Each middle and secondary school provides for the early
identification and enrollment of students in a program with a range of
educational and academic experiences related to college and career readiness in
and outside the classroom, including an emphasis on experiences that will
motivate disadvantaged and minority students to prepare for a career or
postsecondary education.
Each elementary, middle and secondary school provides for the
identification by all students of personal interests and abilities to support
planning for postsecondary opportunities and career preparation. Such support
includes provision of information concerning exploration of career cluster
areas in elementary schools, and course information and planning for college
preparation programs, opportunities for educational and academic experiences in
and outside the classroom, including internships and work-based learning, and
the multiple pathways to college and career readiness in middle and high
school.
Beginning in the elementary school years, students explore the
different occupations associated with career clusters and select an area or
areas of interest. Students begin the development of an academic and career
plan portfolio (ACPP) in elementary grades to include information about interests,
values such as dependability and responsibility, and skills supporting
decisions about their future interests and goals. The information contained in
the ACPP serves as the foundation for creating the Academic and Career Plan
(ACP) in grade seven.
In middle school, students complete a locally selected career
interest inventory and select a career pathway. To support development of the
ACP, students complete at least one course in career investigation selected
from the career and technical education state-approved list, or a school
division-provided alternative means of delivering the career investigation
course content, provided that the alternative is equivalent in content and
academic rigor.
The School Board may require such courses in career investigation
at the high school level as it deems appropriate, subject to approval by the
Board of Education. The School Board may require such courses in career
investigation at the elementary school level as it deems appropriate.
All schools continue development of a personal ACP with each
seventh-grade student with completion by the end of the fall semester of the
student's eighth-grade year. The components of the ACP include the student's
program of study for high school graduation and a postsecondary career pathway
based on the student's academic and career interests. In high school, a
career-related learning experience is chosen by the student and documented in
the ACP.
The ACP is developed in accordance with guidelines established
by the Board of Education and signed by the student, student's parent or
guardian, and school official or officials designated by the principal. The ACP
is included in the student's record and is reviewed and updated annually.
Lists, as compiled annually by the Department of Education and provided to the
School Board, of 1) the top 100 professions in Virginia by median pay and the
education, training and skills required for each such profession and 2) the top
10 degree programs at institutions of higher education in Virginia by median
pay of program graduates are included as part of each student’s ACP.
Beginning in the middle school years, students are counseled on
opportunities for beginning postsecondary education and opportunities for
obtaining industry certifications, occupational competency credentials, or
professional licenses in a career and technical education field prior to high
school graduation. Such opportunities include access to at least three Advanced
Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or Cambridge courses or three
college-level courses for degree credit pursuant to 8 VAC 20-131-100. Students taking advantage of such
opportunities are not denied participation in school activities for which they
are otherwise eligible. Wherever possible, students are encouraged and afforded
opportunities to take college courses simultaneously for high school graduation
and college degree credit (dual enrollment), under the following conditions:
- Written approval of the high school principal prior to
participation in dual enrollment must be obtained;
- The college must accept the student for admission to
the course or courses; and
- The course or courses must be given by the college for
degree credits (no remedial courses will be accepted).
Legal Reference(s):
Code of Virginia, Section(s) 22.1-253.13:1, 22.1-253.13:3.
8 VAC 20-131-140.
Guidelines for Academic and Career Plans (Adopted by the Virginia Board of Education Sept 17, 2009).
Cross Reference(s):
318P, Instruction- Career and Technical Education
324P, Instruction- School Guidance and Counseling Programs
416P, Students- Student Scholastic Records
Adopted: June 16, 2020