The Vision
Imagine a school system in which every student graduates ready for college and career. In this
system, all students want to succeed, and they have the tools they need to achieve now and in
the future.
Every person in every school community can help students --in elementary, middle and high
school -- develop the skills and aspirations that are critical in preparing for college and
careers.
What Does it Mean?
o Being “college ready” means being prepared for any postsecondary education or training experience, including
study at technical colleges or two and four-year institutions (1, 2, 4 or more years of study) leading to a
postsecondary credential.
o Being “career ready” means being prepared for a career not just a job. A career provides a family-sustaining wage
and pathways to advancement and requires postsecondary training or education. A job may be obtained with only
a high school diploma, but offers no guarantee of advancement or mobility.
•
Greg Sanders 8/20/2012
Charting a Course
Iron County School District is committed to increasing K-12 student performance and ensuring that our
education system prepares ALL students for postsecondary education or today’s workplace. College and
Career Readiness prepares students in reading, oral and writing communications, teamwork, critical
thinking, problem solving, workplace relations, computer skills, mathematics and much more to be
successful in any and all future endeavors. In short, we are preparing students to look beyond filling their
schedule with only the graduation requirements; they will be on a pathway to a career.
Making it Happen
Iron County students are high achieving and we have worked to create the rigor necessary for
success by implementing the Utah core and placing high academic standards throughout our
district. CCR will provide the vehicle with which we can assist students in moving forward and
making their dreams a reality. CCR will help equip students with the tools and knowledge they
need to make decisions about their future goals.
Creating an Attitude of Excellence
o CCR will give students an opportunity to have more and earlier exposure to the idea that a high school
diploma is not the end of their education rather a platform for their goals.
o Students will understand continuing their education entails 1, 2, 4 or more years of training.
o Parental support is also essential to encourage the student during this exploratory process.
Keys to Success
o Students will engage in grade level activities in order to determine skills and aptitudes as well as future
career goals.
o Students will have opportunities to engage in community service throughout their academic career.
o Students will use UtahFutures.org to take assessments and help create a portfolio.
o Students will meet with counselors to evaluate the information obtained and determine a plan.
• Fall and Spring CCR planning meetings at all grade levels 6-12
Pathways to Success
o
Counselors, advisors, career coaches will meet with students and parents to determine an appropriate pathway.
o
Each pathway encompasses a broad range of careers providing students with a direction rather than limiting them to one career choice.
o
There are 7 Pathways including:
• Arts
• Career and Technology Education
• Communication
• Life Science
• Math
• Physical Science
• Social Science
Providing the Keys
o 6th grade- Investigate
• Students will begin a portfolio that will follow them through high school.
• Students will take a career assessment and investigate careers.
o 7th grade- Research
• Students will engage in career development activities and add to their portfolio.
• Students will research careers.
o 8th grade- Explore
• Students will take the “EXPLORE” test in addition to other assessments available on UtahFutures, adding to their
portfolio.
• Data from the “Explore” and the UtahFutures portfolio will be used to determine a pathway and a four-year plan will be
established to assist the student’s transition to high school.
Creating the Plan
o
9th grade- Transition
• Following the four-year plan (updating and changing as necessary).
• Continued use of UtahFutures
o
10th grade- Plan
• “PLAN” test to add to data
• Continued use of UtahFutures
• Research occupations based on assessment results
• FAFSA Forecaster
o
11th grade- Prepare
• Education Research
• Develop Next Step Goals
• Practice completing a College application
• Complete a Scholarship Search and Financial aid sort
• Complete Junior Year College Planning Checklist
• Attend Regional Financial Aid Night or other financial aid seminars
• PSAT and ACT
Using the Plan
 12th grade- Focus
• Compare schools for post high school education
• Complete in-depth Occupation Research Project
• Evaluate Next Step Options
• Complete and submit either college (any training beyond high school) or job application
• Complete FAFSA
• Senior Year College Checklist
• Complete Job Search Action Plan
• Complete Graduation Action Plan
• Attend Regional Financial Aid Night
• Attend College Tour/ Visit college campuses
• Complete any credit recovery necessary
• Take ACT and/or SAT
• Apprenticeships or internships
• Attend scholarship fairs and complete all applications for applicable scholarships
• Attend career/job fairs
FAQ
o Why CCR?
• We want Iron County students to be successful. Governor Herbert shared the following information relating to
unemployment: Utah's working age citizens with a BACHELOR’S DEGREE OR HIGHER have a 4% unemployment
rate; for eligible citizens with only a high school diploma the unemployment rate is almost 10%; and the unemployment
rate for high school dropouts is an alarming 16%.
• THE MESSAGE: CONTINUE YOUR EDUCATION (1, 2, 4 or more) AND TRAIN FOR A SPECIFIC CAREER.....
FAQ
o Why start in 6th grade?
• Career exploration begins early. The more formalized approach of CCR is due to our desire to see
students succeed.
• The latest ACT research indicates that the academic levels achieved by 8th grade have a large impact on
College and Career Readiness. If we want to maximize College and Career Readiness, we need to
intervene at the upper elementary and middle school levels.
FAQ
o If students change their minds, will they be able to change their pathways?
• Absolutely! Interests and skills can change and a student’s pathway can be adjusted as necessary.
o What if students don’t want to do what the assessments suggest?
• If students already have a postsecondary plan, they need not change. However, they will still benefit from
the CCR program as they can research the career they have selected and evaluate their own skills, interests
and aptitudes.
Unlocking the Future
o Students will graduate with a plan for their future, and have already taken steps to
ensure that plan.
o Students will graduate with necessary employability skills.
o Students will graduate prepared for continued education in their chosen pathway.