Standard 14: Students develop STEM skills and cross-cutting competencies that support workforce readiness.
Concept 1: School/program has identified discipline-specific skills and cross-cutting competencies (ie 21st Century Skills, soft skills) and aligned sources of student performance data for each of these areas.
We do a variety of workforce readiness activities. Some activities are suggested by organizations like FBLA or GaBEST. However, other activities are used to supplement local needs like research the industries in our community. We also have a school wide rubric that addresses work ready skills in the classroom.
Future Business Leader Friday Assignments
The Computer Science department is affiliated with the Future Business Leaders of America as our Career and Technical Student Organziation (CTSO). We often take time out of our week to address concepts and issues related to the organization. A lot of times the assignments are to prepare students for the workforce, but sometimes they are just for fun. Below are links to examples of assignments given in the appropriate level pathway class.
Career Assignments
The Computer Science department constantly evaluates trends in the industry to address changes in career curriculum. Sometimes, assignments address broad concepts and other assignments may address specific careers of need in the area. Below is a sample of career activities taught in the Computer Science pathway.
Soft Skills
Our State started using GaBEST as a curriculum to help address shortfalls in work force readiness skills sometime around 2019. The Computer Science department uses the curriculum to teach students about employability skills. Completing work in the GaBEST program also qualifies students to earn a Work Ready Seal on their diploma. Below is a sample of GaBEST assignments for our students.
Work Ethics Rubric
The Work Ethics Rubric is a classroom rubric that teachers use to assess a student's work ethic. Up until 2019, our whole school implemented the rubric as a category in our Powerschool gradebook. After 2019, our school system migrated to Infinite Campus. The category for the Work Ethics grade isn't available, but teachers are still encouraged to use the rubric as a way to discuss work readiness skills in all classes.
On the Clock Grading
On the Clock Grading is something we came up with when students are working on long term projects. The premise is that students will be rewarding for working hard. Sometimes the projects we work on actually fail or can't be completed. Instead of having a failing grade for the project, points are awarded by the amount of effort by the student. A nice benefit to this grading system is students are more likely to take risks on projects that may not end in success.
Concept 2: STEM events, curriculum and learning activities provide opportunities for career exploration and workplace experiences.
The Computer Science department is always evaluating the trends in the Computer Science industry for opportunities for career exploration. Career lessons focus on teaching specific careers to introduction students. More experienced students explore careers by attending career fairs, college expos, and eventually end with an internship.
Career Lessons
We teach career lessons to introduction students to address possible Computer Science careers in our region. We also explore college majors, professional organizations and careers that involve Computer Science, but not directly.
Internships
Our school has a robust Work Based Learning program which is the way most students participate in internships at our school. The program offers a wide array of jobs in various industries. The Computer Science department is trying to create more partnerships for students to work as interns. Currently, our department has partnerships with Tanner Health Systems, SMI, iScribe and Southwire. We are working on adding a few more in the future. The links below highlight the schools past reports of our Work Based Learning Program.
2019-2020 WBL Report
2017-2018 WBL Report
2016-2017 WBL Report
2019-2020 WBL Report
2017-2018 WBL Report
2016-2017 WBL Report
Senior Career Fair
This is a Career Fair for those seniors interested in beginning their careers in full-time employment. The positions offer opportunities for advancement, health care benefits, and possible tuition reimbursement or apprenticeship opportunities. It is usually held in April and is sponsored by the Carroll County Department of Labor and Carroll County Schools.
Career Expo
The Career Expo is for 10th graders to learn about career areas they are interested in and might want to pursue. The students attend three 30-minute presentations conducted by local business people. The career areas are identified and are in correlation with the student's YouScience assessment results, which the students completed in 9th grade. The Expo is sponsored by the Carrollton High School Career Center in March on the UWG campus.
College Fair
Seniors are invited to attend the annual Probe College Fair held at the UWG Coliseum in September. There are approximately 60-70 college admission counselors on site who share information and answer questions regarding the specific schools. The Fair is managed by the Georgia Education Articulation Committee (GEAC), whose mission is to disseminate information and stimulate interest in post-secondary education for Georgia students.