Lebanon County Career and Technology Center Cancels Evening LPN Class
Written by Jake Keiter
Why the Class Was Canceled
A part-time evening Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) class at the Lebanon County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) with 47 registered students has been canceled. The school’s joint operating committee voted to cancel the 18-month class, which was slated to begin in September and run through March 2025.
High Attrition Rates
Director of the LCCTC Andra Groller cited higher-than-expected attrition rates in the school’s adult LPN program as the primary cause for the class’s cancellation. Groller stated, “It was a difficult decision. We recognize that it (the LPN program) is a benefit to the community, but ultimately the JOC determined it would be in the best interest of the CTC to move in this direction at this time.”
Challenges in LPN Classes
The school currently faces attrition challenges in two ongoing adult LPN classes. A full-day, year-long program that started in July with 20 students now has 13 students. The second, a part-time evening class, began in September 2022 with 3 students and currently has 17 students who were set to graduate in March 2024.
Contrasting Enrollment Figures
These declining numbers stand in stark contrast to the enrollment figures in LCCTC’s secondary school programs, some of which had to turn away students due to limited classroom space. The challenging nature of the LPN program’s classes contributes to the high attrition rates, according to Groller.
What’s Next for Affected Students?
LCCTC is committed to assisting the affected students and will continue to communicate and work with them. Importantly, tuition money will not be affected since the class was canceled before it began. Students who were receiving financial aid should be able to transfer their aid to other nearby schools, such as Lancaster CTC, Reading Area Community College, or Harrisburg Area Community College.
Uncertain Future for LPN Classes
The future of LPN classes at LCCTC remains uncertain as the joint operating committee (JOC) contemplates its next steps and addresses the ongoing issue of high attrition rates within the program. The JOC will need to consider what lies ahead for vocational education in the region.
