Designing dreams deserves support

It’s always notable when people take the time to attend a school board meeting and speak up on a topic they’re passionate about. It’s even more noteworthy when current and former students do it.

That’s what happened with Cape Henlopen High School’s fashion program in September, when students, parents, volunteers and the program’s teacher persuasively petitioned school board members to retain the program.

The Delaware Department of Education has determined the fashion pathway does not meet state Career and Technical Education requirements for sustainability, and it will no longer be supported or recognized. In response, Cape has decided to phase out the program. The school will accommodate students already in the program, but will not accept any new ones.

The decision to eliminate the pathway was made at the state level. The Department of Education requires all Delaware students to complete a career pathway as part of the high school graduation requirements. A career pathway is defined as three credits, beyond those courses otherwise required for high school graduation, in a specific area of focus.

Based on this requirement, it’s understandable why Cape officials cannot accommodate the program as a pathway. However, that doesn’t stop the school board from continuing to offer fashion as an elective for students.

Based on testimonials at the school board meeting and subsequent letters to the editor, there appears to be something special happening in the fashion program. Students who were unsure of their purpose and direction have found those aspects of themselves in Alayna Aiken’s classroom.

Also, the University of Delaware offers a fashion and apparel studies program for both undergraduate and graduate students. It provides bachelor’s degrees in fashion design, product innovation, and fashion merchandising and management. The department also offers master's degrees and graduate certificates.

So while the state may not see Cape’s fashion program as a pathway to a career, the University of Delaware views things differently.

Fashion isn’t for everyone, but neither is any other career. Cape should embrace students’ willingness to learn and continue the program as an elective.