Do Career Academies Make a Difference? National Tech Prep Network Conference Minneapolis, Minnesota October 15, 2004

Two Programs / One System

Partnerships are KEY!  Kirkwood Community College  Grant Wood Area Education Agency  33 School Districts  Regional Employers  Community Organizations  Government Entities

What do I want to do after high school? What career options are out there?

What High School Students Want  Better preparation for college  Relevant, hands-on learning  Meaningful career experiences  Speakers, tours, job shadows, & internships  Rewards  Skill/competency certificates  Scholarships  College credit

Career Edge Academies Core Elements  design  Career & academic coursework  Individual career/education plan  High school PLUS college credit  Competency certificates  Work-based learning experiences  Valuable scholarships

Unique Features  Regional Initiative  33 School Districts  Flexible Format  Academy within a School  Shared Off-Sites – Community College, Hospital, Auto Center, etc.  Regular School Hours, After-School Hours, Weekends  Academies are Academic Department-Based

Career Pathway Planning Guide LA 9 Language Arts Grade 9 Pre-Algebra or Algebra Math Environmental Science ScienceSocial Science Algebra Academy Class ElectivesOff Campus Experience LA 10Algebra II or Geometry Biology or Chemistry or Earth Sciences World HistoryOr Algebra 10 LA 11Geometry or Algebra II Principles of Technology I U.S. HistoryDC Fundamentals – 3 hrs. Electronic Practices I – 2.5 hrs Principles of Tech I – 3 hrs Job Shadowing Engineering Orientation – 1 hr (Jr. or Sr. year) 11 LA 12Senior year Math and/or Tech Math at KCC Principles of Technology II Government and Economics Electronic Circuits 3-4 hrs Electronic Practices II – 4.5 hrs. Technical Math – 4 hrs. Principles of Tech II – 3 hrs Senior Internship TBD Electronic Circuits I, Electronic Practices II and Technical Math at KCC 12 College/University Programs Associate of Applied Science Degree Transfers to – Electromechanical Technology or Technology Management or Electrical and Information Engineering Technology at University Of Northern Iowa Associate OF Science Degree Pre-Engineering Transfers to – Engineering- University Of Iowa Engineering – Iowa State University Community College Programs Two Year Associate Degree Programs Electronics Engineering Technology Industrial Maintenance Technology CAD/Mechanical Engineering Technology Telecommunications Pre-Engineering-2 yr. Transfer Program (H.S. courses may count as electives) Engineering and Engineering Technology Academy Engineering Technology Strand

Providing Work-Based Learning Experiences  Tours  Speakers  Job shadows  Internships Connecting youth with the new world of work

Kirkwood Community College Industrial Technology Department  Career Edge Academy Programs  Automotive Technology  Engineering and Engineering Technology  Graphics and Media Communication

 Today’s cars are complex  Not rags & wrenches anymore  Highly-trained technicians are in demand  Salaries to start — $21-$26,000  4 introductory classes  12 college credits

 You choose the pathway  High Tech or Pre-Engineering  Salary range — $22-$60,000  Year 13 courses 9 ½ college credits  Year 2  Tech4 courses 13 ½ college credits  Pre-Eng2 courses6 college credits

 Blending “ art ” and technology  Many career options  Salaries to start — $16-$21,000  $31-$48,000 advanced  3 hands-on introductory courses  9 college credits

Departmental Responsibilities  Curriculum  Faculty Selection & Credentials  State Program Approval  Faculty Development  Competency Certificate Development  Advisory Committee  Program Budget  Coordination with Career Edge Council & The Workplace Learning Connection

A Short …but interesting…Story!

In 1994, the School-to-Work Opportunities Act was passed by Congress, supported by the Departments of Education and Labor, and implemented by the newly formed National School-to-Work Office (NSTWO).

$1.85 billion dollars was allocated to be distributed over seven years to all states and territories. In 1995, Iowa was awarded $23.8 million dollars, an Iowa School-to-Work office was established, and a competitive grant process was initiated through the area education agencies.

Employers, organizations, and communities became excited about opportunities to get involved with school kids and teachers. Teachers became excited about the opportunity to help kids connect school and their futures and made lots of calls to employers!

…and everyone went a little crazy…

Thoughtful people convened…  Business  Cedar Rapids Area & Iowa City Area Chambers of Commerce  Priority One & ICAD Group  Iowa Workforce Development  Business, Industry & Labor  Education  Kirkwood Community College  Grant Wood Area Education Agency  Area 10 School Districts …and they wondered…

…could they pull it all together?

…and, they DID it!!! a single point of contact for business and education a “matchmaker” for work-based learning coordination activities a system for career, future workforce, & economic development …an INTERMEDIARY!

Established June 1, 1998 A 501(c)(3) partnership of Kirkwood Community College & Grant Wood Area Education Agency

Partnering with educators, employers, and communities to prepare students to enter and succeed in the new world of work. VISION / MISSION Developing our future workforce by connecting business and education in relevant, work-based learning activities for K-12 students and teachers

27 Services include: Job Shadows (2-8 hours) Practicums / Internships (45 / 90 hours) “HOW CAN I MAKE CAREER CONNECTIONS? WHO CAN HELP ME DO IT?”

28 “I WANT TO EXPLORE REAL CAREER OPPORTUNITIES. ALL I WANT IS TO SUCCEED.” Speakers, Worksite Tours, Career Fairs

29 Career Academy Work-Based Learning Support “I REALLY COULDN’T TELL WHAT PEOPLE DID FOR A LIVING WITHOUT SEEING AND FEELING IT FOR MYSELF.”

BUT…does it make a difference?? Student Participation in Job Shadows, Practicums, & Internships…

Academy Programs - Connect HS & World of Work Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Disagree

Academy Programs - Influence Choice of Classes Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Disagree

YES! It does!! Student Participation in Job Shadows, Practicums, & Internships…

Academy Programs - Influence Selection of Career Field Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Disagree

Academy Programs - Influence Postsecondary Planning Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Disagree

YES! It does make a difference! Student Participation in Job Shadows, Practicums, & Internships…

Academy Programs - Increase Awareness of Local Careers Strongly Agree Strongly Disagree Somewhat Agree Disagree

Career Academy Data Shows… Students were better prepared & better informed to make postsecondary education and career decisions and, as a result, less remediation was needed at the postsecondary level…

Prepared for College Level Rigor Class of

Prepared for College Level Rigor Class of

Career Academy Data Shows… The Academy curriculum is rigorous, relevant to student interests, and students are earning college credit and scholarships, and, as a result, students are persisting in those college career areas.

Academy Students Continuing at Kirkwood - Class of

Persisting in Kirkwood Program or Related Field - Class of

Career Academies and Work-Based Learning…do make a difference! When students are building relationships with local employers in career areas related to their interests through job shadows, practicums, internships, and Academy programs… students are hired by local employers!

St. Luke’s Hospital Cedar Rapids, IA  Internship Participation from  42 high school student interns  38 completed the 90-hour internship successfully  Return on St. Luke’s Investment  11 hired in various capacities from part-time summer help to full-time professional staff  Savings related to recruitment and training

Do Career Academies Make a Difference?

I am better informed about my future! I feel better prepared for my career! Kirkwood Community College