Post on 01-Sep-2018
Career Academies Research and Best
Practices
Portland Community College Board of Directors Meeting
November 20, 2014
Career Academy Work Group
Dr. Sandra Fowler-Hill, RC Campus President Beth Molenkamp, PACTEC Regional Coordinator Dr. Betsy Julian, Dean Science & Technology Dr. Cheryl Scott, Interim Dean of Instruction Dr. Dan Findley, Dean Math & Industrial
Technology Jon Warren, American Precision Industries Neal Naigus, Ass’t. to CLIMB Exec. Director Irene Giustini, Dean Math, Aviation & Industrial
Technology
Career Academy
Smaller learning community (SLC) within a larger high school or college which: ◦ group of students taught by a team of teachers from different disciplines ◦ college preparatory curriculum based on a career theme ◦ partnerships with employers, the community, and colleges
Career Academy Support Network website, retrieved September 11, 2009. http://casn.berkeley.edu/Definition.html
Career Academy
conceived 40 years ago academic rigor relevance of instruction builds relationships between students and
industry dual objectives of career and college preparation evidence of their success deep relationship between research and practice
Career Academy Outcomes
Career academy graduates were: more likely to graduate high school, more likely to attend postsecondary
institution, more likely to attend a four-year college
compared to California high school students from general and vocational tracks
Maxwell, N. and Rubin, V. 2000. High school career academies: A pathway to educational reform in urban school districts? Kalamazoo, MI: W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research.
Maxwell, N. December 2001. Step to college: Moving from the high school career academy through the four-year university. Evaluation Review 25(6):619-654.
Career Academy Outcomes
Increase student achievement and reduce the drop-out rate.
US Department of Education 2014
Career Academy Outcomes
Align with other efforts to ensure youth and adults have the skills and credentials our economy demands.
US Department of Education 2014
Career Academy National Standards of Practice in 2004
Mission and goals Professional development Curriculum and leadership Employer, postsecondary, and community
involvement Student assessment
Career Academy Findings
The Career Academies produced sustained
earnings gains that averaged 11 percent more per year
Career Academy Findings
Graduates are more likely to work in and
have career goals that are aligned with the program sponsor, yet have higher post-secondary enrollment rates, greater educational expectations, and are better prepared for the transition to young adulthood.
Career Academy Models
Agriculture and Agribusiness
Health Sciences
Science, Technology, and Engineering
Education, Child Development and Family Services
Communications and Technology
Marine Science
Academy Steering Committees
Representatives from Local Industry, Government, and Post-Secondary Institutions ◦ Local industry representatives ◦ Heads of manufacturing departments ◦ High tech instructors at high schools and
other post-secondary institutions ◦ Local government officials ◦ Local high tech co-op/internship contacts
Resources
Association of Career and Technical Education Buck Institute for Education Capture Educational Consulting Services Career Academy Support Network, University of California,
Berkeley Center on Education and Work, University of Wisconsin-Madison ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career Education Advisory Board, Agriculture and Agribusiness Career
Academies MDRC National Academy Foundation National Association of Secondary School Principals National Association of State Directors of Career Technical
Education Consortium National Partnership for Careers in Law, Public Safety, Corrections
and Security Philadelphia Academies, Inc. Southern Regional Education Board/High Schools That Work