Timothy M. Kaine, Governor
For Immediate Release - January 4, 2008
Contact: Gordon Hickey
Phone: (804) 225-4260 (804) 371-2420
Phone: Cell (804) 291-8977
www.governor.virginia.gov
VDOE Contacts:
Charles Pyle
Director of Communications
(804) 371-2420
Julie Grimes
Public Information Officer
(804) 225-2775
www.doe.virginia.gov
Governor Kaine Announces Grants For First Governor's Career And Technical Academies
~ Academies to Prepare Students for 21st-Century Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics ~
RICHMOND – Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced grants to establish the Commonwealth's first Governor's Career and Technical Academies. The six academies will provide instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and are being developed as partnerships among schools divisions, employers, business organizations, and colleges and universities.
"These academies will combine programs based on local and state economic and employment needs with rigorous academics and opportunities for applied learning in science, technology, engineering and mathematics," said Governor Kaine. "The academies will prepare young men and women for rewarding careers while ensuring that communities have the highly skilled workers necessary to compete in the global economy."
Each partnership will receive a $20,000 planning grant, followed by a $100,000 implementation award upon program approval by the Board of Education and the State Council of Higher Education.
The six academies will build on existing programs at the high school and postsecondary levels and align instruction in science, technology, engineering and mathematics with 21st-century workplace and postsecondary expectations. The academies will serve as models for career and technical education programs that expand options for students and equip them with the knowledge, skills and credentials required for high-demand and high-wage careers. The six grantees were selected from twenty-two applications. A grant review process with independent reviewers was instituted to review and evaluate the proposals.
The planning and start-up funding for the academies is being provided through a $500,000 grant from the National Governors Association (NGA) Center for Best Practices to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics education. The grant program is supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Intel Corp. and is the centerpiece of NGA Chairwoman and Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano's Innovation America initiative to increase high school rigor. Virginia was one of six states to receive a grant and is providing matching support with federal Workforce Investment Act funds.
The NGA grant also is supporting the development by the Virginia Career Education Foundation of a "Governor's Exemplary Standards Awards Program" to maintain high standards for career and technical education programs and to engage educators, business leaders and state, regional and local officials in a process of continuous improvement.
The funded programs are:
- Agricultural Science Academy, Halifax County – The program will prepare students for careers in forestry management and leadership in forestry-related industries, including agriculture, biotechnology and manufacturing. Partners include Halifax County Public Schools; Southern Virginia Higher Education Center, Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension; WoodLINKS USA, Morgan Lumber, Ontario Hardwood and J.M. Huber Corp.
- Governor's Academy for Innovation, Technology and Engineering, Newport News – The program will focus on electrical and mechanical engineering with instruction provided at high schools in participating school divisions, online and at Thomas Nelson Community College. Partners include Gloucester County, Williamsburg-James City County, Poquoson, York County, Newport News and Hampton public schools and New Horizons Career and Technical Advisory Committee; Thomas Nelson Community College and Old Dominion University; Virginia Space Grant Consortium and NASA Langley Research Center; Northrup Grumman Corp. and Apprentice School; and Peninsula Council for Workforce Development and Greater Peninsula Workforce Investment Board.
- Governor's Career and Technical Academy in Arlington, Arlington County – 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 include Arlington Public Schools; Northern Virginia Community College, American Association of Community Colleges, DeVry University and Virginia Tech; Arlington Economic Development; American Service Center and Arlington Employment Center; National Science Foundation; Micron, Nortel Telecommunications and Viral Media Productions; and Farrish of Fairfax, Passport Chrysler, Passport Nissan and Passport Infiniti.
- Fostering Innovation and Relevance Through STEM and Trades (FIRST), Suffolk – The program at the Pruden Center for Industry will focus on engineering and industrial trades, health sciences, automotive technology, information technology and human services. Partners include Suffolk and Isle of Wight County public schools; Tidewater Community College and Paul D. Camp Community College; Suffolk Economic Development; Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) and Mymic LLC; and Hampton Roads Research Partnership and the Joint Forces Commission.
- Pathways Academy, Russell County – The program will focus on science, technology, engineering, mathematics and will include correlated "hands-on" instruction in science and mathematics for middle school students. Dual-enrollment classes offered at the University of Virginia's College at Wise (UVA-Wise) Technology Center in Lebanon will be offered to students in Russell, Dickenson, Tazewell, Scott and Lee counties. Partners include Russell County Public Schools; Southwest Virginia Community College, UVA-Wise and Southwest Virginia Higher Education Center; Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and Russell County Industrial Development Authority; Russell County Board of Supervisors and Town of Lebanon; Northrup Grumman Corp., International Automotive Components, Appalachian Power Co. and CGI-AMS.
- Stafford Career and Technical Academy, Stafford County – The program will focus on information technology, mathematics and engineering with instruction provided at three locations — Brooke Point High School, North Stafford High School and Stafford High School. Partners include Stafford and Spotsylvania county public schools; University of Mary Washington, University of Virginia's Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service and Germanna Community College; Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Fredericksburg Regional Alliance, Rappahannock Small Business Development Center, Stafford County Economic Development, Virginia Employment Commission and the Stafford County Workforce Investment Board; and Diversified Educational Systems, Employment Resources, The Free Lance-Star, Hilldrup Cos., Mary Washington Hospital, R.L. Williams and Stafford Rotary.
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