| College Career Academies |
CCollege Career Academies are a comprehensive STEM
initiative. Academies initiated during 2006-2007 included
the following: Medial Health (5 academies, 14 high schools,
98 students per semester), Information Technology (9
academies, 19 high schools, 174 students per semester), and
Project Lead The Way-Engineering (3 academies, 5 high
schools, 180 students per semester). For 2007-2008, new
academies and courses will be added. An education academy
will begin in 2008-2009 following a planning year. For
2007-2008, all but one of the regions 26 high schools will
participate in one or more of these academies. A key for
College Career Academies is a strong professional
development component. With each career and technical course
offered (most are concurrent enrollment), five days of
professional development are required for every teacher for
each course taught. All career and technical teachers
teaching academies courses must attend to be certified to
teach these courses and they must attend annual
recertification sessions. Because a background in math and
science is critical for success in college career academies,
this project also has a professional development component
designed for these content areas. To date, all of the
region's teachers of anatomy and physiology, chemistry,
biology, and algebra II have undergone three days of
professional development. During the summer of 2008, the
entire region's algebra I, geometry, and physics teachers
will participate in three days of professional development.
The focus of these sessions is curriculum alignment with
emphasis on rigor and relevance. The project also includes a
one-stop agency for related student and teacher workplace
experiences (classroom speakers, workplace tours, job
shadows, internships, and teachers in the workplace). To
date, 60 businesses have signed partnership agreements.
Project Status: Current |
Iowa West Foundation ($2.4 million through AY 2007-2008), Kern Foundation, (for 5 PLTW sites), Tech Prep, Perkins. |
Loess Hills AEA 13, local businesses and industry, all of
the region's high schools. |
Richard Christie
Director College and Career Academies
IWCC - 13
712-366-0503 ext. 237
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