Create a comprehensive, sequential model for the development and implementation of career academies in Florida based on national models and best practices as modeled in central Florida.
The nine counties that are a part of the Central Florida Choice Coalition embrace the concept that career academies are small, personalized learning communities within a high school. Students enter the academy through a voluntary process; they must apply and be accepted with parental knowledge and support.
This project includes primary partnerships between Polk, Osceola and Hillsborough Counties as well as expanded partnerships to also include Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Pasco and Sumter Counties.
This project includes primary partnerships between Polk, Osceola and Hillsborough Counties as well as expanded partnerships to also include Indian River, Lake, Manatee, Orange, Pasco and Sumter Counties.
Career Academy administrators and teachers worked in groups to identify career academy needs for future workshops. Presentations were provided by the Florida Department of Education, Mike Nubig as a well-respected SLC/Career Academy Master Scheduling Consultant, and district and career academy representatives experienced in their field.
Attendees completed an evaluation on the career academy sessions and future needs.
Best Practices shared at the February 2010 Career Academy Training
Polk County's Workforce Education Department coordinated a Career Academy training through Perkins Grant funds. Polk's VPSC primary grant partners, Hillsborough County and Osceola County, were invited to attend this event. Copies of all information were provided to those who could not attend.
Polk County also conducted two focus groups for lead academy teachers and developed a survey for teachers to complete. The results of this survey will be shared at the June 2010 VPSC Summer Summit.
In anticipation of the upcoming June 2010 VPSC Summer Summit, the nine coalition districts recently received a survey to request input on conference breakouts and presentations.
Additional Resources
Career Academy Self Assessment Letter
Career Academy Self Assessment
Polk County has created a Career Academies Online Application and will share their website during the 2010 June Summer Summit and discuss the valuable student data that can be obtained by using this method to collect applications for students to attend Career Academies.
Best Practices shared at the June 2010 VPSC Training held in St. Petersburg, FL
Career Academy presentations were provided by the Florida Department of Education, Mark Thompson and many other experts on various career academy initiatives, including STEM, curriculum mapping, Industry certifications, and others.
Best Practices shared at the June 2011 Career Academy Training held in St. Petersburg
Career Academy presentations were shared at the June 2011 Career Academy Training.
Best Practices shared at the June 2012 Career Academy Training held in St. Petersburg
Career Academy presentations were shared at the June 2011 Career Academy Training the following attachments were provided to participants.