As an objective of PLAN 2020, the strategic plan for public education in Alabama, students will enter Grade 9 prepared and with a four-year plan that addresses their individual academic and career interest needs. A four-year plan allows students to personalize their high school experience, incorporate classes that will lead to their future college major and career, and—perhaps most importantly—ensure that they graduate from high school on time.
At Daphne Middle School, 8th grade students take a semester class, Career Preparedness A (to be followed by Career Preparedness B in 9th grade). It is in this course that students complete their four-year plans. The counselor and teacher work together to individually advise each student in their completion of the four-year plan for high school utilizing the Alabama Career Planning System. The Alabama Career Planning System (www.al.KUDER.com) allows students to investigate the career clusters available at their school with their school counselor and discuss how they may take full advantage of the courses offered through their high school or local community college to challenge themselves, earn college credit early, and explore their interests while completing their requirements. Students create the plan in 8th grade, but review it each school year to ensure that they are still on track.
In addition, the Career Preparedness course focuses on three integrated areas of instruction–academic planning and career development, financial literacy, and technology. Course content ranges from college and career preparation to computer literacy skills to ways to manage personal finances and reduce personal risk. The area of technology is designed to be interwoven throughout course instruction. Mastery of the content standards provides a strong foundation for student acquisition of the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enables them to achieve success in school, at work, and across the life span.
At Daphne Middle School, 8th grade students take a semester class, Career Preparedness A (to be followed by Career Preparedness B in 9th grade). It is in this course that students complete their four-year plans. The counselor and teacher work together to individually advise each student in their completion of the four-year plan for high school utilizing the Alabama Career Planning System. The Alabama Career Planning System (www.al.KUDER.com) allows students to investigate the career clusters available at their school with their school counselor and discuss how they may take full advantage of the courses offered through their high school or local community college to challenge themselves, earn college credit early, and explore their interests while completing their requirements. Students create the plan in 8th grade, but review it each school year to ensure that they are still on track.
In addition, the Career Preparedness course focuses on three integrated areas of instruction–academic planning and career development, financial literacy, and technology. Course content ranges from college and career preparation to computer literacy skills to ways to manage personal finances and reduce personal risk. The area of technology is designed to be interwoven throughout course instruction. Mastery of the content standards provides a strong foundation for student acquisition of the skills, attitudes, and knowledge that enables them to achieve success in school, at work, and across the life span.