COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

P.O. BOX 2120

RICHMOND, VIRGINIA 23218-2120

SUPTS. MEMO NO. 223

October 29, 2004

INFORMATIONAL

TO:	Division Superintendents
FROM:	Jo Lynne DeMary Superintendent of Public Instruction
SUBJECT:	Virginia's Career Planning System Powered by Kuder

In support of Governor Mark Warners Path to Industry Certification initiative, the Virginia Department of Education and Virginia Career VIEW have entered into an agreement to provide career assessment services throughout the commonwealth. Through this agreement, the Kuder Career Planning System is being customized to meet the needs of Virginia students as Virginias Career Planning System, powered by Kuder. This unique system is available, free of charge, to all students enrolled in public schools, grades 7 through 12, and at the community college level.

Virginias Career Planning System provides a comprehensive, research-based approach to career exploration, planning, and development. This Internet-based system is available at http://www.va.kuder.com or www.vaview.org. It has a number of features that make it a very useful tool for students, counselors, and teachers. Some of the key features include:

— Research-based interest, skills, and work values assessments

— An electronic career portfolio that enables each student to establish and maintain an education plan, professional resume, and favorites list of occupational and education information

— Links to online state and national resources for expanded career planning, postsecondary options, and financial aid information

— An administrative database that can be used by districts to monitor student results, facilitate course and curriculum planning, and provide information for grant writing, reports, and budget requests

Training for Virginias Career Planning System began with the Virginia Career VIEW workshops held during September and October 2004. The next regional training workshops on Kuder implementation will be held November 4, 2004, at the Virginia Counselors Association Fall Conference at the Hotel Roanoke Conference Center. Additional Kuder regional training sessions are being planned for counselors, educators, and Career and Technical Education division staff members in the next several weeks.

Implementing the Virginia Career Planning System provides resources and data that can impact high school completion rates, promote postsecondary education, strengthen educational programs, and build awareness of local career opportunities. This system will also allow students to make more informed choices about their paths of learning. The database will be valuable to counselors, parents, college admissions personnel, and economic/workforce development agencies in documenting individual and aggregate student interests and skills. Having students participate in this project will provide data on interests and skills by occupational area for all students.

Begin using Virginias Career Planning System today. In order to get set up to use the system, schools need to complete a site information form. To download this form visit http://va.kuder.com, select administrators, and click on Site Information Form under Sign up today Completed forms should be returned to National Career Assessment Services, Inc. by fax at 515-993-5422 or e-mail to overtona@ncasi.com.

To learn more about what the system offers, visit http://va.kuder.com, select administrators, and choose resources for a 20-minute guided tour.

For additional information, please contact Robert Almond (ralmond@pen.k12.va.us), director of career and technical education, at 804-225-2847, or Angie Overton (overtona@ncasi.com), Virginia project coordinator, at 800-314-8972.

JLD/RAA/CEW/sgj