EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2005

Ann White State Department of Education February, 2007

Now is the time to prepare South Carolina students to compete in a global economy
When I was growing up, my parents used to say to me, Tom, finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving. Today I tell my girls, Finish your homework. People in China and India are starving for your jobs.

Thomas L. Friedman, The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century

If 85% of jobs require education or training beyond high school, then South Carolina students must be provided with:
Exposure to the entire range of professional opportunities that exist Programs to help them choose classroom courses relevant to their aspirations and abilities Ongoing guidance and support from educators, counselors and parents or parental designees Experiential interaction with professionals in their chosen fields to understand job requirements and employer expectations

Solution

To achieve statewide prosperity, South Carolinas students must graduate at higher rates with education plans that prepare them to compete in the global economy.

Education and Economic Development Act of 2005 (EEDA), has set up a system using Personal Pathways to Success and the SC Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model to help students meet the challenges of today's economy. The primary purpose of this legislation is to better prepare SC students with the educational tools needed for postsecondary study and 21st century careers.

Personal Pathways to Success empowers youth by making education relevant to their aspirations and abilities, promising a better economy and quality of life for everyone in South Carolina. The SC Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model helps students to become aware of the world of work, explore career options, and prepare for post-secondary opportunities.

Through Personal Pathways to Success and the Guidance and Counseling Program Model, all students will have the resources to identify, explore and attain their career and employment goals.
In elementary school Students will learn about a variety of professions through career awareness activities. In middle school Students will explore careers to identify clusters of study relevant to their aspirations and abilities. In high school Students will experience a variety of professional opportunities through job shadowing, apprenticeships or internships. In the 10 grade, students will declare a major based on their chosen cluster of study.
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Beginning in the 8 grade, students will write and annually update an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) with help from guidance specialists and parents or parental designees.

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Students will plan and prepare for post-secondary study, specialized training or employment with input from parents or parental designees, educators, counselors and the business community.

Every step along the Pathway is crucial to making each students future a success
Employment: Career Advancement
Continuing education and lifelong learning

Post-secondary: Career Preparation

Achieving credentials: college, certification, apprenticeships, military

912: Career Preparation

Academics and technical courses, intensive guidance, individual graduation plans

8: Transition
Choosing a cluster of study and major (can change easily at any time)

68: Career Exploration

Discovering interest areas

K5: Career Awareness

Introduction to the world of careers

Lets look at each component:

1. The SC Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model

2. Career Cluster of Study and Individual Graduation Plans (IGP).

SC Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model

The Guidance and Counseling Program Model contains the following clearly defined components:

Beliefs and Philosophies Mission Statement Standards for Students Academic Career Personal/Social Development

The philosophy of the Guidance and Counseling Program Model

Is based upon the following beliefs... All children are unique and should be respected with dignity, can succeed at high levels, needs appropriate personal/ social skills to achieve beyond the educational program Learning is a lifelong process Fostering a positive self-image is a collaborative effort of the school, home, community leading to responsible and productive citizenship The needs and diversity of all students are addressed at all educational levels The guidance program is an integral part of the overall educational program and serves as a critical link to the instructional program and community

The mission statement of the Guidance and Counseling Program Model Is: To assist school districts and communities with the planning, development, implementation, and assessment of a school guidance and counseling program that supports the personal, social, educational, and career development of all students PreK-12. To assist school districts in complying with state regulations.

SC Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program Model Standards

Academic Development = Learning to Learn Career Development = Learning to Work Personal/ Social Development = Learning to Live

See link to Standards and Competency Indicators

Academic Development = Learning to Learn

Students will: develop personal qualities that contribute to being an effective learner. employ strategies to achieve school success. understand the interrelationship of life in the school, home, community, and society.

Career Development = Learning to Work

Students will: understand the relationships among personal qualities, education and training, and the world of work. demonstrate decision making, goal setting, problem solving, and communication skills. explore careers and the connection of school to work and community. demonstrate a positive attitude toward work and the ability to work together.

Personal/ Social Development = Learning to Live

Students will understand and appreciate self. understand and appreciate others. understand and appreciate home and family. develop sense of community. make decision, set goals, and take action. develop safety and survival skills.

Clusters of Study and Individual Graduation Plans

Career clusters are courses of study organized around different sets of occupations. Schools partner with businesses and other local institutions to provide students with the chance to get hands-on, realworld experience in the field of their choice.

Individual Graduation Plans (IGPs) identify the academic coursework and serves as a road map to guide students toward their goals. It is flexible and can changed based on student interest and ability.

Clusters of Study
A/V Technology and Communications Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources Architecture and Construction Business, Management and Administration Education and Training Finance Government and Public Administration Health Science Hospitality and Tourism Human Services Information Technology Manufacturing Marketing, Sales and Service Public Safety and Security Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Transportation, Distribution and Logistics

Clusters of study provide focus and direction as students plan their coursework
There are 16 clusters of study as established by the U.S. Department of Education School districts will offer courses organized around these clusters of study Clusters will include majors; four required courses are in each major Each school district will offer a minimum of three clusters (July, 2007)

An Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) is a road map that guides students toward their education, career or employment goals
An IGP also: Includes general graduation requirements as well as coursework and out-of-classroom learning opportunities related to the students cluster of study Encourages students to begin planning for their futures now, making them more aware of what it takes to achieve their goals Is flexible and can change based on a students aspirations, abilities and interests May include career and academic assessments ++

Parents and parental designees are an integral part of Personal Pathways to Success
Along with school counselors, parents or parental designees are expected to: Help students choose a cluster of study Offer input when students write their IGP Help students prepare for post-secondary study, specialized training or employment after graduation Provide encouragement and support for students as they work toward attaining their goals

Beginning in the 200607 school year, all 8th grade public school students will choose a cluster of study and write an IGP with input from their school counselor and parents or parental designees
A Sample Individual Graduation Plan
Cluster of Study: Health Science Major: Health Treatment Specialties

Required Core for Graduation 9

MathFour Units

10
Geometry Algebra II

11

12
Pre-Calculus

Algebra I

EnglishFour Units
ScienceThree Units Social StudiesThree Units

English I
Physical Science

English II
Biology

English III
Chemistry or Physics U.S. History

English IV
Physics or Biology II Economics/ Government

One unit of Social Studies

Required Courses for MajorFour Units Complementary Coursework Career-oriented Learning Opportunities Professional Opportunities After Postsecondary Education

Health Science Technology I, II, III, IV; Medical Terminology; Others Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, AP Calculus, Emergency Medical Services, Sports Medicine Career Mentoring, Shadowing, Service Learning, Internship, Cooperative Education, Senior Projects 2-Year Degree: Dental Hygienist, Paramedic, Registered Nurse 4-Year Degree or Higher: Athletic Trainer, Pharmacist, Physical Therapist, Medical Doctor

IGP Conference Individual conference with every student Parent/guardian/designee must attend Cluster chosen by student IGP signed by counselor, student, and parent Numbers tallied for report

Counselor Role Lead conference (meet with parent and student) Interpret assessments, academic record Integrate career cluster and academic plan Introduce IGP, sign

Personal Pathways to Success empowers youth by making education relevant to their aspirations and abilities, promising a better economy and quality of life for everyone in South Carolina.

References
Personal Pathways to Success (White, A., 2007) SC State Department of Education, Columbia, SC. The South Carolina guidance & counseling writing team (1999). South Carolina comprehensive developmental guidance and counseling program model. Columbia, SC: SC Department of Education.