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VOLUSIA COUNTY SCHOOLS Career and Technical Education  Academy Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation

Since 1994, Volusia County Schools have nurtured thriving career academies. The evolution of the career academy model as a part of high school redesign, continues to adapt to meet the needs of the 21st Century student here in Volusia County. With a total of 34 career academies in 2011, the success of the academy model is directly linked to the outstanding teachers, directors, business members, school based administrators, district staff, parents and students who have a stake in the rigorous career based curriculum.

Graduating students who have both career experience and high level academic preparation, is the ultimate goal of career academies. The reality of a world with high stakes testing and increasingly high standards for employment required that Volusia build in the highest standards of quality within their academies. Since **2005, Volusia has** utilized //12 Standards for Career Academies// as a means to evaluate each academy on a yearly basis. Academies must meet minimum standards to retain their gold, silver, or bronze academy status. Integrated curriculum, pure schedule, and common planning are the three key components that separate an academy from any other CTE program. The additional standards further clarify a structure for what an academy should look like. This level of standardization has helped to serve as a benchmark for academies and a way to achieve the goal of measureable outcomes related to academy success.

A unique partnership in Volusia's journey through high school reform developed in 2007. The Ford Motor Fund's //Partnership for Advanced Studies (PAS), Next Generation Learning// initiative revolves around the creation of academically rigorous and relevant career academies coupled with project-based learning, and innovative teaching techniques. Ford PAS materials includes hands-on curriculum and Professional Development Provider (PDP) training for educators that will assist Volusia in taking career academies to the next level. Volusia is proud to be one of a select group of professional learning communities that are partnered with Ford from across the country. Volusia's pairing with Ford has evolved to include 3 pilot career academy sites: DeLand High School's Engineering Academy, Spruce Creek High School's Academy of Information Technology and Robotics, and New Smyrna Beach High School's Academy of Digital Media and Marketing.

In 2010, the implementation of a revised evaluation model was the direct result of feedback from stakeholders. The development of the //Academy Planning, Implementation, and Evaluation Wiki// was a thoughtful process that was intended to move the evaluation process to the next level. Demands on time and resources, both human and financial, have also shaped the changes. This wiki is meant to assist and support Volusia's career academy stakeholders in an effort to continue to maintain the highest quality offerings for the students of Volusia County, FL.