Career and College Readiness Portfolio Components

Academic and Aptitude History: Academic history of the student will be researched and closely analyzed. Classroom success in core subject areas, curriculum pathways, local assessments, and standardized testing will be documented and reviewed. These components will be tools to help assess strengths, weaknesses, and possible career pathways.

Career Cluster Interests: Using the 16 Career Cluster national model students will identify four to six career clusters that are of moderate to high interest. Cluster exploration will be based on well-defined activities to determine interest.

Career Interest: Within the identified clusters students will examine specific career related interest areas. Close examination of core tasks, work place environment, education pathways, earnings/job outlook, and detailed job satisfaction data will be examined.

Program of Study: Students will develop a well-defined and purposeful curriculum pathway of study for their high school programming. This component will focus on aligning a high school curriculum path with a purposeful and direct career/college program.

Post-Secondary Education Plan: (This is begun in middle school, but completed at the high school level.) Students will identify college placements that support the intended fields of study. Close examination will be given to admission requirements and school affordability. In addition, careful consideration will be given to program entrance requirements for desired field of study.

Financial Planning: (This is begun in middle school, but completed at the high school level.) College debt can be a staggering obstacle for the future of any young person. Options will be explored for all students to develop a plan that will make a college experience financially viable.

College Portfolio: (This is begun in middle school but completed at the high school level.) Extracurricular activities, work experiences, and volunteer experiences will be organized for the express purpose of organizing a college level portfolio.

The above criterions constitute a brief overview of the major goals of Academic and Career Planning. The opportunities for today’s students are endless, but the roads to navigate these opportunities are challenging. Current data tells us that 70% of current high school seniors will never successfully achieve a post-secondary degree. Thorough planning strategies are imperative steps that will ensure success.