Nebraska Career Academy Programs
Career-Themed Core Courses
Integration of Leadership Education
Hands-On Workplace Experience
In 2012, the Nebraska Unicameral passed legislation requiring the Nebraska Department of Education to establish quality standards and operational guidelines for career academy programs in Nebraska secondary schools. The intent is to ensure quality career academy programs across the state and to establish an evaluative process to measure effectiveness of career academies.
Why Participate?
Increased student engagement through Career Academy Programs has been a linked to increased high school completion and entering into postsecondary education. Through Career Academy participation at the secondary level students have the opportunity to explore career fields of interest to better determine which pathway is an appropriate fit prior to entering post-secondary education or directly entering the workforce. Core academic classes taught in a contextualized way allows students to clearly link core concepts to application in career fields.
Increased…
- Graduation Rate
- GPA
- Student Engagement
- Credits Earned
- Students sense of belonging
- Relevance of work
- Real-world application of content
- Post-secondary education enrollment
Who Benefits?
Communities
- Career Academy programs are identified based on local economic and workforce development needs
- Students learn of opportunities in their local communities that may entice them to return the area after post-secondary education
- Advisory board consists of community members to guide work within the school to be rigorous and relevant to industry needs
Students
- “Try on” a career field of interest
- Core courses integrate technical content
- Build leadership skills
- Gain workplace experience
- Value learning and feel a sense of belonging
Employers
- Build positive relationships with the school district and students
- Identify students that may be future employees or business partners
- Mentor students in identifying career interests through on-site experiences
Schools
- Improved academic performance due to increased student engagement
- Observe fewer attendance issues
- Build positive relationships with local businesses
Community Colleges
- Career Academy programs are identified based on local economic and workforce development needs
A Sampling of Nebraska Career Academies...
Business, Marketing, and Management: Accounting
Agricultural, Food and Natural Resources: Veterinary Science
Communication & Information Technology: Programming & Software Development
Skilled & Technical Sciences: Construction
Health Sciences: Therapeutic Certification Services
Family & Consumer Sciences: Early Childhood Development & Services
Contact
Resources
Rule 47 Career Academy Program Application
These regulations, often referred to as Rule 47, define a career academy program as:
A sequence of credit-bearing academic and career technical courses which reflect a Career Cluster selected in response to local, regional or state employment needs and demand for expertise.
In developing Rule 47, the Nebraska Department of Education researched best practices from across the nation. In addition, the requirements addressed in Rule 47 are based on the work of the National Career Academy Coalition and their National Standards of Practice.
To view Rule 47 in its entirety, please visit:
Nebraska Department of Education: Rule 47
Regulations for Career Academy Programs Established by School Districts