APS raises the bar with career-focused programs

When a Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE) program receives industry certification it’s recognition that the program’s curriculum is aligned with industry standards. For students, it represents high quality instruction aimed at providing better career opportunities. For employers, it means that a highly skilled, future workforce is being groomed inside of our high schools.

The Georgia Department of Education refers to industry certification as a “stamp of excellence.” After a formal, rigorous review conducted by business and industry leaders as well as the Georgia Department of Education, four of our APS CTAE programs were recently given this stamp of excellence and they deserve a huge round of applause!

In addition to the curriculum and instruction alignment, the following CTAE program components are also evaluated and strengthened during the review process:  lab areas, equipment, industry/community involvement, Work-based Learning Opportunities, Career, Technical Student Organizations (CTSOs), instructor qualification and program safety.  Career and Technical programs align with the district’s mission that says we will make it our duty to graduate students ready for both college and careers.

Congratulations to Atlanta Public Schools’ Office of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education, our principals, teachers and everyone involved at the following schools:

• The engineering program at Alonzo A. Crim High School was certified by the Internal Technology and Engineering Educators Association.  Teacher:  Phyllis Lucy
• The culinary arts program at Therrell High School was certified by the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation and the GaDOE.    Teacher:  Dione Harper Jones
• The business education program at Mays High School was certified by the Society of Human Resource Management and the GaDOE.   Teachers: Connie Duncan, Angela Bateman, Deborah Jones, Hazel Marshall and Daffie Hicks
• The business education at North Atlanta High School was certified by the Society of Human Resource Management and the GaDOE.  Teachers:  Dwionne Freeman, Lorraine Bowen, Marcus Minnifield and Franchesca Thompson

“As we build strong teams and strong schools, it is important that we focus on the quality of instruction and program offerings throughout the district.  We are committed to excellence in education and preparing our students to be college and career ready,” said Michael Maze, director of Career, Technical and Agricultural Education.

I couldn’t agree more. Well done!