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RCPS 2019 CTAE graduation rate tops 96%
Posted on 11/05/2019
Image with RCPS CTAE logo says "96.37 graduation rate 2019"Conyers, Ga. – The graduation rate for Rockdale County Public Schools (RCPS) students involved in Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) programs has reached 96.37 percent, closely aligned with the state-wide rate which rose to 96.54 percent for 2019. This rate applies to students who complete a Career Pathway.

“Students are more engaged in their learning when they see the relevance and can relate it to real life experiences,” said Superintendent Dr. Terry Oatts. “We have expanded our career pathway offerings to provide a wide variety of opportunities for students to connect with a pathway of their interests. We have also expanded our Work Based Learning Program to give students hands-on learning experiences to complement their coursework. Our goal is to give students every opportunity to be successful, whether that is pursuing higher education, military service and careers upon graduation.”

RCPS offers 31 Career Pathways in high school and has eight middle school CTAE program offerings. The high school Career Pathways include Audio-Video Technology and Film, Automobile Maintenance & Light Repair, Business Accounting, Business & Technology, Companion Animal Systems, Computer Science, Construction/Carpentry, Culinary Arts, Cybersecurity, Early Childhood Care and Education I & II, Engineering and Technology, Entrepreneurship, Fashion Merchandising & Retail Management, Financial Services, Interiors Fashion & Textiles, Law Enforcement/Criminal Investigations, Manufacturing, Marine Corps JROTC, Nutrition & Food Science, Programming, Sports & Entertainment Marketing, Teaching as a Profession, Therapeutic Services/Allied Health & Medicine, Therapeutic Services/Exercise Physiology, Therapeutic Services/Patient Care, Therapeutic Services/Surgical Technology, Veterinary Science, Web & Digital Design, Welding. The middle school CTAE program offerings include Business Management & Finance, Communications, Computer Science, Engineering & Technology, Family & Consumer Science, Healthcare Science, Marketing, Transportation (Aerospace).

The Work-Based Learning program at RCPS has expanded to 159 students at 96 area employers, with 94 percent of those placements aligned to the student’s Career Pathway.

State School Superintendent Richard Woods said, “Our goal in education is to prepare students to live fulfilling lives. We want students to find careers they love. We want them to use their skills and talents to contribute to their communities and build the future of our state. Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education makes that happen by connecting Georgia’s K-12 schools with business and industry and helping students see the relevance of their education. This year’s graduation rate shows the program continues to succeed.”

Georgia’s CTAE program leverages partnerships with industry and higher education to make sure students are ready to take their next step after high school. Students can take courses in more than 100 Career Pathways within 17 Career Clusters, earn recognized industry credentials, participate in work-based learning and apprenticeship opportunities, and serve as leaders through membership in co-curricular Career and Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs).

CTAE is for all students, and Career Pathway completers are prepared to pursue higher education (through the University System of Georgia, Technical College System of Georgia, or another institution), enter the military, accept an apprenticeship opportunity or immediately begin their career.

For more information about CTAE Career Pathways offered at RCPS, contact RCPS CTAE Director Dionne Johnigan at [email protected]. For more information about Work-Based Learning at RCPS, contact Work-Based Learning /Youth Apprenticeship Program Coordinator Tami Maddox at [email protected].