Establishing Career Academies
Preparing students for post-secondary pathways
This research brief explores how to effectively establish Career Academies. The Career Academy model—which aligns high school curricula with career themes and creates a more personalized educational environment through small learning communities—prepares students for postsecondary pathways in college and careers. The brief examines districts’ motivations for implementing Career Academies and discusses Academy design components, such as industry partnerships, work-based learning experiences, and general career education.
Prepare students for postsecondary pathways
The Career Academy model—which aligns high school curricula with career themes and creates a more personalized educational environment through small learning communities—prepares students for postsecondary pathways in college and careers. Contacts at profiled districts report that they implemented Career Academies to increase high school appeal and improve student academic and behavioral outcomes. For example, contacts at District A report that students zoned for the district often choose to enroll in high schools outside of the district through the school choice option. To increase the appeal of District A’s single high school and ultimately retain students in the district, administrators established Career Academies.
Align Academies with evolving industry needs
For example, administrators at District C met with the Human Resources departments of local employers to learn about projected company growth and hiring needs in the next five to eight years. Administrators at multiple profiled districts also reviewed workforce data. For example, administrators at District D reviewed regional workforce data from a nonprofit that leads talent development programs—and administrators at District A reviewed real-time job market analyses (e.g., data on local employer demand for specific skills and industry credentials) from Burning Glass. Administrators at profiled institutions used insights from these sources to identify industries with high-demand jobs and subsequently align Career Academy themes with these industries.
Establish internships through industry partners
At District C, students in the Health and Human Services Academy intern at local assisted-living facilities, hospitals, and neighborhood health clinics. In addition to gaining industry-specific knowledge and skills, students who participate in internships hone their professional skills, receive feedback on their resume and cover letter, and earn course credit. Administrators at District C and District F designate a school or district administrator to oversee internships for students. By assigning one administrator to manage the internship process, administrators streamline communications between the school and business partners.
Ford Next Generation learning (NGL) partners with over 35 districts across 15 states
Partner with external nonprofits
Administrators at District A, District B, District D, and District E partner with Ford Next Generation Learning (NGL). Contacts at these profiled districts cite planning and implementation support as the primary advantage to this partnership. Administrators at District F collaborate with the National Academy Foundation (NAF), which offers industry-relevant curricula and assists districts as they establish business partnerships. Both nonprofits help districts implement Career Academies that combine academically rigorous college preparatory curricula with career and technical education.
The National Academy Foundation (NAF) sponsors 617 Academies across 35 states
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