Course Catalog 2018_w_ CTE draft

PULASKI COUNTY GOVERNOR’S SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND MATHEMATICS ACADEMY

The Pulaski County Governor’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy will provide rigorous academic content concentrating on three career pathways: Engineering and Technology, Production, and Construction. Student learning and achievement will be enhanced through the integration of core academics, a STEM-focused curriculum, applied technology, and increased participation in career and technical student organization leadership events. The overall goals of the Pulaski County Governor’s STEM Academy are to provide students with 21 st center, STEM-enriched technological skills and the knowledge necessary to succeed in postsecondary education and in the world of work. This will be accomplished through authentic, rigorous, project-based work while building partnerships with parents and community and business leaders to meet these goals. The Pulaski County Governor’s STEM Academy is designed to give students in grades nine through twelve the opportunity to explore several career paths while incorporating Virginia’s Workplace Readiness Skills for the Commonwealth. Career pathways prepare students for programs leading to bachelor’s degrees, two-year associate degrees, apprenticeships, and employment. Students may complete a study of the following courses in Pulaski County’s STEM Academy: Welding I, Welding II-Dual Enrollment, Welding III-Dual Enrollment, Electricity I, Electricity II-Dual Enrollment, Carpentry I, Carpentry II-Dual Enrollment, Carpentry III-Dual Enrollment, Materials and Processes Technology, Manufacturing Systems I, Manufacturing Systems II, Advanced, Criminal Justice I, Criminal Justice II, Engineering Explorations, and Engineering Analysis and Applications II. Students must meet the following criteria to be selected for the Pulaski County Governor’s STEM Academy:  Recommendation from a teacher, school counselor, school administrator, or the Academy director  Complete Pulaski County Governor’s STEM Academy application  Minimum 2.5 GPA  Passing scores on the highest level attained on the English and mathematics Standards of Learning tests  Complete the New River Community College online application (11 th and 12 th grade students) Students who are selected for the Academy will be required to meet the following criteria to complete the program successfully:  Maintain a minimum 2.5 overall grade-point average  Recommendation from the Academy program area teacher  Successfully complete the necessary dual enrollment placement test  Complete dual enrollment credit courses and earn a “C” or better in the course  Passing scores on the highest level attained on the English and mathematics Standards of Learning tests  Complete courses within a specific pathway in the STEM Engineering and Technology, Architecture & Construction, and Production Career Clusters  Achieve one or more of the following: an industry certification, at least nine transferrable college credits, or an Associate Degree  Complete school/community service and complete a Senior Project  Adhere to the student code of conduct and attendance policies

SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES

Pulaski County High School, in accordance with state and federal laws, offers a wide range of services for students with special needs. Services for students with speech and language delays, hearing impairments, behavior disabilities, visual impairments, learning and developmental disabilities and physical disabilities are among those available to satisfy Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Services in technical assessment and transition planning are an integral part of programs for special needs students. Students qualify for these services using criteria established in Public Law 94-142. Referral, testing, and placement services are facilitated by the Exceptional Student Services of Pulaski County Schools.

CAREER PATHWAYS

Pulaski County Schools is a member of New River Valley Career Pathways Consortium and partners with secondary and post- secondary educators, businesses, and employers. The goal of this program is to provide students information on careers in Virginia and the New River Valley. A “career pathway” is coherent sequence of rigorous academic and career/technical courses that begin in the 9 th grade and can lead to an associate, baccalaureate or further degree, an industry-recognized certificate, and/or licensure.