Page 14 - Coffee County Strategic Plan FY19-FY23

High School Career Academies

I n the system’s strategic planning process with Ford

Next Generation Learning (FGNL), the district found
that the academies concept for a traditional high
school has been a successful transformation model.
Academies consist of small learning communities
that offer each student more personalized attention,
recognition, and care with teachers, staff, and peers.

The primary goal of the academies approach is to
enhance students’ engagement and performance
in high school and provide them with skills and
credentials needed to make a successful transition
to further education and/or a career.

Integrating Relevant Career Themes

Academies can play an essential role in high school
success by integrating relevant career themes, engaging
business and industry leaders in the education process, rate, increase academic achievement, enhance technical
and, as a result, driving academic achievement. Engaging skills, provide a more educated and stable workforce, and
a group of students in commonly scheduled classes and greatly improve community prosperity.
a team of teachers working together across subjects
creates a truly integrated and personalized educational Driving Student Academic Achievement
and Engagement
environment. This focus assures that students will
have opportunities to learn and participate in activities
including work-based learning, job shadowing, and career Successful and sustained implementation of academies
exploration prior to entering post-secondary education raises student engagement and achievement. Coursework
and the workforce. It also allows students to have much becomes more relevant. The academies help students
broader exposure to a variety of career opportunities. develop skills beyond academic achievements that are
important to career and life success. Experiences in
Engaging Business and Industry the workplace and with employers allow students to
experience real work and see beyond the classroom.
Business and industry engagement becomes more Students who are given opportunities to work in teams
meaningful and collaborative. Academies connect on real projects begin to understand the importance
education and workforce development systems and of professionalism, reliability, teamwork, and clear oral
lead to broader partnerships. They also provide local communication skills. They also see how their education
business and industry with a steady stream of interested is related to a career field(s). Frequently, after being
and well-qualified employees. Relevant business and exposed to the realities of the workplace and careers
industry councils and pathway advisory boards can be during internships, students will press harder in their
created to keep them current and based on community studies and set higher goals for college and careers.
needs. Engaging business and industry through these Career academies have demonstrated a lasting value to
academies, the school system can decrease the dropout the communities that have implemented them.

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