NORTHWEST GEORGIA COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMY

1. NORTHWEST GEORGIA COLLEGE & CAREER ACADEMY And Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE)

2. Mission The mission of the Northwest Georgia College & Career Academy is “To develop a 21st century workforce through world-class Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE).”

3. Purpose “If 80% of the workforce of tomorrow is going to need some kind of technical training, we need more students on a technical path of learning, that’s what career academies, like CEC, accomplish.…A career academy is a partnership between the high school as well as the technical college and the business community and all three players have to be at the table, focused on the need of that individual student.  This is about bringing relevance to education.” -Georgia Lieutenant Governor, Casey Cagle

4. What we Do • Provide CTAE to the entire district from grades 5-14. • Make school relevant to students by bringing real world experiences into the classroom. • Bridge the gap between high school and college. • Expand opportunities for students who are ready to move ahead.

5. What Will Be Different? Current Model New Model

6. Northwest Georgia College & Career Academy Other New & Existing Businesses

7. Need for charter schoolWhat makes us different/unique? • Focus on Career, Technical, and Agriculture Education (CTAE) and Pathway Completion • Focus on Needs of Business • Focus on Post-Secondary Transition • Ensure Industry Standards in Pathways • Governing board focused on curriculum • Governing board focused on pathways • Governing board focused on needs • Flexibility in Time • On-the-job training will require seat time waivers • Flexibility in Staff • Hire industry certified personal • Share staff with GNTC/DSC (January 1st time)

8. Goals • Every Student will have an “Individual Completion Plan” • Middle school assessment • Pathway identification • Dual enrollment/work-based learning opportunity • Graduation/Pathway completion • Post-secondary plan • Ensure alignment of CTAE programs with forecasted employment and economic data. • Conduct surveys of stakeholders to develop plans for areas of need. • Centralize high cost programs at Career Academy campus and low cost programs at the satellite campuses. • Provide business/industry exposure and experiences for all teachers.

9. How it would look for students • Middle Grades • 7th – Exploratory Programs • Engineering (Manufacturing) • Business Education • Health Science • Agriculture • Family Consumer Science • 8th – Pathway Intention • Interest Inventory • Information on Careers • Job Site Visits • Pathway Intent Form (With parents input) • Dual Enrollment Information for Grade 10

10. How would it look for Students • High School • 9th Grade • Entering into Pathway • Satisfaction Survey • 10th Grade • Second Phase of Pathway Completion • Information about Work Based Learning (WBL) • Test for Dual Enrollment/Move on When Ready/Accel • Students/Parents find out about GNTC/DSC • 11th/12th Grade • Enter Dual Enrollment • Work Based Learning (On the job training) • Complete Pathway • Certificate • Degree • Diploma • Enter or Continue into Workforce/College • End of Pathway Assessment

11. WHAT DOES THIS LOOK LIKE FOR BUSINESS/INDUSTRY? Business Directed Stronger CTAE Programs Responsive to Business/Industry Needs Cost Control – elimination of duplicate programs, equipment, supplies, salaries, etc. More Extensive Career Education – grades 6-14 Higher Skilled Workforce

12. Next Steps/Path Forward • Charter Renewal • BOD (August) • Approval by Whitfield County BOE (August) • Due by November 1st • Moved to September 13th due to grant • Grant Application • Technical College System of Georgia Grant • $3.2 million • September 13th • Utility Academy Grant • To form Utilities Academy • $386,000 for three years • Elect new BOD • Implement/Execute Plan