Governor's Career & Technical Academy in Arlington

Project Title: Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington (GCTAA)

Project Lead: Northern Virginia Community College

Program Focus: The program at the Arlington Career Center will integrate instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics in five focus areas — automotive, digital media, information technology, emergency medical services and engineering.

Partners: Northern Virginia Community College and Arlington County Public Schools are co-lead partners for the Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington. Partners include The American Service Center; Arlington Employment Center; Passport Nissan; Nortel Telecommunications; The American Youth Policy Forum; Viral Media Productions; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Other supporters include The American Association of Community Colleges; Arlington Economic Development; DeVry University; Farrish of Fairfax; National Science Foundation; Nortel Telecommunications; Passport Chrysler; and Passport Infiniti.

Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington website

Board Of Education Approved Governor’s Academy Application

Executive Summary

Partnership Members: Northern Virginia Community College and Arlington County Public Schools are co-lead partners for the Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington. Partners include The American Service Center; Arlington Employment Center; Passport Nissan; Nortel Telecommunications; The American Youth Policy Forum; Viral Media Productions; and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Other supporters include The American Association of Community Colleges; Arlington Economic Development; DeVry University; Farrish of Fairfax; National Science Foundation; Nortel Telecommunications; Passport Chrysler; and Passport Infiniti.

Lead Entity: Northern Virginia Community College

Fiscal Agent: Northern Virginia Community College

Contact Person:
Mr. Milan Hayward
Special Assistant for Career and Technical Education
Northern Virginia Community College
4001 Wakefield Chapel Road
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-323-2263
E-mail: mhayward@nvcc.edu

Academy Location:
The Arlington Career Center
816 South Walter Reed Drive
Arlington, VA 22204

Number of Students Served: At least 50 students will be served during the 2008-2009 academic year, while up to 600 will be served at full implementation in the 2012-2013 academic year.

Career Pathways: Engineering and Technology, Audio and Video Technology and Film, (Health Sciences) Support Services, Information and Support Services, Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance

Academy Goals and Description: The Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington promises a unique, jointly administered Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center, offering area CTE students the option of a five-year high school diploma/two-year college degree program. The Academy will be located within the Arlington Career Center and will open its doors in the fall of 2008 as a part-day program. Students will participate in featured dual enrollment CTE courses and supporting work place activities, along with continued study at their respective home schools. Over the next several years, an increasing number of CTE and academic subjects will be offered until the Academy also offers full-day programs as a comprehensive school.

The Academy's science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-infused curriculum will initially feature programs within five pathways: Audio and Video Technology and Film; Engineering and Technology; Facility and Mobile Equipment Maintenance; (Health Science) Support Services; and Information Support and Services. Additional programs in other pathways will be added as the Academy develops, providing broader academic and employment opportunities for more students. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University will provide staff development in Integrative STEM Education, helping the Academy assimilate a cross-disciplinary pedagogy in STEM/CTE education.

Expected student outcomes include improved high school graduation rates and enrollment in postsecondary education, as well as the reduced need for remediation and an increase in college student retention, transfer, and graduation. Relevant preparation for employment will be a hallmark of the Academy. Improvement in these areas will be effected through increasing STEM and CTE academic integration, strengthening the five featured pathways, training staff and raising awareness in STEM education, and improving data collection for continuous program improvement. Students will learn subject matter as appropriate through discovery, analysis, inquiry-based research, and on-the-job experience.

Highlights of the Academy:

The Governor's Academy will be a joint secondary/postsecondary institution.
Students can earn a college degree at no cost one year after high school graduation.
Dual enrollment opportunities will exist for grades 11, 12, and beyond.
Cross disciplinary pedagogy informed by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University's I-STEM Education program will be the major focus of staff development for teachers.
The flexible academy model will incorporate several pathways beyond the initial five over time.
Student job shadowing and internships will be available across a variety of disciplines.
Required Stretch projects will introduce students to real work-related projects.
Involved business partners will assist in keeping curriculum relevant.
Summer college course work will be available.
Students will be better prepared for work and additional higher education opportunities.

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