 students, with a significant portion coming from low-income backgrounds. There’s been considerable progress in reducing teacher shortages, dropping from 108 openings to around 13.

PPS has launched an apprenticeship program in collaboration with BloomBoard. Participants can work while gaining teaching experience, with significant tuition support from the district. This initiative aims to develop and retain local talent in teaching roles, helping to create a more diverse educator workforce.

Programs like Grow Your Own Peoria further strengthen this mission by recruiting locals into teaching roles, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds. With a focus on supporting candidates through financial and academic assistance, this program aims to boost the number of local educators who understand the community’s unique challenges.

PPS is also making strides in career exploration for younger students. Through career pathways and clubs, middle and high school students gain real-world experiences, helping them visualize their career futures. The Woodruff Career & Technical Center provides hands-on training in various fields, including healthcare and manufacturing, equipping students with the certifications they need for quality jobs.

In Peoria, the agriculture and manufacturing sectors remain vital. The city hosts significant agricultural research bodies, such as the USDA lab, which works on impactful agricultural problems. The partnership with local schools ensures that students receive real-world exposure, enhancing their interest in STEM careers.

Looking ahead, Mayor Ali is optimistic about Peoria’s future, especially with a new strategic plan aimed at improving quality of life and job opportunities. She believes that developing a passenger rail service will connect Peoria to larger economies and industries, creating jobs and aiding local businesses. With strong community collaboration, Peoria is not only addressing its current workforce needs but also laying the groundwork for a thriving future.