Ann White

State Department of Education

February, 2007

EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 2005

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 Carolina’s 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… In middle school… In high school…

Students will learn about a variety of professions through career awareness activities.

Students will explore careers to identify clusters of study relevant to their aspirations and abilities.

Students will experience a variety of professional opportunities through job shadowing, apprenticeships or internships.

Beginning in the 8th grade, students will write and annually update an Individual Graduation Plan (IGP) with help from guidance specialists and parents or parental designees.

In the 10th grade, students will declare a major based on their chosen cluster of study.

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 student’s future a success

K–5: Career AwarenessIntroduction to the world of careers

6–8: Career ExplorationDiscovering interest areas

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

9–12: Career PreparationAcademics and technical courses, intensive guidance, individual graduation plans

Post-secondary: Career PreparationAchieving credentials: college, certification, apprenticeships, military

Employment: Career AdvancementContinuing education and lifelong learning

Let’s look at each component:

1. The SC Comprehensive DevelopmentalGuidance 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

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.

The mission statement of the Guidance and Counseling Program Model

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, real-world 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 student’s 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 student’s 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 2006–07 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 10 11 12

Math–Four Units Algebra I Geometry Algebra II Pre-Calculus

English–Four Units English I English II English III English IV

Science–Three Units Physical Science

Biology Chemistry or Physics

Physics or Biology II

Social Studies–Three Units One unit of Social Studies U.S. History Economics/ Government

Required Courses for Major–Four Units Health Science Technology I, II, III, IV; Medical Terminology; Others

Complementary Coursework Anatomy & Physiology, AP Biology, AP Calculus, Emergency Medical Services, Sports Medicine

Career-oriented Learning Opportunities Career Mentoring, Shadowing, Service Learning, Internship, Cooperative Education, Senior Projects

Professional Opportunities After Post-secondary Education

2-Year Degree: Dental Hygienist, Paramedic, Registered Nurse4-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 writingteam (1999). South Carolina comprehensivedevelopmental guidance and counseling program model. Columbia, SC: SC Department of Education.