Atlanta College and Career Academy Frequently Asked Questions DRAFT 1. General Questions 1.1. What is a College and Career Academy? Modern approach to technical and vocational education as well as a national trend in career technical and agriculture education Evidence-based method for education reform and workforce development Over 5,000 College and Career Academies in operation nationally serving more than a million students including 33 amount in GA College and Career Academies effectively provide career pathways to prepare high school students for both college and careers by combining academic and occupational courses College and Career Academies consist of several common elements: o Collaboration among teachers from a variety of industries o A career-themed, college-preparatory curriculum o Provides work-based learning opportunities o Dedicated partnerships with employers, the community, and higher education institutions o Increased opportunities for parental involvement and support o Students earn college credit in high school classes 1.2. Why did Clayton County Public Schools (CCPS) partner with Atlanta Public Schools (APS), Fulton, Atlanta Technical College (ATC) and the Atlanta Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce creating a College and Career Academy? CCPS wants every student to have choice-filled lives. We want every student to have the academic and technical skills required for high-demand, high-skill, and high-wage careers. The theme schools instructional focus is in direct alignment with the job projection data for Georgia and beyond. The theme schools early college curriculum plan seeks to produce Computer Scientists, Programmers, Gamers, Information System Engineers, Architectural Engineers, Pharmacists, First Responders, Health Informatics Specialists, and Diagnostic Technicians, etc. More importantly, Career Academies have a strong track record of improved attendance, credits, grades, and graduation rates among participants Independent research shows that a College and Career Academy: Increase academic performance and achievement o More likely to complete required credits for high school graduation o More likely to attend a 4-year college and complete a bachelor s degree Double the rate at which high-risk students completed core academic curriculum Increase post-high school employment rates and raised wage earnings 8 years after expected high school graduation, especially among young men, without decreasing chances of going to college To respond to community interest in career and technical education 1.3. How is the College and Career Academy different from a traditional high school? Revised and Last Printed: 1/29/2016 Frequently Asked Questions Page 1 of 5
College and Career Academies complement existing high school instructional programs by providing additional access to college and career readiness resources for CCPS high school students across the entire district College and Career Academies provide a choice for students to succeed in a non-traditional environment The College and Career Academy will afford students an opportunity to enroll in advanced academic courses and pathways, which are not an option at their zoned high school. College and Career Academies focuses on technical education, which leads to industry recognizable credentials. o Students will have the opportunity to finish with marketable credentials that leads to employment in high demand, high skill and high wage careers. o Students can earn up to two years of general education credits that are transferrable at various four-year college institutions by pursuing a Technical Specialist Certificate. o Districts can customize instructional paths for student cohort matriculation in high school Theme Schools/programs to include pathway completion of World Languages, IB Career-Related Programmer, Fine Arts, CTAE and/or Advanced Academics. o FTE is not impacted, high school rosters reflect student enrollment and the student s grade based on academy achievement. High schools can still pursue STEM certification when students attend ACCA. o In the specialized instructional design, there must be a component built-in in which Math and Science teachers collaborate on interdisciplinary investigative projects. On-site, off-site, Skype, online and/or teleconference. All courses at the College and Career Academy will be held on site at Atlanta Technical College, given the nature and structure of the program. The College and Career Academy is not an alternative education setting for CCPS students. College and Career Academy is a specialized program, which does not compromise/change the IE2 school application. 1.4. Are there any admission criterion to attend the College and Career Academy? Required for admission for diploma/certificate programs: A specific qualifying score on the ASSET exam or a score of 18 ACT Or, 410 verbal; 410 mathematics (SAT) Required for admission for associate degree programs: A specific qualifying score on the ASSET exam or a score of 20 ACT Or, 450 verbal; 430 mathematics (SAT) 1.5. How much will the Career Academy cost? The Career Academy will be a multi-million dollar investment. Start-up cost will depend upon programming. Operational cost will be paid through state and local funding. All cost will be offset by grants, corporate and higher education partnerships. 2. Parents and Students 2.1. Who can attend the College and Career Academy? High school students Students who test and pass the entrance exam can begin technical college as early as 9 th grade. 2.2. Will my child still attend their zoned school? Revised and Last Printed: 1/29/2016 Frequently Asked Questions Page 2 of 5
Yes. Student will graduate from their zone school. Diplomas will be granted from the zoned high school. 2.3. What is the registration process? Registration for the College and Career Academy will be facilitated by the high school counselor and the Atlanta Technical College High School Initiative Coordinator 2.4. How will my child get to the College and Career Academies? Theme Schools students receive transportation to a Theme school if they reside more than one and one half (1 1/2) mile from the school and live within a designated Theme school Transportation Zone. Students that live outside of the Theme schools Transportation Zone may attend the Theme school if they provide their own transportation to and from school or go to the nearest designated Shuttle bus stop pick- up locations for the Theme schools. Available shuttle bus stops are listed online at www.clayton.k12.ga.us. Additional bus stops will not be created for students who reside within the Theme school Zone. 2.5. What programs will be offered? LHS will offer the Computer Science Pathway and opportunities for dual pathway completion. MHS will offer the Pharmacy and Engineering Drafting and Design Pathways. The ACCA offerings will align within the scope of CCPS/CTAE offerings. 2.6. Will my child still be able to participate in extracurricular activities? Yes, students may continue to participate in extracurricular activities offered at their zoned high school. 2.7. Who will teach the programs offered? Highly qualified staff (both CCPS and Atlanta Technical College Instructors) Instructors will have industry expertise ( teachers can substitute in-field experience for teaching certificate) 2.8. Will my child be safe at the College and Career Academy? Yes, Atlanta Technical College Security Department will serve as the security agent along with assigned CCPS staff. 2.9. How will my child benefit from being a student at the College and Career Academy? College level coursework (Dual Enrollment) Engaging curriculum Industry recognized credentials Mentorship and internship opportunities State of the art equipment 2.10. Will my child be allowed to change their pathway election? It is highly recommended that a student remain consistent with their initial choice of course offerings; however, students may change their option with the guidance of their counselor. 2.11. Can my child in middle school be involved in the College and Career Academy early? No, students in the middle school may not enroll in classes at the College and Career Academy. There will be events catered for middle school students to learn more about various growth careers and offerings at the College and Career Academy as the program develops (e.g. college tours, guest speakers). Revised and Last Printed: 1/29/2016 Frequently Asked Questions Page 3 of 5
2.12. Will there be a unified schedule across all high schools? Yes, all CCPS High School will operate on a 7 period bell schedule with LHS has an exception for theme school students. 2.13. How will I be able to get involved with my child s education at the College and Career Academy? Parents are encouraged to continue to participate in their child s education through public education advocacy and working with the local school administrative team. 2.14. How is the College and Career different than the Perry Learning Academy - Open Campus The Perry Center currently, offers dual enrollment for grades 11 and 12. The students 3. Community 3.1. What are the benefits to my Community? The College and Career Academy will build a skilled workforce. The College and Career Academy will serve as an another educational entity in the Atlanta Community, where students can obtain an industry recognizable credential The College and Career Academy will assist with creating a pipeline for existing Atlanta employers 3.2. Will I have input as a theme school parent? Yes, parents are required to volunteer and be an active participate in their child high school matriculation plans. 4. Business Partners 4.1. What is the role of local businesses in the College and Career Academy? Teachers/Loaned Executive will be industry professionals from the workforce Businesses will be directly involved in creating themes and curriculum to ensure the students at learning current industry standards Partners in Education to address the needs of the workforce for Atlanta, Clayton and Georgia 4.2. What is the role of Higher Education Institutions in the College and Career Academy? Partners in Education to address the educational needs of the workforce for Atlanta, Clayton and Georgia Develop a talent pool of high-skilled and well trained technical applicants for the workforce 4.3. How do I get involved in the College and Career Academy? Contact the Chief Executive Officer of the College and Career Academy Serve on the Advisory Board of the College and Career Academy Serve as an Advocate in your community for the College and Career Academy 4.4. Why should local businesses engage in the College and Career Academy? To train and develop a highly skilled and technical workforce for Atlanta, Clayton and Georgia To invest in the future of Atlanta, Clayton and Georgia through education To develop a pipeline of highly skilled and technical employees Revised and Last Printed: 1/29/2016 Frequently Asked Questions Page 4 of 5
4.5. How will the College and Career Academy impact workforce development? Provide an increased number of highly skilled and well-trained applicants Decrease the unemployment rate Attract businesses to the Atlanta/Clayton region 5. Research says: In Tennessee, Career, Technology Education (CTE) returns $2 for every $1 invested. At the secondary level, CTE program completers account for more than $13 million in annual tax revenues. Middle-skill jobs, jobs that require education and training beyond high school but less than a bachelor's degree, are a significant part of the economy. Of the 55 million job openings created by 2020, 30 percent will require some college or a two-year associate degree. CTE serves 94 percent of all high school students, including male and female students, students from many races and ethnicities, and students from higher and lower income backgrounds. However, at the start of the 21st century, male students; students from smaller, lower income or rural schools; students who have disabilities; and students who enter high school with lower academic achievement were more likely to participate in secondary CTE at higher levels. CTE students on the postsecondary level are also a broad and varied group, but they are more likely than other students to be older, married and working partor full-time. They are also more likely to come from a family background of less educational attainment. Revised and Last Printed: 1/29/2016 Frequently Asked Questions Page 5 of 5