Susan Katzman, National Career Academy Coalition President 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow Using the National Standards to Strengthen Your Career Academy

Skills Gap How many of this year’s kindergarten class will find themselves in jobs that don’t even exist today? 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

New College Degree Programs Added in the Last 10 Years New Media Biotechnology Organic Agriculture Homeland Security E-Business/E-Marketing Computer Game Design Forensic Accounting Human Computer Interaction Society & the Environment Nanotechnology

2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow To…. Blend Career and Academic Instruction with Real World Experiences Provide…. 21 st Century Rigor and Relevance to enter the workforce well prepared and to start a career with life-long skills Bridge the Gap…. WHY?

2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow Times Have Changed!

Do You Know? What percent of 9 th graders actually complete high school? Source: One – Third of a Nation (ETS 2005) 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Transition through high school and to college Source: Education Weekly March Start 9 th Grade % Leave with 0 Credits 31%

Why do they leave? Source: The silent epidemic: Perspectives of high school dropouts – Civic Enterprises, Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Students are Taking More Academics 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

BUT They are not reading better…. Not learning more science…. Not getting better at math either… Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

The Problem: More “core academics” ≠ improved academic performance 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Small Learning Communities Small, safe, and supportive learning environments that are personalized and inclusive of all students Challenging, rigorous, and relevant curriculum that prepares students for college, careers, and productive citizenship Collaborative partnerships among educators, parents, businesses, and other community resources that broaden learning opportunities 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

What Differentiates Career Academies from other Small Learning Communities? Partnerships with business and community organizations Contextual career themes Integrated lessons Business mentors Internships Estimate at least 3,500 career academies nationally 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

MDRC Manpower Demonstration Research Corporation Created in 1974 by the Ford Foundation and a group of federal agencies, MDRC is best known for mounting large-scale evaluations of real- world policies and programs targeted to low- income people. One of the major policies studied is school reform 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Significantly cut dropout rates Increased attendance rates, credits earned toward graduation, and preparation for post- secondary education Extended positive effects on school engagement to both high-risk and medium-risk students Improved the likelihood of students graduating on time Increased teachers’ satisfaction Study completed in Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Career Academies Long-Term Impacts on Labor Market Outcomes, Educational Attainment, and Transitions to Adulthood James J. Kemple  The Career Academies produced sustained earnings gains that averaged 11 percent (or $2,088) more per year for Academy group members than for individuals in the non-Academy group — a $16,704 boost in total earnings over the eight years of follow-up (in 2006 dollars) Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Continued………  These labor market impacts were concentrated among young men, a group that has experienced a severe decline in real earnings in recent years. Through a combination of increased wages, hours worked, and employment stability, real earnings for young men in the Academy group increased by $3,731 (17 percent) per year — or nearly $30,000 over eight years.  The Career Academies produced an increase in the percentage of young people living independently with children and a spouse or partner. Young men also experienced positive impacts on marriage and being custodial parents Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Academy Goals To simultaneously prepare students with the skills and knowledge needed for success in the workplace and/or post-secondary education. To develop and reinforce the academic skills necessary to raise student achievement on high-stakes tests Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

To focus curriculum planning and professional development around student needs to achieve the academic standards and essential skills required for the real world. To involve the human, technical and financial resources of the corporate and college communities so as to present students with possibilities for their future Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

National Standards of Practice Designers Career Academy Support Network (CASN) National Career Academy Coalition (NCAC) National Academy Foundation (NAF) High Schools That Work (HSTW)/SREB Talent Development (CRESPAR) And others 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

10 Components I.Defined Mission and Goals II.Academy Structure III.Host District and High School IV.Faculty & Staff V.Professional Development VI.Governance & Leadership VII.Curriculum & Instruction VIII.Employer, Higher Education & Community Involvement IX.Student Assessment X.Cycle of Improvement 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

Redefine the High School Experience Your students will want to come to school. Your teachers will want to teach. Communities and employers will reap the benefits of well-prepared graduates ready to take on the world Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow

The NCAC Academy Review Helps administration/team members discover how well they have met the National Standards Validates the time and effort of academy work Demonstrates where they need to tweak their efforts Provides a platform for sustainability Offers commendations and recommendations 2009 Institute for Staff Development Students Today, Leaders Tomorrow