Section 92-47-003 - Specific Requirements for Initial Approval and Continued Operation of Career Academy Programs Established by School Districts003.01 Planning for Initial Approval Each school district establishing a Career Academy Program shall conduct a planning process to be completed prior to submitting the application for initial approval. The planning process shall include the following:
003.01A Establish a Career Academy Program Taskforce consisting of representatives of education, business, industry and the community to assist in conducting the planning process which shall include but is not limited to:003.01A1 Evaluation of the applicant district's current career technical education Program of Study offerings, career guidance, and extended learning opportunities.003.01A2 Identification of needed Career Academy Program's Program(s) of Study based on regional and state workforce and economic development needs.003.01A3 Identification of technical skill assessment, industry certifications, work-based learning, career student organization and extended learning opportunities that could be available through a Career Academy Program's Program of Study.003.01A4 Identification of the potential for alignment of career academy Programs of Study to postsecondary educational institution(s) offering instruction in the same Career Cluster.003.01A5 Identification of needed staffing and professional development.003.01A6 Identification of private entity partners and potential resources.003.01A7 Identification of the opportunities for collaboration with other district(s), Educational Service Unit(s), Learning Community, postsecondary educational institution(s) or private entity(s) in the establishment and operation of the Career Academy Program.003.02 Required Career Academy Program Components003.02ACurriculum. Career Academy Program curriculum shall include the following courses: 003.02A1 A credit-bearing career exploration course which introduces students to the Nebraska Career Education Model in preparation for a Career Academy Program, and003.02A2 A Program of Study that includes: 003.02A2a A credit-bearing introductory course within the scope of the Career Academy Program's Program of Study, and003.02A2b A minimum of two credit-bearing career technical education courses to develop the appropriate knowledge and skill in preparation for employment or entrepreneurship in the Career Academy Program's Program of Study, and003.02A2c One or more academic courses offered for credit with the course content taught in the context of the Career Academy Program's Program of Study.003.02B Career Development. A Career Academy Program shall include a program of career development including but not limited to:003.02B1 Career information including career interests and aptitude assessments, labor market data, and postsecondary education and training options.003.02B2 Career exploration and planning activities.003.02B3 Personal Learning Plans.003.02B4 Opportunities to learn and practice the Nebraska Standards for Career Ready Practice as standards adopted by the Nebraska State Board of Education.003.02C Career Student Organizations. A Career Academy Program shall include a district level chapter of the career student organization aligned to the focus of the Career Academy Program's Program of Study.003.02DWork-Based Learning. Career Academy Programs shall include work-based learning that provides a range of experiences that are intentionally designed to help students to extend and deepen classroom instruction through experiences in the employment sector that may include but are not limited to internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, or business/industry visits and explorations.003.02ERecruitment of Students. The school district, collaborating with identified Career Academy Program's partners, shall develop a process for the recruitment of students. The process shall include the following components:003.02E1 Communication and marketing efforts in the district to parents, students, community members and non-academy teachers;003.02E2 Student career interest and aptitude surveys or assessments; and003.02E3 Student application and acceptance policies determined by the school district.003.02FInstructors. The school district shall secure the services of teachers who meet the requirements of Nebraska Department of Education, Title 92, Chapters 21 and 24. Teachers shall hold a valid Nebraska Teaching Certificate.003.03 Participation Participation of students in any Career Academy Program approved under this Chapter shall be voluntary.
003.04 Advisory Board A local Career Academy Program advisory board shall be established with membership representing key stakeholders from education and business.
003.04A The advisory board shall be comprised of no less than fifty-one percent (51%) business members not currently employed by the school district.003.04B The advisory board shall meet a minimum of one time during a school year.003.04C The advisory board shall provide guidance and direction for the operation of the Career Academy Program including but not limited to:003.04C1 Aligning the Career Academy Program to economic and labor market needs;003.04C2 Identifying external partners;003.04C3 Securing and allocating financial, material and personnel resources;003.04C4 Aligning curriculum and instruction including, but not limited to coursework, graduation requirements; career academy program exit requirements, and postsecondary educational institution(s) entrance requirements;003.04C5 Securing work-based learning opportunities;003.04C6 Identifying needed professional development; and003.04C7 Evaluating the Career Academy Program's effectiveness;92 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 47, § 003