Getting a Jumpstart on the Future!

What is a Career Academy?

Career Academies were first developed some 35 years ago with the aim of restructuring large high schools into small learning communities and creating pathways between high school and further education and the workplace.

(Career Academies, 2009)

What is taught there?

Operating as schools-within-schools and typically enrolling 30-60 students per grade, Career Academies are organized around the 16 Career Clusters, as defined by the U. S. Department of Labor.

The 16 Career Clusters:Agriculture and Natural ResourcesThe production, processing, marketing, distribution, financing, and development of agricultural commodities and resources including food, fiber, wood products, natural resources, horticulture, and other plant and animal products/resources.

Architecture and Construction Careers in designing, planning, managing, building and maintaining the built environment.

Arts, Audio-Video Technology and Communication Designing, producing, exhibiting, performing, writing, and publishing multimedia content including visual and performing arts and design, journalism, and entertainment services.

Business Management and Administration careers encompass planning, organizing, directing and evaluating business functions essential to efficient and productive business operations. Business Management and Administration career opportunities are available in every sector of the economy

Education and Training Planning, managing and providing education and training services, and related learning support services.

Finance Planning, services for financial and investment planning, banking, insurance, and business financial management

Government and Public Administration Executing governmental functions to include Governance; National Security; Foreign Service; Planning; Revenue and Taxation; Regulation; and Management and Administration at the local, state, and federal levels.

Health Services Planning, managing, and providing therapeutic services, diagnostic services, health information science, support services, and biotechnology research and development.

Hospitality & Tourism encompasses the management, marketing and operations of restaurants and other foodservices, lodging, attractions, recreation events and travel related services.

Human Services Preparing individuals for employment in career pathways that relate to families and human needs.

Information Technology Building linkages in IT Occupations Framework: For entry level, technical, and professional careers related to the design, development, support and management of hardware, software, multimedia, and systems integration services.

Law, Public Safety, Corrections and SecurityPlanning, managing, and providing legal, public safety, protective services and homeland security, including professional and technical support services.

Manufacturing involves planning, managing and performing the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professional and technical support activities such as production planning and control, maintenance and manufacturing/process engineering.

Marketing Planning, managing, and performing marketing activities to reach organizational objectives.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Planning, managing, and providing scientific research and professional and technical services (e.g., physical science, social science, engineering) including laboratory and testing services, and research and development services.

Transportation, Distribution and Logistics Planning, management, and movement of people, materials, and goods by road, pipeline, air, rail and water and related professional and technical support services such as transportation infrastructure planning and management, logistics services, mobile equipment and facility maintenance

Criteria for a Career Academy

• a small learning community, comprised of a group of students within the larger high school, who take classes together for at least two years, and are taught by a team of teachers from different disciplines;

• a college preparatory curriculum with a career theme, enabling students to see relationships among academic subjects, and their application to a broad filed of work; and

• partnerships with employers, the community, and local colleges, bring resources from outside the high school to improve student motivation and achievement.

What is the advantage of Career Academies?

Students are prepared for both college, technical school, and careers

Students become engaged through the use of 21st century technology and real world applications

Focus on career clusters allow academic and career teachers to plan and teach collaboratively

Academic material is rigorous. having to meet state and national standards as well as career standards

Students see real-life application of academic material

Career Academies allow students to explore a variety of careers within a field of study

Business partnerships allow for unique learning opportunities

Where are Career Academies? Virginia

Chantilly High SchoolChantilly Criminal Justice Career Program

Gloucester High SchoolAcademy of Finance

Halifax County Public SchoolsSTEM Academy

Kecoughtan High SchoolVirginia Career Academies

T. C. Williams High SchoolAcademy of Finance

Dominion High SchoolAcademy of Math and Science

Who will benefit from Career Academies?

Students• Small learning communities• Link between academics and real-world careers• College and post-secondary trainingSchools• Improved test scores• Lower drop-out rate• Better attendanceColleges and Businesses• Open community relations• Open track between school, college and work• Competitive, well-prepared students and employees

What does National Data show about the impact of Career

Academies?• Reduction in dropout rates for students enrolled in career

academies programs• Rise in academic performance due to the stress placed

on career and academic rigor• Students are more likely to enroll in college or post-

secondary programs• Rise in attendance• Fewer “at-risk” students

Where can I find information on Career Academies?

• Career Academy Support Network (www.casn.berkeley.edu)

• Florida Community College at Jacksonville (www.fccj.edu)

• National Academy Foundation (www.naf.org) • National Career Academy Coalition

(www.ncacinc.org) • National Center on Education and the Economy

(www.ncee.org) • WorkSource (www.worksourcefl.com)

References

Career Academies. (2009). Retrieved January 16, from MDRC Secondary School Reform: http://www.mdrc.org/project_29_1.html.

Fact Sheet. (2009). Retrieved March 3, 2009 from National Career Academy Coalition: http://www.ncacinc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogcategory&id=16&Itemid=27

Academies Directory. (2005). Retrieved March 3, 2009 from Career Academies Support Network: http://casn.berkeley.edu/#