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

Increase postsecondary attainment.

US Department of Education 2014

Career Academy Outcomes

Help industries hire American workers.

US Department of Education 2014

Career Academy Outcomes

Improve the earning prospects of students.

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

Labor market impacts were concentrated

among young men

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